Andrew Bewes: Consolidation is forcing suppliers and industry to adapt

At last week's Hallgarten Druitt annual trade tasting held in London, managing director Andrew Bewes, discussed the impact consolidation is having on the industry, how it forcing suppliers to up their service offering, but also changing the way the trade is sourcing its wine.

Enotria & Coe to reveal raft of new wines at major post-merger tasting

Enotria & Coe has unveiled the line-up for its first Showcase Tasting since the two companies merged last year.

Q&A: Gary Cann, BWS procurement manager, Living Ventures Group

Gary Cann is the buyer at Manchester's leading bar and restaurant operator and he talks about drinks trends and the challenges of meeting these as an expanding on-trade group

Analysis: Conviviality brings Matthew Clark business into the fold

The impact of Conviviality's acquisition of Matthew Clark is just beginning to be felt as it renegotiates with suppliers

The rise of the Drink's Consultant

Smaller drinks lists, coupled with the trend towards more casual dining, is favouring consultants over sommeliers

Chile's Viña Ventisquero in on-trade push with brand ambassador hire

Leading Chilean winery Viña Ventisquero has appointed sommelier Janina Doyle as its UK brand ambassador.

Instil adds five craft gins as it readies for March relaunch

Instil Drinks Company, the beer and niche spirits trading arm of Bibendum PLB, has added five new artisan gin distilleries to its portfolio ahead of its relaunch in London on March 1.

The Botanist attempts world record gin tasting

Manchester-based bar chain The Botanist is hoping the host the world's biggest gin tasting this Thursday.

Champagne Deutz partners with Garsington Opera for 2016 season

Champagne Deutz is to be the official champagne partner for the 2016 season of the Garsington Opera.

New partnerships to be unveiled at Ehrmanns 2016 tastings

Hall & Woodhouse to raise £250,000 for children's hospice charity

Family-owned Dorset brewer, Hall & Woodhouse, has partnered with the Together for Short Lives charity to raise £250,000 over the next two years.

Pinkster hires Diageo's van Buuren in on-trade push

Former Diageo on-trade director, Martjin van Buuren has joined the team at Pinkster Gin to help develop an on-trade strategy for the company as its pace of growth escalates.

Matthew Clark 2016 tasting details announced

Leading on-trade distributor Matthew Clark has announced the details of its annual tasting, to be held at London's Tobacco Dock on March 8.

New UK managing director for Sogrape

Portuguese wine producer Sogrape has appointed Gonçalo Sousa Machado as its new managing director in the UK.

Conviviality half-year figures show impact of Matthew Clark acquisition

Conviviality plc has released its first half-year results since its reverse takeover of leading on-trade distributor Matthew Clark last autumn.

Warner Edwards reaps rewards of on-trade effort

Northampton-based gin distillers, Warner Edwards grew by 400% in the on-trade across 2015, the company has said.

Insights: On-trade needs to embrace social media to drive footfall and sales

There is a promising shift in the role of social media in the on-trade, but are pubs and bars missing out on a lucrative sales opportunity?

Exton Park partners with H2Vin for on-trade push

Newly launched Hampshire vineyard Exton Park has partnered with premium on-trade distribution specialist H2Vin to push its wines to restaurants and hotels in London and elsewhere.

Young consumers are making UK leisure spend more diverse, survey shows

The thirst for new experiences among young consumers is driving a trend towards diversity in leisure spending, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Trend Tracker.

Inaugural Gekkeikan Masters Cooking Competition winner revealed

The winner of the inaugural Gekkeikan Masters Cooking Competition 2016 has been announced.