US on-trade reopening gives near-future glimpse of path ahead for UK

Reduced food and drink ranges, continued off-trade sales, ongoing food take-out, plus the need for support from suppliers to ‘optimise drinks assortments’ are among the main takeaways from a recent Nielsen CGA survey of the US restaurant and bar sectors.

Friday Read: UK wineries battle coronavirus crisis with British determination

Rapidly slowing exports, a pivoting to direct to consumer sales as on-trade sales stall and vineyards on lock down – such is the picture of the UK wine industry today as it grapples with the ongoing disruption from the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Jerry Lockspeiser: The essential Christmas gift for every wine entrepreneur

About twenty years ago I tried to sell a sparkling wine from Italy that was almost unknown in the UK market. We were a significant supplier to the major retailers and worked closely with them on new product development ideas, from lesser known grape varieties, regions and countries, to new styles and packaging for better-known wines. My Italian sparkling wine was from a medium sized organic producer whose wines we had won listings for, but the buyers felt that it was not well known enough in our market and wouldn’t sell. It was, of course, Prosecco.

Pinot Grigio - the end of the affair?

Ines Salpico reports on a strategic rethink as sales of Italy’s favourite white experiences a dramatic fall.

Daniel Lambert offering up the wine trip of a lifetime

Daniel Lambert Wines has the dream round-the-world ticket up for grabs to the winner of its new independent incentive scheme.

Liv-ex releases 2019 classification

Wine buyers continue to diversify away from Bordeaux, according to the latest biennial classification list from global wine-trading platform Liv-ex, released today.

Accolade Wines launches first Echo Falls Malbec

Accolade Wines is to extend its Echo Falls range with a Malbec variant.

Mini wine bottles and fruit flavoured blends help Broadland’s sales soar to £70m

Broadland Wineries has seen sales jump 11.6% to £70.6m in the 12 months to the end of March 2019 helped by fruit flavoured blends and mini wine bottles.

Californian wine under £20 boosts UK sales

US wine exports to the UK have seen a slip in value but a rise in volume, thanks largely to a growth in buyer interest in a previously difficult-to-source section of the market. 

Climate change leaving Beaujolais in fear of being priced out of the market by cereal and milk

The temperature is rising in Beaujolais, leaving producers to worry their products will be edged out of consumers’ repertoires by rival crops.

Sales of English and Welsh wine double in 2018

The English and Welsh wine industry produced a record-breaking amount of wine last year thanks to a frost-free spring and a long, mostly dry summer.

Looking ahead: Ian Harris MBE, chief executive, WSET

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

Differing States: US wine regions on the rise

It’s been just over a decade since North Dakota, the final state to host a winery, joined the party, adding to the substantial growth of many states’ wine tourism and consequent direct consumer sales. California’s primacy remains constant, though its share of US production continues to slide from what

California soul

Travelling with fellow MWs in the Golden State, Natasha Hughes MW delves far beyond the usual suspects.

Looking Stateside

US wines have been generating an unprecedented buzz in the UK. Andrew Catchpole discovers why

Lanchester Wines and Adnams strike green partnership

Durham-based merchant Lanchester Wines has produced a range of wines for Suffolk-based brewer, distiller and retailer Adnams, with a focus on sustainability.

Global wine market grows value sales against static volume

SWA calls for zero tariffs on whisky making materials

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called for zero tariffs on imports of whisky making materials in the Brexit negotiations.

Fever-Tree continues to lead the premium pack by adapting to low-cal and dark spirit trends

Fever-Tree accounted for 91% of the value growth of all mixers on the UK’s retail shelves last year, as the UK-based company continues to lead the march of premium mixers.

Gallo turns sights on UK with revamped premium range

Californian producing giant E&J Gallo has identified the UK as a key market to grow its expanding range of high-end wines.