Global wine production lowest in 62 years

Extreme weather around the world is believed to have sent global production plunging to its lowest level since 1961, while France becomes the world's biggest wine producer, new figures suggest.

Hambledon takeover bid confirmed

The proposed acquisition of English sparkling wine brand Hambledon has been accepted by the company's shareholders, it was announced today (08/11/2023).

Hedonism Wines unveils new auction platform

Mayfair's leading fine wine merchant has launched an online auction platform, due to go live on 13 November.

Hospitality closures fall in third quarter

The Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners has recorded a fall in licensed premises of 0.3% – the equivalent of three net closures a day, in the third quarter.

Louise Gordon joins Hand Picked Hotels

Hand Picked Hotels, the proprietor of 21 luxury country houses and coastal retreats across the UK, has announced sommelier Louise Gordon as its first-ever head of wine.

SLTA ‘bitterly disappointed’ over Glasgow LEZ legal challenge

The (SLTA) Scottish Licensed Trade Association has said it is “bitterly disappointed” that a long-established Glasgow family business has lost its court battle against the city’s low emission zone (LEZ).

Pernod launches fast food-focused wine range

400 businesses demand alcohol duty freeze

Representatives of more than 400 businesses have written to the chancellor demanding an alcohol duty freeze in the Autumn Statement.

The Pig launches first-ever English sparkling wines

The boutique hotel group, The Pig, will launch its first-ever bottles of English sparkling wine, with grapes from Bee Tree Vineyard in East Sussex, owned by Dermot and Ana Sugrue, of Sugrue South Downs.

Wigan succeeds Rose at Hill-Smith Family Estates

Hill-Smith Family Estates has announced that Sam Wigan will take over the role of head winemaker from Louisa Rose ahead of the 2024 vintage.

Goedhuis and Waddesdon announce merger

Goedhuis & Co and Waddesdon Wine have announced an agreement to merge, with the deal effective from today (3 November). Both companies will initially continue to trade under their existing names, while the two businesses are fully integrated to ensure no disruption to clients or suppliers.

Makarounas Winery joins the Bancroft Portfolio

Bancroft Wines has welcomed Makarounas Winery as a new producer, marking the first range of Cypriot wines to join the portfolio.

Memorial service for Philip Tuck MW

A memorial service for Philip Tuck MW, co-founder and wine director at Hatch Mansfield for many years, is being held in February.

Friday read: The Verdicchio Renaissance

The white wines made from Verdicchio in Italy’s central Marche region were once famous for lining the supermarket shelves in its recognisable hourglass shaped bottle. Often considered generic in style, the varietal has undergone a renaissance in recent years. Is it time to revisit verdant Verdicchio in all its forms?

Homecoming for The Good Wine Shop’s fifth opening

The Good Wine Shop has expanded to a fifth site, taking over a former Oddbins site in St Margarets, Twickenham.

SWA open for entries

After a Covid-delivered hiatus of several years, the Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA), the UK’s premier on-trade wine competition, is back with a bang and ready to receive this year’s exciting entries.

Majestic expands on-trade ambitions with Craggy Range partnership

Majestic’s B2B division, Majestic Commercial, is continuing to build momentum in the UK on-trade by welcoming Craggy Range back to the company’s arsenal after a seven-year absence, by becoming its exclusive on-trade agent.

Drinks One to ‘revolutionise’ drinks brands’ path to market

New drinks agency Drinks One has launched an ecommerce arm aimed at both trade and consumer as part of its disruptive strategy to allow brands to bypass the traditional middleman.

Insolvencies peak driven by hospitality and retail

Newly released figures from the Insolvency Service show that a higher rate of UK insolvencies over the 12 months have been driven by pressures in consumer facing industries such as leisure, hospitality and retail. However, research suggests the worst might now be in the rear-view mirror, with an easing now expected to follow as the industry works through some of its core challenges.

Customer loyalty reins supreme in cost-of-living crisis

New research has unveiled the importance of providing consistently good experiences in hospitality, with nearly half of consumers saying just one or two bad experiences at a hospitality venue would cause them to feel less loyal to a brand.