UK trade's first chance to taste New Zealand's "best ever" vintage

The UK wine trade will get its first chance to taste wines from what is claimed could be the best New Zealand wine vintage in history at a special New Release Tasting organised by New Zealand Winegrowersin London on November 5.

Stronger supplier relations are key to tackling global wine shortage says Virgin Wines

If the global wine market is to cope with the on-going issue of consumer demand outstripping wine supply it has to focus on building stronger trade relations between buyers and producers, according to Andrew Baker, head wine buyer for Virgin Wines, the major UK wine retailer, comments on the UK market.

Shoppers are switching to mobile phone loyalty schemes

Shoppers are now using more loyalty schemes through their mobile phones than they are using traditional card schemes kept in their wallets and purses.

Third National Wine Week to be held in build up to Christmas

A "National Wine Week" is to be run for the third time in the lead up to Christmas in the hope of bringing focused consumer and media attention to the category.

Industry leaders confident about global economy says Wine Vision study

Up to 75% of the wine industry executives set to attend next month's inaugural Wine Vision conference said they were "confident" or "very confident" about the global economy and its impact on the sector.

James McKenna to switch from Codorniu to Mentzendorff

James McKenna is to join Mentzendorff & Co as sales director in the new year.

Relationship between winemakers and wine "lovers" is like a "bad marriage"

The relationship between winemakers and wine lovers is like a bad marriage with a major disconnect between the two, according to wine consultant Clark Smith.

DWCC 2014 heads for Montreux in Switzerland

The 2014 Digital Wine Communications Conference is to be held in Montreux, Switzerland.

Jancis Robinson MW gives her backing for formal wine education

Jancis Robinson OBE MW has given her backing for structured formal wine education at a special event for Diploma graduates of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in New York.

Wine industry's inability to understand consumers is "preventing" many from liking wine

The wine industry is "preventing" the average consumer from fully "understanding and liking" wine as it has no idea how to communicate with them, according to Tim Hanni MW speaking at the Digital Wine Communications Conference this weekend.

Key for future sales is teaching next generation about the language of taste

If the wine industry is to attract new consumers to the category it should look to work with the education sector in teaching children about the language of taste and understanding what different tastes are.

Climate change not about winners and losers, hears conference

The climate change debate should not be viewed as who are going to the winners and losers of rising global temperatures, according to Christian Holthausen of English producer Nyetimber.

Climate change could render wine countries unfit for growth

Climate change could see large swathes of the world's current wine-producing countries become unsuitable for growing grapes by 2050, according to a debate at today's Digital Wine Communications Conference.

Negociants UK to help widen distribution for Sam Neill's Two Paddocks wines in the UK

Negociants UK has taken on the widespread distribution for the premium Two Paddocks range of wines from Central Otago, New Zealand, produced by actor Sam Neill.

International wine trade gathers for Digital Wine Communications Conference

The international wine communications community has congregated in Logrono, Rioja, this week to share the latest thinking on digital trends and social media.

French Wine Awards 2013 winners revealed

Waitrose, Les Caves de Pyrène, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Gerard Basset MS OBE and Andrew Jefford were some of the major winners in the first Harpers French Wine Awards announced yesterday at its inaugural France Summit in London.

French attitude to UK wine market improved, hears summit

There has been a marked improvement in recent years in the attitude of many French producers looking to work in the UK market, according to Anne Burchett, managing director of Sopexa UK. 

Fears France's latest vintage will put pressure on UK retailers

Whilst the French wine category is currently enjoying "unprecedented" sales in some UK retailers, there are real concerns about what impact this year's expected troubled vintage is going to have on the market in the year ahead.

Gavin Quinney scoops Special Recognition accolade at French Wine Awards

Gavin Quinney, the English winemaker who owns and produces wine at Château Bauduc in Bordeaux, has won the Special Recognition Award at the first Harpers French Wine Awards.

Origin Wine hires Phil Reedman MW to cover Australia