James Davis MW joins Henkell Freixenet

James Davis MW will be joining the Henkell Freixenet team in a newly created role from the first week of July.

Last chance to enter Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship

UK-based Sommeliers have until 28 May to send in their application for the Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship – the annual travel bursary created in honour of the late Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MSc (OIV). 

Wine Guild launches free hospitality courses

The Wine Guild Education (WGEd), the skills development arm of the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, has launched a new suite of free hospitality service training courses. 

LWF: 'Fear of getting it wrong' is holding industry back on diversity

Trepidation around tokenism and not taking the right tack on issues of diversity and inclusion is stopping greater strides being taken in workplaces, it was said at this morning’s London Wine Fair (LWF) session on equal opportunities in the wine trade.

LWF: Beale describes path forward post UK 2020 ‘trade nadir’

The UK market remains an “attractive and diverse market place, but it is a very different one to the market it was 12 months ago”, according to Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Brexit: Counting the cost

Far from fading away, the ‘B’ word still greatly troubles indie merchants, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Hallgarten adds eight French producers

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has expanded its French portfolio with 29 new wines from 12 producers – eight of which are new to Hallgarten – from across eight wine-producing regions. 

A third of licensed premises reopened in April

After only a third of licensed premises traded in GB's first phase of reopening, today (17 May) marks the opportunity for many more to finally reopen, with most of the two-thirds (67.1%) of operators that have not yet traded having the option to do so as the on-trade is allowed to reopen indoors.

The life aquatic for English wine

Gosnells launches al fresco mead bar

GOSNELLS MEAD GARDEN

Gran Vino de Rueda sets bar high for Verdejo

The launch of new quality tier Gran Vino de Rueda in Spain’s leading white DO aims to elevate visibility of the top wines from the region.

Moulin-à-Vent association launches

Thirteen domains from Moulin-à-Vent, one of the 10 Beaujolais crus, have joined forces to create an association to promote the appellation. 

The Cellar puts spotlight on sustainability

THE CELLAR

Lay & Wheeler records ‘best year’ in a decade

Lay & Wheeler has announced its best year in over a decade, reporting a 57% value sales increase for the year ending 29 March 2021. 

Jascots brings Luna Austral to the UK

Jascots Wine Merchants has added Luna Austral to its growing portfolio, marking the Argentinian producer’s UK debut.

LWF unveils details of its new The Wine Writers Edit feature

The London Wine Fair (LWF) has unveiled the details of its new The Wine Writers Edit feature.

UK Copa Jerez finalists revealed

Three chef and sommelier teams have been chosen to attend the UK final for Copa Jerez in London later this month. 

Grape changes at Asda

Asda’s decision to re-organise its wine aisle by variety rather than region is based on widely established  research which shows consumers consider grape first when choosing a bottle of wine. But will it lead to more adventurous buying? Jo Gilbert shops around for the answers.

Virgin Wines raises turnover and revenue expectations

Virgin Wine has announced that it anticipates revenue and profitability for FY21 to be ahead of its previous expectations, with turnover for the year expected to be no less than £73m and an improvement in EBITDA margin.

Plumpton invests further in WineSkills initiative

Plumpton Wine Division has announced further investment in its WineSkills Programme by diversifying the range of short courses offered.