Gusbourne unveils hybrid distribution partnership with Enotria&Coe

Leading sparkling wine producer Gusbourne has joined forces with Enotria&Coe to expand the brand's presence in the UK on-trade.

Post-Budget fallout looms over UK insolvency reprieve

Loire Valley producers reeling from 'unprecedented climatic conditions' in 2024

Vintage 2024 in the Loire Valley has been described as "one of the most trying years in recent decades” for growers in north-western France.

Hospitality endures sluggish October growth despite licensed premises rise

The UK’s leading hospitality groups achieved overall year-on-year sales growth of just 0.6% in October 2024, despite an increase in new openings recorded last month.

Wales abandons UK-wide DRS in favour of glass inclusion

Wales will press ahead with its own Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) as the devolved government announced its intention to back out of a UK-wide framework which is looking to exclude glass.

Rhône Valley producers optimistic despite 'Homeric vintage' in 2024

As the dust settles on another roller coaster vintage, winemakers across the Rhône Valley are nonetheless confident that their wines will showcase “fruit, tension and balance” - as much for white wines as for reds and rosés.

Wine Paris to welcome record number of exhibitors in 2025

Wine Paris, hitherto known as Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris, is poised to receive over 4,600 exhibitors from 50 different countries in 2025, continuing its meteoric growth since the first edition opened in 2019.

Cru Bourgeois de Medoc looks to 2030 classification following major overhaul

A new era for the Cru Bourgeois de Medoc was on show at last week’s central London tasting where the trade and press were invited to taste wines from 2022 – the last of five vintages classified in the current 2020 classification and the first vintage to be blind tasted and included in the analysis for the upcoming 2030 classification. 

Nick Gillett: Aiming high with no & low

The “no & low” category, as it’s become lovingly known, is one that many spirits boffins struggled to get their heads around at first. When you look at the statistics, the success of no & low is startling. For the last two years in the UK, growth in the category has massively outperformed the overall total beverage alcohol volumes and in 2023 sales of low alcohol products doubled (IWSR data). And there are other markets around the world where it’s even bigger, where moderation and sobriety are more common and embedded in the culture. But let’s be straight – it’s still a small category when compared to rum, vodka, or even tequila – but the overall trajectory is on the up and expected to continue well into the next five years and beyond.

Hospitality in resurgence after 'easing financial pressure' buoys consumer confidence

A new survey by Lumina Intelligence has revealed promising signs of a modest recovery in the UK on-trade, with both consumer spend and frequency of visits rising in October 2024.

UK government increases number of alcohol licenses despite post-budget concerns

The UK’s ailing hospitality sector is showing modest signs of recovery, with the number of licensed premises increasing for a second successive quarter and 661 net new openings in the third quarter of 2024.

Visionary winemaker Yiannis Boutaris dies

Yiannis Boutaris, founder of the Kir-Yianni family of wine estates in Greece, has died aged 82.

New Zealand Winegrowers affirms commitment to Sommelier Scholarships

Following a temporary, pandemic-induced hiatus, New Zealand is once again poised to welcome the winners of New Zealand Winegrowers’ Sommelier Scholarships.

Viña Montes unveils new sparkling cuvée from Patagonian wildlife reserve

South American icon Viña Montes will launch a new traditional method sparkling in 2025, using fruit grown on the Chiloé group of islands that lie off the west coast of Patagonia.

EU Launches ‘More Than Only Food and Drink’ campaign

The European Union has unveiled a new PR initiative designed to promote the virtues of continental food and drink to UK industry professionals – highlighting food safety, quality, authenticity and sustainability credentials.

Boutinot commits to Bottle Weight Accord

Manchester-based importer Boutinot has become the latest signatory to the Bottle Weight Accord, a de-carbonisation initiative spearheaded by the Sustainable Wine Roundtable.

Michael Vachon parts company with Maverick Drinks

Maverick Drinks co-founder Michael Vachon has announced his departure from the firm, after 11 influential years at the helm.

Ray O'Connor MW joins EcoSip

Leading wine packaging firm EcoSip has appointed Ray O’Connor as non-executive director, bringing over a decade of retail experience to the sustainability-led company.

Dramatic wage inflation heightens post-Budget blues

New data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that average weekly earnings in the food and accommodation sector continue to spiral, exacerbating the financial woes of hospitality businesses nationwide.

International Organisation of Vine & Wine unveils benchmark definition of 'old grapevine'

The International Organisation of Vine & Wine (OIV) has unveiled a definitive classification for 'old grapevines' and 'old vineyards', drawing on research undertaken by The Old Vine Conference, The Old Vine Project, The Old Vine Registry and the Censimento Vecchie Vigne.