Sales at Pernod Ricard slump post-Covid

Organic sales at Pernod Ricard fell 9.5% as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, the company has reported, with revenues for the year to 30 June reaching €8.5bn.

Graft bolsters Australia and South African portfolios as it gears up for digital tasting

Graft Wine, last year’s merger of Red Squirrel and The Knotted Vine, is gearing up for a bumper month of activity in September, with two Southern Hemisphere additions joining the company as it takes its autumn tasting online.

Armit keeps up on-trade momentum with Liber Pater listing

Armit Wines is forging ahead with its plans to strengthen its position in the on-trade with a new addition to its supplier portfolio.

Gonzalez Byass launches new UK Manzanilla

Gonzalez Byass is to release a new Domecq Manzanilla in the UK made at Delgado Zuleta in Andalucia’s Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Accolade appoints new European marketing director

Accolade Wines has appointed Caroline Thompson-Hill to the role of European marketing director.

Birse-Stewart joins Berkmann’s Scottish team

Distributor Berkmann Wine Cellars has appointed Billy Birse-Stewart as consultant director.

Hallgarten invests in European portfolio with 40 new wines

Importers collective SPOT portfolio offers streamlined buying

Sometimes the best ideas are the most straight-forward ones; at least that’s the hope of Solano Peña-Lenzi from specialist wine importer Hispamerchants.

Amathus Drinks sets sights on first tasting event

Amathus Drinks is to hold its first wines and spirits portfolio tasting event this autumn.

Winetraders signs up Hampshire’s Exton Park

Winetraders has expanded its listings with the addition of English sparkling wine producer Exton Park.

Q&A: Kim Wilson and Joy Edmondson, North South Wines

Innovative, agile and on-trend, North South Wines is shaking up the traditional importer model. Andrew Catchpole meets its founders

LWF: Inverarity continues the Scottish march south

Scottish-based Inverarity Morton is using its second ever outing at London Wine Fair (LWF) to advance its focus on supplying the English trade, with a round of new agencies in its portfolio.

Hallgarten’s Andrew Bewes and Steve Daniel on selling style

Premium sales, progressive lists, and off-piste portfolio additions are Hallgarten’s calling cards, as Andrew Catchpole discovers

Fine Wine beats hedge funds and art works as stable investment

Fine wine is a less volatile investment than all other major alternative assets, according to a new report released today by fine wine investment management specialist Cult Wines.

Enotria opens up craft beer following major deals with Compass and Bidfood

Craft beer was one of the star attractions at Enotria’s latest annual portfolio tasting, as the pressure to diversify becomes stronger and stronger at the top level of distribution.

Berkmann signs distribution deal for Franciacorta producer Ca’ del Bosco

Berkmann Wine Cellars has announced a new partnership with Franciacorta producer Ca’ del Bosco.

Vindependents gin launch flags further expansion into spirits

The Vindependents has launched its first gin, with rum, bourbon, cognac and vodka to follow, as this independent merchant member-owned buying group looks to expand its portfolio into premium spirits.

Artadi joins Pol Roger

Pol Roger Portfolio has announced it will be distributing the wines of Spanish producer Bodegas Artadi, bringing the full range to the UK from November 1.

Distell to debut six expressions at inaugural malt whisky showcase

African company Distell is launching six limited release whiskies across its single malt portfolio this September to coincide with its first annual showcase event.

Hallgarten tasting unveils alternative classics and emerging regions with wide ranging portfolio boost

Hallgarten Wines signalled what it described as “a commitment to keeping price rises at a minimum” at its annual London tasting on 29 January, showing over 150 wines new to its portfolio, with many alternative appellations and new regions on show.