Friday Read: Charting Armit’s InVivo-backed ambitions

The annual Armit Wines portfolio tasting (pictured) aways brings a spot of vinous glamour to the busy London tasting calendar, following on from launch events for new vintages of the likes of 2023 Guidalberto and 2022 Sassicaia at various buzzing London restaurants for the lucky few. And, in addition to such highlights from its top Italian-leaning portfolio, this year the importer launched a new initiative in the form of what was modestly described as a ‘press lunch’, where various senior editors, writers and critics gathered to for a lively debate on how best to engage a younger generation with fine wines.

Profile: Fell’s stylish evolution

Following portfolio additions and a team restructure, there’s an upbeat mood at Fells, as Andrew Catchpole discovers.

Hallgarten adds Idris Elba-founded Porte Noire to portfolio

Hallgarten & Novum Wine has entered a partnership with luxury wine and Champagne brand, Porte Noire, which will see increased distribution of the brand’s wines across Hallgarten’s on and off-trade channels.

Craggy Range among Hallgarten NZ portfolio additions

The specialist importer has continued its portfolio expansion drive with the addition of Kiwi stalwarts Craggy Range of Hawke’s Bay, North Canterbury’s Pyramid Valley, SPOKE Winery hailing from Marlborough and Nelson’s Neudorf.

Mentzendorff adds Napa Valley icon to portfolio

Proof Drinks announces the passing of co-founder James McDermott

Proof Drinks has announced the sad passing of its co-founder, James McDermott, who will be missed by all at the independent spirits distributor as well as his colleagues in the industry.

Liberty expands Spanish portfolio offerings

Liberty Wines has announced new additions to its Spanish portfolio by becoming the exclusive UK distributor for Casa Castillo from Jumilla and Celler del Roure from Valencia.

Hallgarten continues portfolio expansion with Italian additions

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has announced an expansion to its already diverse Italian portfolio with the announcement of four new suppliers. The specialist wine importer says the addition of Tuscan-based Villa Saletta and Petra, Alois Lageder from Alto Adige and Prosecco producer, Masottina, will enhance its Italian range.

Alliance and H2Vin launch 2023 Burgundy en primeur

Alliance Wine is launching its first fully fledged Burgundy en primeur campaign thanks to the integration of wines from the newly acquired H2Vin portfolio.

Armit Wines invests in staff to support growth plans

Armit Wines is investing in new staff as part of its five-year strategy to build on its recent turnaround. 

Yapp expansion comes to the fore at autumn tasting

Yapp Brothers showed the full breadth of its portfolio at 67 Pall Mall this week, just months after a major move to new premises which not only doubled the size of its HQ, but has trebled the business’s capacity.

Profile: H&K Wine Agencies goes for Phoenician flavour

New business H&K Wine Agencies is building a portfolio from along the ancient Phoenician trade routes. Andrew Catchpole has an exclusive chat about their plans.

Liberty doubles down on ‘giving good reasons to buy’

Liberty Wines always comes out batting strong at its busy annual portfolio tasting at The Oval, and this year was no exception, with some 25 countries represented, along with fortified, spirits, alcohol free and olive oils.

The Wine Barn welcomes two new agencies into the fold

Leading specialist importer The Wine Barn has expanded its portfolio of German wineries with the addition of Grans-Fassian and Jürgen Ellwanger.

Amathus boosts booming Greek portfolio

Amathus Drinks has added 14 new Greek producers to its portfolio in response to strong growth in the category.

Howard Ripley Wines branches out with Jay Somers and Bob Lindquist

Independent wine importer Howard Ripley Wines has announced the signing of two US growers to its portfolio as it looks to expand beyond its long-standing flagship regions.

Musar turns to Fells for UK distribution

Lebanese producer Chateau Musar is to join the John E. Fells & Sons portfolio, adding to the roll call of leading family estates the importer represents in the UK.

Bancroft pushes into Greek top tier with 'experimental' Troupis

Wine from the Peloponnese is taking a significant step forwards into the UK market with the addition of low intervention wines from Troupis Winery, which has gained distribution via Bancroft Wines.

Howard Ripley embraces Central Europe

Howard Ripley Wines has taken the plunge in Central Europe, adding eight new producers from across the region to its portfolio.

Profile: Following on from FMV

Two years on from the dismemberment of FMV, Bancroft Wines is focusing on initiating its new producers into the ‘family’ in a post-Covid world. Jo Gilbert reports.