Portuguese wine sales soar at Majestic

Sales of Portuguese wine at Majestic soared in the past year driven by indigenous grapes.

Cono Sur gives Bicicleta premium makeover

Cono Sur has given its Bicicleta portfolio a premium makeover marking the first stage of the biggest marketing drive for the brand to date.

Jean-Claude Berrouet wins Winemakers’ Winemaker Award

The Institute of Masters of Wine has awarded Jean-Claude Berrouet, former winemaker at Château Petrus, the 2018 Winemakers’ Winemaker accolade.

Diana Hunter steps down as Conviviality CEO

Baron Philippe de Rothschild appoints branded wine MD

Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s has appointed Véronique Hombroekx as MD for its branded wine arm.

Henkell buys majority stake in Freixenet

German sparkling wine company Henkell has acquired a 50.7% stake in Spanish cava giant Freixenet.

Côtes du Rhône scam sold 66 million bottles of fake wine

The extent of a large-scale wine fraud in the Côtes du Rhône has been unveiled, amounting to 66.5 million bottles of counterfeit wine.

Louis Latour Agencies signs deal as Castello Banfi distributor

Louis Latour Agencies has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor of Italian winery Castello Banfi, marking the first European winery from outside France to join the agency.

Transformed Slovakia targets UK

UK wine importers have sealed new distribution deals to import their first cool climate wines from Slovakia, in moves that highlight the transformation of viticulture in the eastern EU country.

Shifting consumer mores

The latest Wine Intelligence research delves into the changing patterns of global wine buying and consumption, revealing some unexpected trends. 

Devon manor to launch vineyard

Lympstone Manor has revealed plans to plant a vineyard within its 28-acre estate.

China to squeeze bulk supply of Australian red to critical levels over next 3-5 years

Conviviality shares suspended

Shares in Conviviality have been temporarily suspended from trading on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) as it faces £30 million tax bill.

Wine key driver of Fairtrade sales

Alcohol has, albeit from a small platform, emerged as a key driver of Fairtrade with UK consumers showing increasing support for drinks accredited as such.

Rioja exports on the up boosted by the UK and white

Export sales of Rioja increased by 4.39% in 2017 compared to the previous year boosted by a strong UK performance, the Consejo Regulador of Rioja DOCa has revealed.

Hardys and Echo Falls achieve ‘Superbrands’ status for third time

Accolade wine brands Hardys and Echo Falls have made it into the UK’s Superbrand list.

Sparkling drives growth as inflation bites down on average prices

Volume sales of alcohol continued to decline in the UK off-trade in 2017, but value sales increased in both yearly and quarterly sales, particularly in sparkling wine, which remains the main driver of growth for the overall wine category.

Wines of Spain unveils new Caballeros for 2018

Wines of Spain has unveiled two new Caballeros for 2018 - Peter Dauthieu and Marisol Bueno.

Plotting the indigenous jewels on Hungary’s wine map

Hungary has come a long way since the heyday of Bull’s Blood in the 1970s. Now it’s rich tapestry of indigenous styles are finding their feet

The Barrow boys

Corney & Barrow’s wholesale side has been quietly expanding under the thoughtful direction of head of Merchant Business James Franklin, now represnting a major driving force for this City-based company.