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Duty reforms: What’s the cost for wine and spirits?

Published:  28 October, 2021

Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed plans to simplify the current alcohol duty regime during yesterday’s Budget, when it was revealed that the Treasury would be adopting a new principle of “the stronger the drink, the higher the rate”.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: Can we trade our way out of this mess?

Published:  28 October, 2021

Sitting in reception at one of the UK’s biggest supermarkets waiting for the wine buyer to appear for our appointment, I flicked through my newspaper. When he arrived, I hurriedly stuffed the paper into my briefcase, but not before the buyer had caught sight of it. “Ah, you are one of those are you?” he said, having identified my copy of The Guardian.

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English and welsh producers celebrate end to sparkling ‘Super tax’

Published:  27 October, 2021

The news that the duty premium on sparkling wine being sold in the UK has been removed has been met with encouragement from the English and Welsh wine sector.

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Business rates for hospitality cut by 50% for one year

Published:  27 October, 2021

Today’s Budget announcement included a year-long cut to business rates for the leisure and retail industry, meaning pubs, restaurants and bars will pay 50% less for 12 months.

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Landmark overhaul for alcohol duty is the biggest shakeup in 140 years

Published:  27 October, 2021

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the most radical simplification of alcohol duties for over a century by slashing the number of main duty rates from 15 to six, while also cutting the premium on sparkling wine.

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Kingsland Drinks backs eco wine brand with new listings

Published:  27 October, 2021

Kingsland Drinks is expanding the reach of eco wine brand The Hidden Sea with new listings in both Booths and Asda.

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SLTA issues call for ‘level playing field’ in pubs and supermarkets duty

Published:  27 October, 2021

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) is calling on the Government to overhaul the alcohol excise duty system and introduce new measures that would create a differential between alcohol sold in pubs and supermarkets.

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Christmas 2021: An optimistic appraisal

Published:  27 October, 2021

The British tabloids have spoken: Christmas 2021 is unlikely to yield much festive cheer. Unfortunately, this isn’t simply press hyperbole – the UK’s food industry is under enormous pressure, while retail supply chains continue to be stymied by a lack of HGV drivers.

Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a set of data in September which confirmed that the on-trade staffing crisis has not abated. “Sourcing staff has been one of our biggest challenges since we reopened,” says Avinash Shashidhara, head chef at Pali Hill restaurant in London.

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Aperol supremacy continues to drive UK growth for Campari

Published:  26 October, 2021

The UK has been trading positively showing a “solid performance” with sales up 42.5% for the first nine months of 2021, Campari Group has revealed.

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Over 100 vinous gems take centre stage at inaugural Sud De France tasting

Published:  26 October, 2021

Over 100 wines, including Armagnac, from the southern French Region of Occitanie, will be showcased at a wine tasting in London this month, focusing in the region's litte-known wines. 

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Soapbox: Why 2021’s skills shortage could be the best thing to happen to the hospitality industry

Published:  26 October, 2021

For many workers in hospitality, it’s not only low pay, but aggression and isolation that are the norm. It’s time to change things, says Simon King, former operations director for Gordon Ramsay Group and co-owner of new Surrey gastropub The Victoria Oxshott.

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Aldi launches premium Winemasters’ Lot wines for festive season

Published:  25 October, 2021

Aldi is introducing a ‘super premium’ wine range, Winemasters’ Lot, in time for the festive season, to complement and build on their Specially Selected selection. The wines will be available from 8 November, available in stores and online.

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Ribera del Duero Top 100 Tasting to be hosted by Tim Atkin MW

Published:  25 October, 2021

Tim Atkin MW and Harpers columnist is to host his annual Ribera del Duero Top 100 Tasting, which will showcase the best wines from the region in 2021.

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Indigo Wine adds new producers to portfolio

Published:  21 October, 2021

Indigo Wine is adding a range of new producers to its portfolio, spanning some of the wine world’s most distant regions.

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New Zealand deal is a ‘win’ for business

Published:  21 October, 2021

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed news of a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, which could lead to the removal of all tariffs on goods between the two countries.

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Ventisquero appoints Les Caves de Pyrène as distributor for Tara label

Published:  21 October, 2021

Chilean producer Ventisquero Wine Estates (VWE) has appointed Les Caves de Pyrène as distributor for its Tara brand.

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UK in ‘good growth’ for Pernod Ricard

Published:  21 October, 2021

Pernod Ricard has revealed it has seen a very ‘dynamic start’ in all regions for the first quarter of FY22, with robust demand and strong shipments ahead of the festive season.

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Sparkling wine premium could be scrapped in alcohol duty overhaul

Published:  19 October, 2021

Reports from the national press suggest that the premium on sparkling wine duty could be scrapped by chancellor Rishi Sunak in the upcoming Autumn Budget in a move which could bring sparkling wine duty in line with still.

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WSTA makes further calls for duty freeze

Published:  19 October, 2021

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is again calling on the Government to freeze alcohol duty as consumers face record high prices over the festive period.

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RTDs continue to grow boosted by hard seltzers and FABs

Published:  19 October, 2021

The market for ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol products continues to show traction and demand from consumers, according to a new study from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

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