William Grant & Sons onboards iconic The Famous Grouse

Scotch whisky giant William Grant & Sons (WG&S) has added The Famous Grouse and Naked Malt brands to its portfolio.

Harpers Design Awards 2025 open for entries

The Harpers Design Awards 2025 are now open to all drinks brands and design agencies that want to shine a spotlight on the look and functionality of their products in a range of categories.

EPR fees announced as joint statement laments changes

The delayed details of the official cost per tonne of glass as part of the government’s EPR scheme have been announced by DEFRA.

Wines of Chile re-elects Alfonso Underraga as president

Alfonso Underraga has been re-elected president of the Wines of Chile association for a further two years, building on the “commercial recovery” that was achieved in 2024.

Boost to German portfolio at Bancroft Wines

Bonhams announces charity collaboration with Champagne Barons de Rotschild

London auction house Bonhams has announced a charity collaboration with Champagne Barons de Rotschild in honour of the house’s inaugural prestige cuvée, Le Grand Clos 2019.

Jancis Robinson MW welcomed as patron of RVF

Jancis Robinson MW has become a patron of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF), a global non-profit comprising those working in the wine industry to help reverse climate change.

Friday read: Celebrating English Wine Week with Nyetimber library stock

Among the myriad events contributing to the countrywide festival that is English Wine Week (21-29 June), one in particular caught our eye at Harpers – an invite to join Nyetimber at 10 Greek Street for a dinner titled ‘Ageing with grace – how English Sparkling Wine is redefining vintage fizz’. An event aimed at normal wine-loving punters, it nonetheless promised an ‘opening of library of wines… featuring a curated selection of back vintages including Classic Cuvee NV, Classic Cuvee 2009, Classic Cuvee 2005, Blanc de Blancs 2016, and 1086 Prestige Cuvee 2010’. And this all matched with the very tasty tucker and relaxed dining vibe for which this standout Soho oasis is rightly known. So, we headed on down…

Study shows Gen Z no longer leading moderation charge

The latest Bevtrac survey from ISWR highlights that Gen Z are not rejecting alcohol any more than older consumers, with findings showing in some cases they may even be pushing back against moderation.

Paper cap and bottle from Absolut

Absolut Vodka has unveiled a paper-based cap and bottle duo as part of its Future Packaging Programme to create a fully biobased bottle.

KAM conference: Venues ignore low and no at their peril

At KAM’s Low & No: Drinking Differently conference yesterday (24 June), data from their latest insights report revealed that 37% of people have left on-trade venues early due to poor low and no options.

Symington expands oenotourism reach with new Porto venue

Symington Family Estates (SFE) has renovated a three-storey historical townhouse in the centre of Porto as a venue to merge Portuguese and British winemaking and hospitality.

Record performance for still wines at ninth WineGB Awards

Still wines have outshone sparklers for the first time at the annual WineGB Awards, accounting for more than half the entries and gaining 161 medals compared to sparkling’s 151.

New London venue for Vagabond Wines

Self-pour wine bar group Vagabond is to open a flagship site in Paternoster Square, St Paul’s, London, in August – its first new location since joining the Majestic Wine Group. A second bar will follow in Liverpool Street in the autumn.

67 Pall Mall confirms China expansion

The global expansion of private members’ wine club 67 Pall Mall is set to continue with the signing of a lease for its first venue in Mainland China.

New appointment for BBR in Washington DC outpost

Berry Bros & Rudd has appointed Jamie Ritchie (pictured) as MD of international & auctions, with responsibility for leading its business in the US and Asia. He will join the company in August this year and will be based in Washington DC, where the company opened its first US store in June.

April drop in hospitality insolvencies though warning signs remain

Fresh data from the UK Government’s company insolvency statistics can reveal that insolvencies in the accommodation and food services sector were down 12% year on year for April, with 275 going bust during the month.

Heritage Wines seeks additional businesses as its Milestone portfolio grows

Announcing the first of several new producers to join the Milestone Wines portfolio, Miles Corish MW, owner of parent company Heritage Wines, has also said he is looking to add new companies under the Heritage banner.

UKH: Industrial Strategy a missed opportunity to support hospitality

The government’s announcement of its new Industrial Strategy has been met with frustration from figures inside the hospitality trade. UKHospitality has noted that the sector is among the industries not included in the Strategy’s energy bill reduction plan.

New appointments at Alliance as Wareing steps up as head of buying

Alliance Wine has bolstered its brand, marketing and fine wine teams with the appointment of Jean Wareing MW (pictured) as head of buying, brand & technical, while also creating three additional new roles.