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Hospitality confidence plummets amid rising costs and falling footfall

Published:  08 November, 2024

Confidence among Britain’s hospitality leaders has plunged as sector challenges deepen, with CGA by NIQ’s latest Business Confidence Survey revealing worsening sentiment amid squeezed margins and reduced consumer spending. 

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Chablis faces tough harvest but targets UK growth

Published:  08 November, 2024

The 2024 vintage in Chablis has emerged from one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory, with severe frost, hailstorms and heavy rains collectively slashing yields by an estimated 60%. Despite these setbacks, the region’s winemakers remain optimistic, citing the vintage’s distinctive quality, marked by vibrant lemon and grapefruit notes and characteristic minerality.

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Friday read: Embracing Costières de Nîmes

Published:  08 November, 2024

Costières de Nîmes is the last hurrah of the Rhône valley, between the Camargue and the vineyards of Provence in one direction, and the start of the long sweep of the Languedoc in the other. The vineyards sit southeast of Nîmes, a city whose Roman roots are near the surface.

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LWC unveils 8% range to offset 2025 duty hike

Published:  07 November, 2024

LWC, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler and wine specialist, has teamed up with South African winery Overhex Wines to launch Kamina, a new range of lower-alcohol wines in anticipation of the February 2025 duty increase. 

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Jeroboams Group acquires Davy’s storage

Published:  07 November, 2024

The Jeroboams Group has announced the acquisition of another in-bond storage facility, bolstering its leadership in the fine wine and private client market.

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Kingsland Drinks agrees deal with Lidl for bolgrad wines

Published:  06 November, 2024

Kingsland Drinks has secured an exclusive deal with Lidl GB to introduce wines from Ukraine’s Bolgrad Winery to the UK, marking the first Ukrainian wines listed by a British supermarket.

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WineGB launches hub to boost diversity in industry

Published:  06 November, 2024

WineGB has introduced its ‘People Support Hub’ to mark the close of its 30 Days of Sustainable Action campaign, promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the wine sector.

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Drinks Trust appoints new CEO

Published:  06 November, 2024

The Drinks Trust has appointed Nicky Burston as its new chief executive, taking over leadership of the charity dedicated to supporting people in the UK drinks and hospitality industry.

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Surge in temporary alcohol licences supports hospitality

Published:  05 November, 2024

The latest figures on alcohol licensing in England and Wales reveal a sharp uptick in new licences and temporary event notices, reflecting a surge in demand across the hospitality sector. 

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Government backs down on outdoor smoking ban for hospitality

Published:  05 November, 2024

The UK government has confirmed that hospitality venues, including outdoor areas of pubs and bars, will not face new smoking restrictions, following industry outcry over potential impacts on trade. 

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SITT open for registration as dates confirmed for 20th anniversary return

Published:  04 November, 2024

Registration is now open for the Specialist Importers Trade Tasting (SITT), with dates confirmed for its Manchester and London Spring events.

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Sales drop in pubs and bars as weather cools and rugby boost fades

Published:  04 November, 2024

Sales at managed venues edged up by a modest 0.1% in the week to Saturday 19 October, just surpassing the same week in 2023. However, figures soon declined, with sales finishing 5% lower in the following week to Saturday 26 October. Drinks sales have now fallen in four of the past five weeks.

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Sommelier Wine Awards 2025 now open for entries

Published:  04 November, 2024

The Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) is once again open for entries for its 2025 round of judging.

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DO Rueda harvest exceeds expectations amid weather challenges

Published:  04 November, 2024

The Rueda Designation of Origin (DO) has officially concluded its grape harvest, marking another milestone year for the appellation. With a total of 138,568,850 kg of grapes certified under the DO Rueda label, this year’s harvest shows resilience and quality despite unique weather conditions, according to local winemakers.

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Oxford’s Sandbach adds to wine bar stable

Published:  04 November, 2024

After a hiatus of several years the original site of the first Oxford Wine Café is to be reborn as the Oxford Wine Tavern.

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Hispamerchants adds Funckenhausen Wines to portfolio

Published:  01 November, 2024

UK-based wine importer Hispamerchants has introduced three wines from Mendoza’s Funckenhausen winery to its growing collection, marking the agency’s first entry from the San Rafael sub-region, specifically the area of 25 De Mayo. 

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Government wine cellar sees reduction in usage but record boost in 2022-24

Published:  01 November, 2024

The government hospitality wine cellar’s latest biennial report, covering April 2022 to March 2024, outlines a restrained increase in bottle usage and a significant boost in revenue from sales. 

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Hospitality faces £2,500 rise in staff costs following Budget changes

Published:  01 November, 2024

The Autumn Budget’s employment tax measures will raise the cost of employing full-time staff by at least £2,500, according to an analysis released by UKHospitality. 

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Exclusive: SWR completes global sustainability benchmarking pilot

Published:  01 November, 2024

Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) has completed the initial phase of a new benchmarking scheme which aims to evaluate the world’s various sustainability standards against a single set of criteria, Harpers can reveal.

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Friday read: Lago di Garda, Gropello Gentile and Italy’s most memorable rosato

Published:  01 November, 2024

Italy’s wine reputation has never been higher. Many of its reds from Tuscany and Piedmont are well established icons, its whites get better each year, whilst sparkling wines are also on the up with Franciacorta, Alta Langa and Oltrepo Pavese increasingly appealing to higher end consumers tired of Prosecco.

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