Global wine markets: China shines as Brexit Britain picks up wooden spoon

The second annual ProWein Business Report looking at the attractiveness of international export markets for wine has placed China in pole position for the first time.

Rhône coops chase cru margins to balance tough market

Rhône Valley cooperatives are on a mission to premiumise their offering, as market pressures mean they can “no longer compete with the New World at £3 a bottle”.

Cognac sets new export record

Cognac exports have achieved their fourth consecutive year of growth, driven by continued thirst for the historic French brandy in the US.

Wine set to help global alcohol consumption to reach £830bn by 2022

A relatively sunny outlook is being forecast for the global alcohol industry over the next five years, with the wine set to see the largest portion of growth.

Global wine market grows value sales against static volume

“Short-sighted” Bordeaux En Primeur strategies leave little to no value for the trade

A “lack of wines priced attractively” has been blamed for a less than successful 2017 Bordeaux campaign.

Two restaurants closing a week, but UK dining scene shows reverse North-South divide

The number of licenced restaurant in the UK has fallen by -1.3% in the twelve months to March 2018, with the total number dining outlets also falling by 0.4%, according to the recent Market Growth Monitor report from CGA.

Cutty Sark set for sale as owner Edrington reports 7% growth

Famous Grouse, Macallan and Highland Park owner Edrington has reported a 7% uplift in sales despite ongoing challenges in the blended Scotch market.

Leading Spanish sangria to touch down in the UK

Spain’s Zamora Company has teamed up with independent distributor Indie Brands to launch its recently acquired premium sangria into the UK market.

Profile: Kingsland Drinks

By taking an holistic approach from sourcing to supply, Kingsland Drinks is injecting innovation along the way. Andrew Catchpole reports 

Maxxium UK rebrands in a bid to clarify market position

Maxxium UK, the UK’s sales and distribution arm of global companies Beam Suntory and Edrington has undergone an enormous period of change since 2009, when the head office of its global brand owners – then a mix of Edrington, Beam, Rémy Cointreau and former Absolut owner VMS – folded.

Balance of power shifts to producers as bulk wine outstrips bottled supply

Unpredictability is the new norm, securing supply has become more critical than price and power has shifted from buyers to producers.

Tre Bicchieri heads to London

As UK sales of Italian wine continue to boom, some of Italy’s top winemakers are converging in London next week for Tre Bicchieri Grand Tasting.

Conviviality sales surge 9.2% as market share grows

Sales at independent drinks distributor Conviviality surged by 9.2% to £836.3m in the 26 weeks to October 29 2017, the group announced today.

ADT suppliers up their Oz bids as competition ramps up from China and the US

A hardy – dare we suggest, typically Australian – attitude to price hikes and supply challenges was the main exhibit at yesterday’s Australia Day Tasting, where plenty of creative and business flair set out the category’s stall for 2018.

French grapefruit aperitif goes up against Aperol and Campari

UK spirits distributor Mangrove has announced the addition of French aperitif Pampelle to its portfolio – marking the liqueur’s worldwide launch.

Brexit and bad harvests could dampen supply of fizz

2018 could be the year that Brits’ love of sparkling catches up with them as experts predict a fizz shortage could be about to descend on the UK.

Gin sales soar by 7m bottles in 2017 as Brits vote juniper juice their favourite tipple

Gin sales have continued to soar as Brits bought over 47 million bottles over the last 12 months according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s latest market report.

“Bump in the road” predicted for imports of Oz wine

Retailers in the UK are being warned to take care when it comes to securing supply of Australian wine as increased competition from China and the US places pressure on exports.

Behind the scenes: Varietal clones at one of Argentina’s biggest producers

Harpers caught up with pioneering winemaker Santiago Mayorga at Cadus – the premium arm of Nieto Senetiner, one of Argentina’s largest producers – who revealed his experimentation with Malbec clones for the first time.