New members elected to Gran Orden de Caballeros for services to Spanish wine industry

María José López de Heredia and José Velo Rego are the latest figures to be inaugurated in to the Gran Orden de Caballeros for their services to the Spanish wine industry.

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Scrapping duty escalator could be bad news for suppliers warns Robin Copestick

Robin Copestick, co-founder of UK wine agency Copestick Murray, has sounded a warning shot about the Chancellor's decision to scrap the duty escalator in today's Budget and fears suppliers will be forced to take on the costs of inflationary duty increases rather than the higher costs under the escalator that were easier to pass on to consumers.

California now making the "white space" wines people want to buy says Joel Peterson

California is now making and exporting what leading US winemaker, Joel Peterson of Ravenswood  Wines, calls "white space" wines that are increasingly popular both in America in its key export markets.

Anna Greenhous looks at the best options for entry level sake

One of the most common questions I'm asked about sake is what I'd suggest as a good introduction? It's easy to recommend a good premium sake, but they tend to cost more money than people are prepared to part with when risking trying the unknown.

The week ahead: Budget and tastings dominate the agenda

The wine and spirits trade faces one of its most eventful weeks of the year as it counts down to Wednesday's Budget with a series of major generic tastings.

Public poll gives overwhelming support to cuts in duty in this week's Budget

Only 3% of the British public think alcoholic drinks are not too expensive in pubs and restaurants and unless more is done to cut duty levels they are likely to spend more time drinking at home.

Countdown to Budget: pubs more reliant on wine and spirits sales says CGA study

Pubs are becoming increasingly reliant on wine and spirit sales, according to new figures released today by on-trade specialists, CGA Strategy.

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Kleine Zalze to launch wine range to celebrate its new Fairtrade status

Kleine Zalze, the South African producer, has been accredited with Fairtrade status for its wine production.

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UK on verge of an "almighty price war" warns PLB's John Osborne

The UK retail industry is on the verge of an "almighty price war" amongst the major multiples as the rise of the hard discounters continues to dictate the dynamics of the UK grocery market, according to John Osborne the new managing director of wine distributor PLB.

Pippa Hayward on why Spain has prospered whilst others have failed

Pippa Hayward is the latest member of the Association of Wine Educators to step up to the plate and offer her views on a topic closest to her heart: why Spain continues to excite both the wine expert, enthusiast and mainstream consumer.  

Melissa Draycott on how González Byass is expanding its Spanish wine offer

Melissa Draycott, sales director from González Byass, explains to Carol Emmas why it is keen to get its message across to the trade that it has a wine offer that more than complements its world famous sherries

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Richard Foster: the first 20 pubs I visited with my daughter

Looking back 19 years later, this project appears to be something of an exercise in vanity with a gentle hint of depravity folded into the mix. When our first child, Jessica, was born on February 13, 1995 amidst the common feelings of euphoria and elation, there was this little devil on my shoulder who wanted to break through the overwhelming sensation of joy to hatch a dastardly plan. This particular Beelzebub was a cunning so-and-so and knew exactly how to lure me into his evil lair.

Best buyers understand and work with their suppliers, hears Wine Buyers Forum

The best wine buyers are the ones that do their homework on their suppliers, know their market, understand their customers and choose wines that match their own business agenda, according to two former supermarket heads of wine speaking at this week's inaugural Wine Buyers Forum i n Windsor.

Heather Dougherty looks at radical winemaking in Chile with Marcelo Retamal

Excitement, experimentation and risk-taking are not words readily associated with wines from Chile. UK consumers are more likely to come up with reliability, good value and consistency when they think about Chilean wines.

Up to 40 wineries look to be granted the new Cape Vintner Classification in South Africa

Between 30 and 40 South African wineries are expected to be granted the prestigious new Cape Vintner Classification, launched last December, after the disbandment of the old Cape Wine Producers' Association.

Over 100 buyers head to Windsor to take part in first Wine Buyers' Forum

Over 100 buyers from across all channels of the trade are heading to Windsor today to take part in the first Wine Buyers Forum where they will get the chance to have in-depth discussions with over 30 suppliers and take part in a series of targeted business workshops.