Rioja Wine Month fuels 232% sales uplift

October saw Rioja wine sales soar as over 120 independent retailers, wine bars and restaurants across the UK took part in the second edition of Rioja Wine Month. 

10th Tío Pepe challenge now open for entries

In 2023, the international Tío Pepe Challenge, the world’s largest Sherry cocktail competition, celebrates its 10th Anniversary and is now open for entries from UK bartenders on the theme, ‘Twist Your Classic’.

Building on bulk

With economic and environmental credentials to the fore, bulk wine is taking an increasingly premium turn, as Andrew Catchpole discovers at WBWE.

Headline Heroes: Languedoc’s commitment to organic wine

As thousands of winegrowers in the Languedoc convert to organic farming, James Lawrence looks to Millésime Bio, the event at the centre of the movement.

Wines of Spain announces dates for 2023 Annual Tastings

Wines from Spain has revealed dates and locations for its Annual Tastings next year. The first will be held in London on 28 February, with a northern event also taking place in Leeds, Yorkshire, on 13 March.

BAME Wine Professionals announce winners of Louis Roederer Bursary

BAME Wine Professionals, the not-for-profit initiative that shines a light on wine talent in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, has revealed the winners of its annual Champagne Louis Roederer Bursary.

New Zealand's new release tasting returns after three years

The New Zealand Winegrowers’ New Release Tasting returns next week for the first time in three years and will be held at 67 Pall Mall in London.

Alsace decides to stick with online/virtual post-pandemic

2021 marked the first Millésimes Alsace Digitasting, the first virtual Wine Trade Show entirely organised by an appellation. The event comprised 10,000 tasting boxes and almost 4,000 ‘visitors’ from a total of 55 countries. It was an ambitious move that paid dividends, with 97% of visitors surveyed at the end of the Show stating they would participate again. 

BACC to host Mendoza tasting for UK trade

The British Argentine Chamber of Commerce (BACC) will welcome a Wine and Luxury Tourism Trade Delegation from the 14 to the 16 of November. 

Hospices de Beaune will pay tribute to the late Louis-Fabrice Latour

The 162nd edition of the annual Hospices de Beaune wine sale on Sunday, 20 November will present a total of 51 different cuvées of the 2022 vintage produced from vineyards across the Hospices’ 60-hectare holdings, now in its second year of organic conversion. 

Registrations open for Discover Rioja’s 100km of Diversity trade tasting in London

100km of Diversity offers the chance to connect with over forty producers, winemakers and importers, many of whom will be travelling to London from Rioja to share the unique stories behind their wines. Visitors will be able to try the latest Viñedo Singulares, the finest Espumoso de Rioja, barrel-aged whites, elegant rosados, classic Gran Reservas and everything in between. There will also be the chance to discover wines not yet available in the UK.  

October is the month of Rioja

Following the success of its inaugural 2021 launch, Rioja wine month is back with a 41% uplift in participants compared to last year.

The World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 revealed

Liquid Icons & Gérard Basset Foundation announce recipient of inaugural diversity scholarship in spirits

Liquid Icons, the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET, have announced the recipient of the inaugural Hennessy Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship in Spirits.

Liquid Icons announces recipients of 2022 diversity scholarships

Liquid Icons, the fine wine company founded by the late Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET, have announced the recipients of The 2022 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships.

The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022 announces medal results

The medal winners of the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) were announced today (September 16), with a total of 147 Gold & 249 Silver medals awarded in this year’s competition.

Businesses urged to get behind ‘Hospitality Apprenticeships Week’

Trade bodies, charities and training providers have come together to promote Hospitality Apprenticeships Week 2022, running between 3 and 9 October.

Masons of Yorkshire launches Cocktail Star of the North competition

The fully-independent gin business, Masons of Yorkshire, is leading a search for the next ‘bartending star’ in the North of England.

WSET to hold first virtual open house for prospective students

WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) is to hold its first ‘virtual open house’ event on 19-20 October 2022 as part of an ongoing drive to raise awareness of its qualifications within the global drinks trade. 

Sake is set to take London restaurants by storm this October

Restaurants across the capital will be celebrating Sake next month, with a range of special promotions launching on 1 October – World Sake Day.