Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wine, looks back at an overall positive 2015 and is excited about the sustainable future he is building for his company. He had a year full of expansion and is looking forward to more innovation in 2016.
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Dan Townsend, general manager of Europe for Treasury Wine Estates, saw 2015 as very strong year at TWE and thinks that the reverse takeover of Matthew Clark by Conviviality "has the potential to be a real game changer in terms of the UK trading landscape." Townsend is most excited about the opportunities that lay ahead in 2016, but sees Duty as one of the toughest challenges that trade faces next year.
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Sarah Abbott MW has her fingers in many pies, including running her own events company Swirl and helping clients like the Turkish Wine Alliance promote their wines in the UK. While 2015 was a brilliant year for her, she is looking forward to 2016 and helping wine producers in countries that face huge political and economic pressures promote their wines in the UK as wine in these countries is a symbol of defiant hope. But 2016 will also have challenges and she worries about the uncertainty of the UK remaining as part of the EU.
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The Harpers team would like to wish all in the drinks trade a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as we pirouette into the seasonal festivities and look ahead to a successful 2016.
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Andrew Maidment, the head of Wines of Argentina in the UK said 2015 was another great year with growth of 26% compared to 2014. Looking ahead though Maidment sees 2016 as year to continue to focus on the end drinker, but will be following the discount retailers next year.
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Robin Copestick of Copestick Murray looks back at Stoke City football and how healthy the UK wine trade was in 2015. Although 2015 was good- "2016 will be better still."
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Hambledon Vineyard has announced plans to to increase the estates's production facilities in response to growing demand of its award-winning English sparkling wine.
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The European Court of Justice has ruled that the Scottish Government's case for minimum unit pricing [MUP] for alcohol could be in breach of free trade laws if tax-based measures could deliver a fairer and equally effective result with regard to protecting public health.
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Hal Wilson of Cambridge Wine Merchants has had an 'awesome' and 'dynamic' 2015. He has embraced the popularity of spirits, which has helped boost his offering to over 900 SKUs. The two biggest challenges in 2016 Wilson's thinks will be to keep wine 'sexy' and combating supermarket discounting.
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Franciacorta Consorzio, the governing body of the Franciacorta premium Italian sparkling wine region, has elected Vittorio Moretti, owner of Bellavista and Contadi Castaldi, as its president.
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The Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja is looking at introducing terroir-based regulation for the first time.
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The iSommelier, a 'smart' decanter which reduces aeration time for a wine from hours to minutes, has been awarded the 2015 Innovation Trophy.
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Wine Australia has announced the dates of its Australia Day Tastings for 2016.
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Australian winemaker De Bortoli is to launch two new wine ranges into the UK in January.
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Fine wine merchant Armit Wines has announced the en primeur release of the 2014 vintage from highy regarded Burgundy winemaker Domaine Leflaive.
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Wines of Portugal has announced the details of its 2016 annual tasting.
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Liberty Wines has added Central Otago's Burn Cottage Vineyard to its range of premium New Zealand Pinot Noirs.
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Leading online distributor Matthew Clark is predicting that UK consumers will become yet more inquisitive in 2016.
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Côte du Rhône estate Clos des Grives is marking the release of its 2013 vintage with a short film.
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Wine drinkers who love nothing better than unearthing a hidden gem should look no further than Cyprus.
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