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.

LWF: Beale describes path forward post UK 2020 ‘trade nadir’

The UK market remains an “attractive and diverse market place, but it is a very different one to the market it was 12 months ago”, according to Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Drinks suppliers ‘pulling out all stops’ as on-trade orders surge

UK on-trade drinks suppliers are cautiously optimistic that the surge in demand at venues able to offer outdoor service will continue as indoor trading returns.

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.

The life aquatic for English wine

Bordeaux’s Château La Fleur de Boüard joins Mentzendorff

Mentzendorff and Hubert de Boüard de Laforest have announced that Château La Fleur de Boüard will join the Mentzendorff portfolio with the first stocks of mature vintages being available from June 2021.

Freixenet Copestick becomes Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s UK distributor

Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Freixenet Copestick have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement which will see the latter become the UK importer and distributor for Bordeaux’s Mouton Cadet wine brand.

Last call for 50 Best Indies 2021 nominations

The chance to nominate your choices for the best in the business of indie drinks retailing remains open until midnight on Friday 14 May.

Wales’ restrictions relaxed further than England and Scotland with indoor reopening

Wales is the latest member of the UK to announce that hospitality businesses can open indoors from 17 May, following in the footsteps of England and Scotland, but with up to six people from different households able to meet.

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.

Austrian Wine records ‘significant’ UK sales increase

The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) has recorded a “significant” increase in sales of its wines in the UK and US following one of its largest retail campaigns in years. 

First CBD-infused wines out of South America land in UK

New CBD-infused wines from South America are to make their debut in the UK this month, adding the first Latin American flavour to this nascent category.

Preview: London Wine Fair 2021 heads online

The 40th London Wine Fair (LWF) is set to be a digital event this year, boasting a range of tastings, industry sessions, one-to-one meetings with winemakers and networking opportunities.

Jerry Lockspeiser: What business must learn from the European Super League fiasco

The fiasco over football’s proposed European Super League (ESL) has echoes for business everywhere. The issues raised by this failed venture should seep into the nooks and crannies of ancient wine cellars and waft into the boardrooms of drinks corporations across the globe.

ASDA groups wine by grape rather than region

Asda has unveiled a major change in the setup of its wine aisles by becoming the first major UK supermarket to group all wine by grape instead of by country.

Draycott to take helm at Gonzalez Byass UK

Melissa Draycott has been appointed MD of González Byass UK, effective from 1 September 2021, taking over the roll from Martin Skelton.

Brewers welcome “scrapped” Covid passports

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has responded to growing speculation that Covid “passports for the pub” have been shelved, calling pubs and taprooms across the country “safe” for reopening without additional red tape.

Hospitality in Wales and Scotland reopen with 8pm indoor curfew for Scotland

Hospitality businesses can now open in Wales and Scotland for the first time since December, with Scotland’s ‘indoors but without alcohol’ policy putting it ahead of England’s outdoor-only phase of its current roadmap.

Harpers 50 Best Indies 2021 – nominations invited

We are once again launching our annual 50 Best Indies Awards, to acknowledge the best in the business of indie drinks retailing.

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.