Luvian’s St Andrews' Archie McDiarmid blogs from Sauvignon Blanc Celebration in Marlborough

The major focus of the final day of Sauvignon 2019 was ‘Pursuit’ – both of new customers and of new styles – as New Zealand looks to broaden the appeal of its hero grape without losing the affection of the millions of customers worldwide who have super-charged the country’s remarkable growth as a winegrowing power.

Aussie backstop will safeguard Australian wine exports post-Brexit

Australia will continue to trade with the UK, its biggest export market by volume and third by value, on its current terms post-Brexit.

HMRC now issuing two new distilling licences a week as gin continues to soar

Those expecting to see gin fall from its pedestal will have to wait a little longer.

Fine wine more stable than gold as Burgundy drives record high for investment market

Burgundy thrived, Bordeaux consolidated and wine investment proved more stable than gold, according to the Liv-ex annual summary of the 2018 market, described as “a record breaking year”.

Looking ahead: Andrew Johnson, Woodwinters

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

Global wine markets: China shines as Brexit Britain picks up wooden spoon

The second annual ProWein Business Report looking at the attractiveness of international export markets for wine has placed China in pole position for the first time.

Rhône coops chase cru margins to balance tough market

Rhône Valley cooperatives are on a mission to premiumise their offering, as market pressures mean they can “no longer compete with the New World at £3 a bottle”.

Cognac sets new export record

Cognac exports have achieved their fourth consecutive year of growth, driven by continued thirst for the historic French brandy in the US.

Wine set to help global alcohol consumption to reach £830bn by 2022

A relatively sunny outlook is being forecast for the global alcohol industry over the next five years, with the wine set to see the largest portion of growth.

Global wine market grows value sales against static volume

“Short-sighted” Bordeaux En Primeur strategies leave little to no value for the trade

A “lack of wines priced attractively” has been blamed for a less than successful 2017 Bordeaux campaign.

Two restaurants closing a week, but UK dining scene shows reverse North-South divide

The number of licenced restaurant in the UK has fallen by -1.3% in the twelve months to March 2018, with the total number dining outlets also falling by 0.4%, according to the recent Market Growth Monitor report from CGA.

Cutty Sark set for sale as owner Edrington reports 7% growth

Famous Grouse, Macallan and Highland Park owner Edrington has reported a 7% uplift in sales despite ongoing challenges in the blended Scotch market.

Leading Spanish sangria to touch down in the UK

Spain’s Zamora Company has teamed up with independent distributor Indie Brands to launch its recently acquired premium sangria into the UK market.

Profile: Kingsland Drinks

By taking an holistic approach from sourcing to supply, Kingsland Drinks is injecting innovation along the way. Andrew Catchpole reports 

Maxxium UK rebrands in a bid to clarify market position

Maxxium UK, the UK’s sales and distribution arm of global companies Beam Suntory and Edrington has undergone an enormous period of change since 2009, when the head office of its global brand owners – then a mix of Edrington, Beam, Rémy Cointreau and former Absolut owner VMS – folded.

Balance of power shifts to producers as bulk wine outstrips bottled supply

Unpredictability is the new norm, securing supply has become more critical than price and power has shifted from buyers to producers.

Tre Bicchieri heads to London

As UK sales of Italian wine continue to boom, some of Italy’s top winemakers are converging in London next week for Tre Bicchieri Grand Tasting.

Conviviality sales surge 9.2% as market share grows

Sales at independent drinks distributor Conviviality surged by 9.2% to £836.3m in the 26 weeks to October 29 2017, the group announced today.

ADT suppliers up their Oz bids as competition ramps up from China and the US

A hardy – dare we suggest, typically Australian – attitude to price hikes and supply challenges was the main exhibit at yesterday’s Australia Day Tasting, where plenty of creative and business flair set out the category’s stall for 2018.