Looking back on 2012 for the wine trade: part 1

Reflecting on 2012, and checking out some of our most popular articles both online and in the magazine, it's evident the trade didn't have an easy year. But it certainly wasn't all doom and gloom. A quick run-down picks up diverse themes incorporating everything from the Olympics, companies collapsing, generic bodies coming up with new approaches, UK-based firms taking closer looks at overseas markets in order to maximise returns, a host of changes at the top within the UK's leading wine businesses and the unstoppable juggernaut that is the alcohol duty escalator.

Three Barrels launches 50cl and undergoes image revamp

Three Barrels has announced the launch of a 50cl VSOP in a bid to meet growing consumer demand for a selection of premium spirits across a range of price points.

How Champagne will be one of the cheapest parts of this year's Christmas dinner

Whilst the cost of much of our Christmas dinner has soared in the last five years, the average price of the cheapest bottle of Champagne is nearly 10% cheaper.

Meet the buyers: Morrisons

English sparkling wine sales soar in the run-up to Christmas

Corks are popping for English sparkling wine sales in the run up to Christmas.

Supermarkets see sales slowdown ahead of Christmas

Supermarket sales of beers, wines and spirits remain flat, reflecting what retail analysts believe is the cautious mood among consumers ahead of December and the festive period.

BWS figures remain flat heading in to festive period

Supermarket sales of beers, wines and spirits remain flat reflecting what retail analysts believe is the cautious mood amongst consumers ahead of December and the festive period.

Own-label wine sales flat

Despite huge investment in own-label wines by the major retailers, volumes are flat across the trade in the past year.

Morrisons online wine store goes live

Morrisons Cellar, the supermarket's online wine store which aims to boost its wine sales by £100 million, has gone live.

Distell launches new sparkler in UK

Distell is hoping to cash in on consumer demand for lower-alcohol wines with its new sparkling white.

Tesco lists Midori in run-up to Christmas

Cellar Trends-distributed liqueur brand Midori is to be listed in 446 Tesco stores in the run-up to Christmas, on the back of growth in the take-home cocktail market.

Spanish makeover for classic Rhône blend

Buckingham Schenk is rolling out a new Spanish take on the classic Rhône blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre.

Radical range revamp for Morrisons

Morrisons plans to boost wine sales by £100 million in the next three years via a radical range revamp, consumer profiling and the launch of online sales.

WineStars Twist selects Argentinian wineries

Eleven Argentinian wineries looking for UK distribution have been shortlisted in a competition to gain listings with independent and multiple retailers in the UK on and off-trade.

Morrisons to launch first dedicated sales website for wine

Morrisons is to launch its first dedicated online transactional website for wine this autumn as part of a wider shake up of its overall ecommerce offer.

Morrisons Arabella Woodrow leaves supermarket

Morrisons wine development manager Arabella Woodrow MW has left the supermarket following a restructure.

WineStars initiative returns with a Twist

WineStars, the initiative launched at the LIWF that helped unrepresented producers showcase their wines in front of a panel of judges, is to return to the Wines of Argentina Annual Trade Tasting.

Morrisons' wine buyer to open Leeds bar

A Morrisons' wine buyer is set to open a new upmarket wine bar in Leeds later this week, alongside her technology entrepreneur business partner.

Gallo's Barefoot brand triumphs at What Food, What Wine?

E&J Gallo's Barefoot label has fooled MWs who think "big equals bad" after winning three trophies and five 5-star awards in the blindly judged competition What Food, What Wine?

Morrisons adds Caviro wines to range

Morrisons is to take on two new wines from the Italian wine co-operative Caviro - Pinot Grigio Blush delle Venezie IGT and Garganega Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT.