Top Selection bags award-winning Tuscan producer

London-based wine merchant Top Selection is to be the exclusive distributor for Tuscan producer Villa Saletta.

Bibendum launches major Bordeaux service

Leading UK distributor Bibendum Wine has launched a new initiative to streamline the sale of fine wines from Bordeaux to the UK on- and off-trade.

Waterkloof adds to Circumstance range

Paul Boutinot’s South African estate Waterkloof has added two new wines to its Circumstance range.

Diageo slashes 2020 expectations in wake of global volatility linked to coronavirus

Spirits giant Diageo has cut its sales expectations in global markets for the coming year, with the likelihood that the recent viral outbreak in China could further impact sales in 2020.

CIVB launches Hot 50 Bordeaux 2020 promotion

Vins de Bordeaux has announced a new initiative to promote Bordeaux wines in the UK market.

US and UK whisky industries demand action on tariffs

Whisky industry bodies on both sides of the Atlantic have issued a joint call for their respective governments to stop using tariffs on whisky as a proxy battle in unrelated trade disputes.

Essex and East Anglia primed for viticultural expansion say climate change researchers

Climate change researchers have pegged Essex and Norfolk as the next major areas to plant as warmer summers extend the area where grapes can be grown productively in the UK.

Silicon Valley entrepreneur to double capacity at Burgundy’s largest monopole

Chateau de Pommard, the Burgundy estate owned by American businessman Michael Baum, is undergoing a major winery upgrade in order to help launch the seven terroirs and soil-types of its walled vineyard Clos Marey-Monge into key markets.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The winemakers that changed the world…and those that made themselves redundant

Harpers columnist Jerry Lockspeiser is the former chairman of Off Piste Wines. Lockspeiser left at the end of 2019 after ten years at the company, which he helped to grow from ‘acorn to oak tree’ after joining back in 2010. His departure follows an investment in Off Piste just before Christmas, which will take the company into a new phase of development. Lockspeiser was also involved in the founding and building of Bottle Green in 1990 and organic wine specialist Vinceremos Wines in 1985. Here, he takes a reflective look back on 15 years that changed the wine world. 

Feel Good Grapes: All you need to know about the new online retailer

UK-based wine businessman and writer Mike Turner has added a new string to his bow for 2020. As well as running Please Bring Me My Wine, a wine industry focused digital media consultancy, and co-owning Primrose Hill restaurant La Ferme, where he oversees the wine list and wine training, he has launched a new online wine merchant.

Trump trade truce puts US tariffs on French wine on hold

The USA’s threat of slapping 100% tariffs on US$2.4 billion worth of French imports including wine and Champagne seems to have been put on hold after the countries’ leaders announced a ceasefire on Twitter.

Diageo Reserve hits the road for UK studios tour

Diageo is preparing to get bartenders revved up ahead of its annual World Class cocktail-making competition with a UK-wide ‘training tour’.

Smartphones boost consumer interest in wine while ‘knowledge’ slides

The world’s wine drinkers are quickly becoming a population of confident connoisseurs thanks to widespread access to the internet and the ubiquity of smartphones. But are they any more knowledgeable offline?

New MD steps up at Lanson UK ahead of major brand overhaul

Robert Rand has been appointed as The House of Lanson’s new UK managing director as the company prepares to unveil several far reaching changes to its range. 

Henschke manages fire woes while bolstered China and Armenia get a look in at Liberty tasting

Liberty Wines returned to The Oval for its annual shebang yesterday with a number of new stars to brighten up what turned out to be an exceptionally dismal afternoon weather-wise.

One in three drinkers cutting back on consumption

One-third of UK drinkers are consuming less alcohol than they were 12 months ago, according to new research.

Jascots lists Barbaresco producer Rivetti

London-based on-trade distributor Jascots has added organic Barbaresco and Barolo producer Massimo Rivetti to its list.

Events guide 2020: What not to miss

James Lawrence looks ahead to some of the essential trade dates across another busy year

Essex farmer launches first British grown Baijiu

Baijiu, China’s most popular and enduring spirit, has continued its outward march into international markets over the past year with a new London-based spirits body and a global partnership with Pernod Ricard.

Former Blue Peter presenter jumps ship to head up Mangrove marketing