Tom Platt: Liberty’s performance has been resilient

Ahead of importer Liberty Wines’ Autumn Portfolio Tasting tomorrow (Tuesday 15 September), Harpers caught up with CEO Tom Platt to discuss a strong past year of trading for the distributor, with “double-digit” sales growth; the importance of adapting operations to customer feedback; and Liberty’s landmark 30th anniversary next year.

Flint welcomes several leading Cape producers

London merchant Flint Wines has added 11 South African wine brands to the range, supported by a new partnership with specialist importer Dreyfus Ashby.

TWE announces major portfolio overhaul

Multinational Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has unveiled plans to streamline its portfolio from 76 brands to fewer than 30 over the coming years, with a renewed focus on luxury labels, lighter styles and no/low-alcohol categories.

Champagne Deutz joins MMD UK portfolio

Maisons Marques et Domaines has announced that it will be taking on UK distribution for Champagne Deutz from 1 July 2026.

Producer Q&A: Grégoire Gueden, CEO, Spiribam

How was Spiribam founded and what is the ethos of the company?

Graft Wine adds Champagne Pertois-Moriset to its portfolio

Independent importer Graft Wine has announced the addition of third-generation family grower Champagne Pertois-Moriset to its portfolio.

‘Blindfold is off’: Optimistic outlook at Fells portfolio tasting

At Fells’ busy annual portfolio tasting at the Thames-side IET London, a positive mood was on display, particularly from MD at the importer, Euan Mackay. After a year of government-induced challenges, he believes the business is now well adapted to recent changes.

Hallgarten aims for greater parity across all trade sectors

Many have watched with interest as Hallgarten & Novum Wines has grown in reach and scale since its acquisition by Coterie Holdings and, with Hallgarten’s MD Andrew Bewes to step down this March, more details of its new direction are emerging. And that evolution includes driving growth across the off-trade to achieve greater parity with its on-trade sales, which traditionally have accounted for around 80% of Hallgarten’s business.

Hallgarten & Novum expands Californian portfolio

Specialist wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has partnered with Freemark Abbey (pictured) – a Napa Valley producer, and La Crema – based in the Russian River Valley, expanding its Californian range.

WineCap sketches shifting fortunes of Bordeaux and Burgundy

Ahead of its End of Year Report, wine investment platform WineCap has published a fascinating insight into the shifting alignment of fine wine investment rivals Bordeaux and Burgundy.

Fells partners with Maison Louis Latour

John E. Fells has announced that it is folding Burgundy producer Maison Louis Latour into its portfolio with effect from 15 September.

Loch Lomond Group acquires New York Distilling Company

Scotch producer Loch Lomond Group has announced the acquisition of the Brooklyn-based New York Distilling Company. The stateside distiller will join the likes of Loch Lomond and Glen Scotia whiskies in the group’s well-known portfolio.

Friday Read: Charting Armit’s InVivo-backed ambitions

The annual Armit Wines portfolio tasting (pictured) aways brings a spot of vinous glamour to the busy London tasting calendar, following on from launch events for new vintages of the likes of 2023 Guidalberto and 2022 Sassicaia at various buzzing London restaurants for the lucky few. And, in addition to such highlights from its top Italian-leaning portfolio, this year the importer launched a new initiative in the form of what was modestly described as a ‘press lunch’, where various senior editors, writers and critics gathered to for a lively debate on how best to engage a younger generation with fine wines.

Profile: Fell’s stylish evolution

Following portfolio additions and a team restructure, there’s an upbeat mood at Fells, as Andrew Catchpole discovers.

Hallgarten adds Idris Elba-founded Porte Noire to portfolio

Hallgarten & Novum Wine has entered a partnership with luxury wine and Champagne brand, Porte Noire, which will see increased distribution of the brand’s wines across Hallgarten’s on and off-trade channels.

Craggy Range among Hallgarten NZ portfolio additions

The specialist importer has continued its portfolio expansion drive with the addition of Kiwi stalwarts Craggy Range of Hawke’s Bay, North Canterbury’s Pyramid Valley, SPOKE Winery hailing from Marlborough and Nelson’s Neudorf.

Mentzendorff adds Napa Valley icon to portfolio

Proof Drinks announces the passing of co-founder James McDermott

Proof Drinks has announced the sad passing of its co-founder, James McDermott, who will be missed by all at the independent spirits distributor as well as his colleagues in the industry.

Liberty expands Spanish portfolio offerings

Liberty Wines has announced new additions to its Spanish portfolio by becoming the exclusive UK distributor for Casa Castillo from Jumilla and Celler del Roure from Valencia.

Hallgarten continues portfolio expansion with Italian additions

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has announced an expansion to its already diverse Italian portfolio with the announcement of four new suppliers. The specialist wine importer says the addition of Tuscan-based Villa Saletta and Petra, Alois Lageder from Alto Adige and Prosecco producer, Masottina, will enhance its Italian range.