Mixing politics and wine

What attracted me to wine journalism nine years ago was that the stories were about the wine and the people, not cocaine-fuelled celebrity mishaps or sexual exploits involving a reverse osmosis machine. The beauty of wine was that, by and large, there was no 'news.'

The Benevolent turns silent auction live

The Benevolent has this morning turned its second online auction live.

North South Wines partners with Vallformosa Cava

North South Wines has signed a distribution deal with Cava producer Vallformosa.

WSET signs three-year deal with The Wine Show

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced a three-year deal with The Wine Show, making it the show’s official wine education partner.

Lidl claims ‘value for money’ supermarket gong

Lidl has been awarded the Wotwine supermarket wine retailer gong based on delivering best value for money for consumers, making it the fourth year in a row for the discounter to claim the title.

Naked announces Gormley’s retirement and appoints Devlin as its new CEO

FDF urges next government to champion the UK’s food and drink sector

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched its manifesto in which it has called on the next UK government to champion the nation’s food and drink industry, and support long-standing industry proposals to “boost the thriving sector’s productivity”. 

Volumes at Rathfinny set to double as it launches first en primeur campaign

Rathfinny has launched its first ever en primeur campaign via its Classic Cuvée, which is being positioned as a more accessible entry point to the Sussex estate’s premium range.

Speciality Brands signs distribution deal for Beluga

Speciality Brands has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for vodka brand Beluga.

Wine Paris reveals conference programme

Wine Paris has revealed the themes of its 2020 Wine Talks conference programme.

IMW welcomes Grupo Rioja to its fold

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMV) has welcomed Grupo Rioja to its family of international supporters.  

E&J Gallo acquires Napa’s Pahlmeyer winery

E&J Gallo has acquired Napa Valley winery Pahlmeyer as part of its ‘super premium’ strategy.

L-R and South West trump ‘irrelevant’ Bordeaux for younger drinkers

The days of the old French wine hierarchy, with Bordeaux and Burgundy sitting atop a carefully calibrated pecking order, are numbered, according to a Harpers cross-trade panel.

Howard’s Folly launches online wine shop and club

Howard’s Folly has launched an e-commerce platform and wine club to enable consumers to buy their wines direct from the vineyard.

Fever-Tree UK sales hit by retail slump

Fever-Tree has announced a slowdown in UK sales as the premium mixer brand is hurt by the depressed retail scene.

Washington closes in on six new AVAs as wineries pass 1,000 mark

Washington State has edged closer to its aim of adding six new AVAs to its current roster of 14 as this Pacific North West producer continues on its fast growth trajectory.

Pernod Ricard partnership to bring Baijiu to the international market

Baijiu, China’s most popular and deeply historic spirit, could be making its way to the UK thanks to a new partnership with French giant Pernod Ricard.

Piedmont declares 2019 a ‘classic and traditional’ vintage

Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato has declared 2019 a “classic and traditional” vintage with the quality of Piedmont grapes “impressive”, leading to a double digit drop in yields.

Trade says fond farewell to Hallgarten Druitt co-founder

One of the UK’s largest and longest-standing suppliers has paid tribute to one of its luminaries, who has passed away after a short illness.

Soave launches project to tackle soil erosion

The Consorzio of Soave has embarked on a pioneering project to study the impact of soil erosion in its vineyards and to help producers develop and maintain techniques to protect their soil.