V d’OR winners announced on eve of Wine Paris

Wine Paris & Vinexpo 2024 kicked off proceedings last night (11 February) with the first-ever V d’OR Awards.

Trade divided on MUP increase

The minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol in Scotland will rise from 50p to 65p, Holyrood has announced.

Exclusive: Broadland reinstalls corking line after 15 years

Norfolk bottler Broadland Drinks is re-installing its corking line after a 15-year absence in a move which marks a significant re-emergence of cork back into the UK drinks scene, Harpers can reveal.

Amathus Drinks appoints Ana Jackson MW

Drinks importer, distributor and retailer, Amathus Drinks, has announced the appointment of Ana Jackson MW (née Sapungiu) as head of wine business development.

Coterie continues recruitment drive with another Bibendum hire

James Scott is the latest name to join the ranks of Coterie Holdings in another move which continues the trend of key industry names jumping ship from Bibendum.

Lidl trials return scheme after DRS delay

Discounter Lidl has launched its own return scheme for PET plastic and aluminium drinks containers, eight months after the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) was delayed by the Scottish government.

Edinburgh trio launches international bar show

Edinburgh is getting its very own trade-focused bar show, with the event due to land in the Scottish capital for the first time in April.

The Drinks Trust launches industry survey

The Drinks Trust has launched its annual industry survey to better understand the needs of the hospitality workforce.

NZ wine sales performing ‘ahead of trade’ in UK

The New Zealand London Annual Trade Tasting returned to Lindley Hall yesterday (7 February) on Waitangi Day, the national day of New Zealand.

French champions recognised for UK service

Daniel Lambert Wines, Waitrose and The Wine Society were among some of the big winners at The French Champion Awards organised and hosted by Business France.

Harpers archive heads for California

One hundred and forty-five years of trade history is soon to cross The Pond, as the Harpers archive moves to a new home at UC Davis.

New UK and Ireland Michelin stars revealed

The Michelin Guide, founded by the tyre company of the same name, began life as a humble guidebook, helping French travellers navigate the country at the dawn of the 20th Century. Today, The Michelin Guide is better known as the custodian of the most significant accolade in global gastronomy – the coveted ‘three stars’.

Good Wine Good People launches wholesale portfolio

Boutique online retailer Good Wine Good People (GWGP) is launching a trade arm, with the first wines now available to the UK on and off-trade.

Coterie Holdings appoints Andrew Shaw as wine director

Le Gavroche to auction its rare wines and artwork

Following its January closure after more than 50 years of service, Le Gavroche is to auction off its wine collection, valued up to £12,000 per bottle.

Moldova lands in London via Purcari

The UK trade was offered a dive into the somewhat lesser-known wines and varieties of Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria in London last week via the wines of Purcari Wineries Group – one of the region’s largest exporters.

Distillers and bar owners call on chancellor to cut alcohol duty

A group of award-winning small distillers have penned an open letter to Jeremy Hunt calling for a cut to alcohol duty in the Spring Budget.

Accolade Wines taken over by consortium

Accolade Wines, Australia’s second-largest producer, has been taken over by a consortium of investors led by Bain & Co, the US-based management consulting company.

Naked Wines announces new CEO

Naked Wines has named current UK boss Rodrigo Maza as its new CEO, following the abrupt departure of Nick Devlin in November.

Kingsland expands bottled at source range with Boland Cellar

Major bottler Kingsland Drinks has signed an exclusive deal with Boland Cellar in a move which will expand the company’s bottled at source premium portfolio to include South Africa.