Rum sales leap 7% in the on-trade

Sales of rum in the UK on-trade rose 7% year-on-year in 2019, according to the latest data from food-and-drink research analysts CGA.

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.

Low and no on-trade sales soar by nearly 50%

Sales of no- and low-alcohol drinks in the on-trade have risen nearly 50% in the last year, according to a new report from food-and-drink sector analysts CGA.

Cava Discovery Week aims to get consumers drinking “better cava”

"The future’s about quality” is the tag line for a new campaign which is looking to reinstate Cava’s premium position in the UK market.

Aldi launches free online wine course

Discount multiple retailer Aldi has unveiled a free new online wine course aimed at helping consumers find their way around the wine aisle.

Harpers to host sparkling wine discussion at Bellavita

Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole will host a roundtable on sparkling wines at Mediterranean food and wine fair Bellavita next week.

UK cocktail market passes £600m

UK spirits lovers drank £604m of cocktails in the last year, according to the latest quarterly Mixed Drinks report from market analysts CGA.

WSET research throws damning light on UK wine knowledge

The term ‘corked’ refers to broken pieces of cork in a wine bottle and ‘terroir’ is a genre of French horror film, according to many consumers in our great wine-drinking nation.

More segmentation around Christmas needed as trading up accelerates

Pernod Ricard is encouraging retailers and on-trade operators to think about Christmas in a series of moments and occasions that run throughout October, November and December, with different opportunities at different points through the three-month period.

Sustainability: a transatlantic conversation with California Wines

Harpers and California Wine Institute hosted an insightful and far-reaching seminar at London’s Design Museum, delivering the core message that the wine world is well-placed to better engage consumers in supporting the true costs of advancing sustainability. Andrew Catchpole reports

Wine revealed as Britain’s favourite alcoholic drink

Wine has beaten beer and spirits to become the favoured tipple of UK drinkers, according to a new survey of 2,000 consumers from Yougov.

Half of China's middle class population drinks imported wine

Despite falling wine import volumes, China continues to mature as a market, according to the latest country report from Wine Intelligence.

Wet-led businesses helping high street to recover from “poisonous cocktail” of regulatory costs

Renewed investor interest is improving the health of a malnourished high street – driven mostly by wet-led venues, a group of suppliers and industry leaders were told this morning.

Cocktail-drinking Brits are flavour-phobic, research suggests

British cocktail lovers are afraid to experiment with new flavours, research has revealed.

In store rationalisation means consumers are seeking out diversity online

Wine is the most frequently purchased alcoholic beverage online, it has been revealed, as consumers increasingly turn to the web to seek out the product diversity that’s been lost from the high street.

LWF: Consumers value experiences over value for money, says CGA

There has been a major shift in the way consumers decide which venues to visit, with the promise of entertainment and engagement now taking precedent over value for money.

Guy Woodward: On good breeding in wine

From the moment visitors touch down at Lexington’s Blue Grass airport, they are confronted with stylised images of two of Kentucky’s most prominent industries. The local tourist board seems keener, funnily enough, to promote the state’s whiskies and horses than its other famous export. Compliant stooge that I am, I took in both pursuits over the course of a whistle-stop tour last month.

People's Choice Awards recognises women-driven wines

A wine competition judged by consumers has added a new category to highlight the contributions of female winemakers.

Guy Woodward: I'm not trying to do sommeliers out of a job, but...

Beauty and convenience trends ready to rock the boat in 2019

Healthy ageing and convenience are emerging opportunities for the drink sector next year, according to the Mintel Global food and drinks trends report 2019.