Berkmann announces Australian portfolio expansion

Berkmann Wine Cellars has announced the additions of Kooyong from the Mornington Peninsula and South Australia’s Riesling Freak.

Mentzendorff adds Napa Valley icon to portfolio

France makes good on its large tasting ‘gamble’

France’s increasing regional complexity has made its tasting format something of an intermittent affair in recent times, with the country’s myriad interprofessional bodies usually heading up smaller regional tastings throughout the year.

US Whiskey producers anticipate new government guidelines

The recent decision by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to set specific identity regulations for ‘American single malt whiskey’ will come into effect on Monday 19 January.

Liberty expands Spanish portfolio offerings

Liberty Wines has announced new additions to its Spanish portfolio by becoming the exclusive UK distributor for Casa Castillo from Jumilla and Celler del Roure from Valencia.

SWA highlights daily loss for HMRC of £500,000 duty

SWA chief executive has claimed the industry is “not crying wolf” over the impact of the double-digit rise in spirit duty since August 2023. According to Treasury figures, the revenue from spirits duty fell by £255m for the period running 1 August 2023 to 30 November 2024, which equates to an eye-watering half a million-pound loss in revenue every day for HMRC.

Cabrach celebrates first distillation in 170 years

A community-owned, government-supported distillery has revived the tradition of whisky making at The Cabrach estate in Speyside, a sparsely populated Highland area that hasn't produced single malt for 170 years.

King Charles reissues Royal Warrants

An eclectic list of importers, sparkling wine producers and distillers have been granted Royal Warrants by King Charles III.

Friday read: A new frontier between the vines of Cyprus

As Cyprus celebrates 800 years of its iconic sweet wine, Commandaria, a younger generation of winemakers is proving the island’s indigenous grape varieties can produce some serious dry wines too. Rebecca Pitcairn dives in.

British wine producers celebrate ‘small but good quality crop’ after difficult vintage

Following a challenging growing season, beset with “recurrent rainfall and higher disease pressure”, UK wineries are nonetheless relatively optimistic that 2024 will deliver wines with “a high level of phenolic ripeness” – a concomitant of longer hang times due to the late harvest period.

Vranken-Pommery Monopole announces major shakeup of governance board

Champagne producer Vranken-Pommery Monopole has made a number of key changes to its corporate governance, promoting Nathalie Vranken, currently deputy CEO, to the position of CEO as of today (18 December).

Enotria&Coe adds Marqués de Cáceres to its Spanish portfolio

Enotria&Coe has entered into an exclusive partnership with Rioja stalwart Marqués de Cáceres, distributing its wines to the UK off-trade.

Museum Wines expands portfolio

A leading importer of premium Cape wine has agreed to represent Hazendal, a Stellenbosch farm seeking distribution in the UK.

‘Actually Made In’ campaign hits new milestone

A campaign to promote “a collective message of transparency, community, and education” has united over 140 different craft distilleries in the UK, after being founded with just four members in April 2024.

Silverhand Estate achieves carbon-negative status

The UK’s largest single organic vineyard has been certified as ‘carbon-negative’, a milestone achievement that requires the reduction of CO2 emissions at source.

Moët & Chandon reaches halfway point in 100km Champagne hedgerow project

One of Champagne’s most iconic houses has reached the halfway point of a project to plant 100km of hedgerow in Champagne as part of a plan to boost biodiversity in the region.

Two Burgundy appellations follow in Pouilly-Fuissé’s Premier Cru footsteps

Burgundy’s Pouilly-Loché and Pouilly-Vinzelles ODG (Organisme de Gestion et Défense) have been now recognised as Premier Cru wines, joining their neighbours in Pouilly-Fuissé which achieved its Premier Cru status in 2020.

DO Rueda celebrates export bounce

New figures released by the Rueda Designation of Origin (DO) suggest that the dry white is stealing a march abroad, with exports to the UK rising by 11.5% between 2020 and 2024.

Leading Stellenbosch producer acquires Overhex Wines’ portfolio

Origin Wine has purchased the entire brand portfolio of Overhex Wines, a Worcester-based outfit that was set up 18 years ago by Gerhard van der Wath.

California set for ‘memorable vintage’ following fast-paced growing season and harvest

The 2024 California harvest got off to an early start in many regions following a rainy winter, a cool spring and a warm summer during a year which has left a lasting impression on vintners, the California Wine Institute said.