Chaîne des Rôtisseurs 2020 award winners to be announced in November

Winners of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB Young Chef and Young Sommelier 2020 competitions will be announced at an awards dinner on 20 November. 

Primum Familiae Vini launches €100,000 annual prize

BWS sales through grocers continue to boom

Alcohol sales through grocery stores continued to boom in the past four weeks, up 43% year-on-year, as the on-trade stayed shuttered.

Cointreau steps up Drinks Trust support

Cointreau has teamed up with a London floral designer to launch a fundraising initiative in support of The Drinks Trust.

Pre-registration and ordering apps considered for on-trade reopening

On-trade visitors may have to register before going to pub, bars and restaurants, health secretary Matt Hancock has suggested.

Cramele Recas secures Waitrose listing

Cramele Recas has secured its first listing with Waitrose.

Research confirms protracted on-trade recovery

A new survey of UK Hospitality (UKH) members has confirmed that hospitality businesses are expecting a lengthy and painful recovery, with levels of trade expected to be significantly supressed for many months to come.

Government extends lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratorium

The government has extended the lease forfeiture and debt enforcement moratorium to the 30 September, giving hospitality businesses crucial breathing space. 

Bourgogne less impacted by Covid-19 than feared

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has recorded an overall dip in exports of 1.8% by volume for the first four months of 2020.

Ehrmanns pours Beefsteak into cans

Ehrmanns Wines has launched its Beefsteak Club Mendoza Malbec in 250ml can format (rrp: £2.99).

‘Distancing’ most important to on-trade guests post-lockdown

Having social distancing measures in place has been revealed to be the key concern for consumers when they return to the on-trade post-lockdown, according to new research released by Hallgarten & Novum Wines today. 

Waitrose expands English portfolio in a nod to English Wine Week

Waitrose is celebrating English Wine Week (20- 28 June) by launching five new and exclusive homegrown wines. 

Attention must switch from ‘distancing’ to ‘rent’, says Downey

Jonathan Downey has urged for the topic of conversation to switch from ‘distancing’ to ‘rent’, ahead of the 30 June expiry date of the lease forfeiture moratorium, and less than a week before another quarter’s rent is due.   

AA launches ‘Covid-19 Confident’ scheme to reassure customers

The AA has launches a Covid-19 Confident accreditation scheme for hospitality businesses that have put risk assessments and safety measures in place.  

Westminster City Council outlines reopening strategy for hospitality

Westminster City Council has outlined the measures it plans to implement in order to help hospitality businesses continue trading while social distancing remains in place. 

FDF calls on support for squeezed supply chain

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has warned that the ‘squeezed middle’ [supply chain] needs support if the hospitality restart is to succeed.

WSET branches out into beer qualifications

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is gearing up to launch a suite of beer qualifications.

NZW calls on UK to come with “fresh attitude” as trade negotiations begin

New Zealand’s wine sector has “warmly welcomed” the announcement that it is to begin trade negotiations with the UK, calling on Britain to come with a “fresh attitude”. 

Johnson urges continued patience in relation to reduction of 2 metre rule

Taking tonights briefing, PM Boris Johnson asked the hospitlity sector to remain patient in relation to reducing the 2 metre social distancing rule as the on-trade struggles to plan ahead of the mooted reopening on 4 July. 

Volume uplift in US off-trade offsets on-trade sales drop

US wine volume sales look set to be flat in 2020 with the Covid-19 led surge in off-trade sales balancing out the drop in on-trade sales, according to new Wine Intelligence research.