US Scotch whisky tariffs “unsustainable” as losses hit £500m

The impact of tariffs on Scotch whisky exports to the US is “unsustainable” as losses for the sector have hit £500m, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). 

Vinpro pushes ahead with court case as SA alcohol ban lifted

Vinpro has welcomed last night’s announcement that the third alcohol ban on local liquor sales has been lifted, but said it would push ahead with the court application it launched in the Cape High Court last month to help save the beleaguered industry. 

Absolut follows up 'paper' bottle launch with 60% recycled glass edition

Pernod Ricard’s flagship vodka brand, Absolut, has launched its latest limited-edition bottle made of 60% recycled glass, making it the brand’s most sustainable glass bottle to date. 

Four in five eager to get back to going out

Consumers are badly missing hospitality experiences, with four in five, or 80%, hoping to revisit the on-trade within a few weeks of reopening, according to the latest edition of CGA’s 2021 Hospitality Consumer Forecast, which explores attitudes to the on-trade while Britain remains under lockdown.

Vidal-Fleury names new General Manager

Maison Vidal-Fleury has appointed Antoine Dupré as its new general manager taking over from Guy Sarton du Jonchay, who has been in charge for the past 13 years. 

Worshipful Company of Distillers expands educational initiative

The Worshipful Company of Distillers’ (WCD) has launched a programme of scholarships and bursaries set to benefit more than 100 students over the next three years. 

Vinpro: ‘Cellar capacity and financial viability remain a big concern”

Vinpro has announced that South African wine producers and viticulturists are optimistic about the quality of this year’s vintage following favourable weather conditions. 

Inter Beaujolais appoints new President and Vice President

Inter Beaujolais has appointed Daniel Bulliat as President and Philippe Bardet as Vice President. 

NZ online wine retailer reports record-breaking year

Online wine retailer The New Zealand House of Wine has reported record-breaking sales. 

Beale: ‘Punishingly high duty rates stifling home grown wine and spirit businesses’

The WSTA has renewed its calls on the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty to allow UK businesses to “thrive and compete on a global stage”. 

Sample registration opens for the b.f.t’s first virtual event

Pandemic cost hospitality £200m a day in 2020

Turnover for the hospitality sector dropped to less than half of 2019 levels in 2020, slipping by almost £72bn, which translates to nearly £200m a day, according to the latest edition of the UK Hospitality (UKH) and CGA Quarterly Tracker.

Industry needs to ‘redouble efforts’ to scrap VI-1s

Victoria Prentis, minister for fishing and farming, this week confirmed that the government will “consider in due course whether there is a case for revisiting the requirements of the VI-1 certification”. 

Vinpro approaches courts to save SA wine industry

Vinpro has announced it has approached the Cape High Court in a bid to save the beleaguered South African wine industry.

InterLoire appoints local winemaker as new President

InterLoire, the interprofessional body for Loire Valley Wines, has appointed local winemaker Lionel Gosseaume as its new president. He takes over from Jean-Martin Dutour as of now.

Minister dashes hopes of VAT cut extension

A treasury minister has said there are “no current plans” to further extend the reduction in VAT for hospitality businesses despite estimates that rising rates could directly and permanently impact the sector and lead to the loss of up to 310,000 jobs.

Mangrove signs distribution deal with New York Distilling Company

Mangrove has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor of New York Distilling Company. 

Lay & Wheeler snaps up further ex-Berry Bros staff

Lay & Wheeler has appointed a new head of operations, while also expanding its private clients team as part of the company’s growth strategy.

Pernod Ricard Winemakers partners with Trellis to optimise wine operations

Pernod Ricard Winemakers has partnered with Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform Trellis to optimise its wine operations.

Brown-Forman brings all UK distribution in-house

Brown-Forman has announced that it will distribute the entirety of its brand portfolio in the UK.