Oz wine exports to UK highest in a decade

Australian wine exports to the UK reached their highest level in a decade during the 2020–21 financial year, according to the latest Wine Australia Export Report released today.

IWC 2021 award winners revealed

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has revealed the winners of its much anticipated annual awards at its first in-person gala dinner this evening since the beginning of the pandemic.

Chaine’s GB young chef and somm winning duo announced

Chef Kieran Bradley and sommelier Markron Patana have been announced as the winners of the Chaine des Rotisseurs Awards, recognising up-and-coming young talent in the industry.

Hospitality predicted to bounce back and exceed 2019 sales in 2022

The total eating and drinking out market is expected to see 44.7% YOY growth in 2022, the equivalent value of almost £92bn and surpassing its 2019 value growth as pent up demand is set to give the sector a boost in its recovery from the pandemic.

Journey’s End Foundation reaches milestone of 500,000 charitable meals

Stellenbosch based winery Journey’s End has surpassed the remarkable milestone of providing 500,000 free meals to their local community with the aim of serving up one million meals by the end of 2021.

Long Read: Accolade shakes up its global fine wine strategy

Five minutes with Kit Ellen, Exton Park

Kit Ellen, MD at Hampshire’s Exton Park, distributed in the UK by Bancroft Wines, talks to Jo Gilbert about the winery’s intriguing shift in focus to ‘reserve blends’, a new standard-bearer for the wines based on its 10-year library of reserves.

Harpers Wine Stars 2022 now open for entries

Harpers Wine Stars 2022 is welcoming entries for this year’s competition.

Long Read: A new script for wine writing

The Zoom option meant this year’s Symposium for Professional Wine Writers organised by Meadowood in Napa, California, attracted its largest number of attendees: 303. Typically about 24 have attended in person since the symposium launched in 2004.

Atkin awards first South American perfect score to wine from “best ever” Argentina vintage

Harpers columnist and UK wine writer Tim Atkin MW has given his seal of approval to the 2019 Argentinian vintage, which he says is “the best I’ve tasted” from the country.

Numbers 2020: A black swan year

Fresh insights from Euromonitor’s annual data release shows that 2020 was a year of “unprecedented collapse” for BWS globally without the counterbalancing regional effect that buoyed markets during the 2008/9 financial crash. Jo Gilbert looks at the year’s volume figures to break down how global sectors were impacted.

IWC announces 2021 winners

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has announced the winners of its 2021 competition, with a haul of 6,800 medals being claimed across over 40 countries.

Digital strategies and synergies continue to rise in importance as businesses physically reopen

Online services continue to grow in importance, key sources have highlighted this week, as online retail sales continue to strengthen despite physical stores reopening, and as digital strategies and e-booking becomes more important than ever for bars and restaurants re-launching to demob-happy crowds.

PM confirms reopening of hospitality from 17 May

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that hospitality venues will be able to open for indoor trading from 17 May, as part of the next stage of restrictions being lifted.

Into the unknown with Ross Carter, The Drinks Trust

Lisa Riley meets with Ross Carter, whose short tenure as CEO of The Drinks Trust so far has taken him through a turbulent and unprecedented time.

Mark McClintock crowned as GB Bartender of the Year

Diageo World Class Competition 2021 has awarded London-based Mark McClintock the title of GB Bartender of the Year.

Vineyard area edges back to Europe as Spain and France rise and China's growth slows

Vineyard surface area saw some subtle yet far reaching shifts in 2020, with China falling into third place behind Spain and France as EU plantings stabilise and China's plantings slow.

Frost signals “significantly smaller” vintage for New Zealand harvest

Cooler spring weather and late frosts have led to a “significantly smaller vintage” for 2021, New Zealand Winegrowers has said, applying pressure at a time when the industry is facing increased production costs.

Soaring sherry sales prop up Tio Pepe’s 12th release

Spirits vs Wine: Rolling with the times

Definitive figures from Kantar show just how much shopping habits changed in 2020, with spirits overtaking wine in baskets for the first time and online reaching hitherto unmatched heights, as Jo Gilbert discovers.