Jerry Lockspeiser: Britain 2021 – Fear or opportunity?

As we come to the end of this extraordinary year and look towards the future, are we filled with feelings of fear or opportunity, or a strange mix of both?

South Africa looks to higher ground

Hard hit by the pandemic, South Africa’s winemakers are proving their resilience and fighting back with an eye on higher quality and pricing. By Andrew Catchpole

Lindeman's goes carbon neutral in Europe

The Lindeman’s wine brand is set to be certified carbon neutral in Europe, thanks to a new partnership between brand-owner Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) and the Carbon Trust.

Long Read: Does sustainability sell? The new factors driving purchaser decision-making

Drawing on data from a recent survey of over 500 wine and spirits drinkers, Callum Saunders, head of planning at brand activation marketing agency Zeal Creative, shows how that focus on sustainability is increasing, not decreasing, as a result of the pressures of Covid.

Mentzendorff makes strategic adjustments to a new norm

Andrew Catchpole talks to Mentzendorff boss Andrew Hawes pre and post-lockdown

Journey's End launches AR-label range

Stellenbosch winery Journey’s End has launched a new range of six wines with augmented reality labels.

Brand and packaging rethink needed as convenience and sustainability trends accelerate

A major shift in the way alcoholic drinks are packaged, dispensed and branded may well be here to stay in the wake of the pandemic.

Major brands “reallocating” funds away from on-trade into e-commerce and DTC

The Covid-19 pandemic is facilitating a long-term shift among many of the world’s leading drinks brands’ strategies, it has been suggested, as owners begin to adopt a more “nuanced” approach to channel distribution.

Friday Read: What’s going to drive us to drink after the pandemic?

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, looks at the impact that the lockdown will have on our future drinks choices

Two out of the UK’s top five alcohol brands are wine

Wine has taken two of the top spots as the most purchased alcohol brands in the UK off-trade, with Hardys and McGuigan in second and fourth place respectively.

US number one hard seltzer brand sets it sights on UK domination

White Claw, the brand which has ignited a seltzer storm in the US, is now looking to replicate its success across the pond.

Q&A: Bruce Jack, The Drift Estate, Bruce Jack Wines, La Bascula

Andrew Catchpole catches up with the irrepressible Bruce Jack for the lowdown on life during the Covid crisis and publishing his own magazine.

Hardys focuses new branding around “certainty in uncertain times”

Hardys has unveiled a new look for its global branding while also offering customers a 100% money back guarantee with the aim of becoming “a top 10 global power brand by 2025”.

Quintessential adds two to senior team

International spirits producer Quintessential Brands has strengthened its management team with two senior hires.

Former Blue Peter presenter jumps ship to head up Mangrove marketing

Accolade appoints new European marketing director

Accolade Wines has appointed Caroline Thompson-Hill to the role of European marketing director.

Tempus Two targets consumer thirst for Oz Sauvignon Blanc

Premium Australian wine brand Tempus Two, which is part of the Australian Vintage portfolio, has added a Sauvignon Blanc to its Quartz series.

Shoppers prize green values over brand loyalty, research shows

Over three-quarters of UK grocery buyers have made buying decisions based on a brand’s environmental policies in the last year, new research from data insights consultancy Kantar has revealed.

Speciality Brands signs distribution deal for Beluga

Speciality Brands has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for vodka brand Beluga.

New MD for Mast-Jägermeister UK

Mast-Jägermeister has appointed Michael Cleary as its new managing director for the UK.