Duty coincides with drinking trends says Kingsland Drinks

As 2023 draws to a close, independent UK supplier, Kingsland Drinks, has revealed its insights on key areas to watch out for in 2024, looking at incoming drinks trends in wine, spirits and RTDs.

WBWE 2023: Bulk and the path to Cop 28

As the global supply chain continues to operate in a state of flux, bulk shipping is becoming an increasingly attractive – and sustainable – proposition for wine businesses around the world… if only the required number of flexitanks and containers remain in operation.

Exclusive: Encirc adds major new rail link for UK wine

Harpers can reveal that glass manufacturer and bottler, Encirc, has begun to make use of the railhead at Elton, Cheshire, as part of a major step towards creating an ‘ultra-sustainable’ intermodal transport network for glass in the UK.

Broadland inks major contract with Frugalpac

Norfolk-based drinks producer and co-packer Broadland Drinks is set to become the UK’s largest filler of ‘Frugal Bottles’ in a milestone partnership with Journey’s End and British sustainable packaging company Frugalpac.

Vineyards become the fastest growing crop in England

Wine grapes are the fastest-growing edible agricultural crop sector for human consumption in England, it has been confirmed, with recent statistics from Defra putting the growth of vineyard hectarage in pole position.

Soapbox: Calling time on sustainability inaction

With emissions targets slipping away, Denomination’s strategy director Mariella Menato urges action across the drinks industry

Exclusive: BWS falls into sustainability perception gap

In many ways, alcohol seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability agendas. Wine producers around the world work on nature’s front line and are among the few sectors to have successfully high recycling rates globally via glass. Spirits have been at the forefront of experiments with alternative formats and zero waste projects.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Growth is central to business strategy. Is it time to change?

Many years ago I was asked to act as a strategic consultant to a Chilean wine business. They wanted help with reformulating their strategy, first to achieve break even, then to reach sustainable profitability. The business was 100% targeted at export markets, with the UK a key priority.

The drinks brand using ‘deconstructive ethanology’

A brand-new patented process, which removes the water and alcohol from any spirit, has been launched by Hocus Drinks.

Wine Society outlines bold new sustainable initiatives

The Wine Society is to further its sustainable credentials with both a producer-focused insetting fund and a drive to 100% lighter weight glass across its portfolio.

New look Wine GB leadership team looks to the future

Wine GB opened its annual tasting at Battersea Arts Centre this morning, with a briefing which sketched what the future might look like for the the UK’s homegrown wine industry.

Tech: Wine goes heavy on sustainability

Lightweighting is often the first stop for businesses in their sustainability journey. In recent years, the industry has moved on to bigger, more holistic goals. However, innovation around changing both minds and bottle weight continues, writes Jo Gilbert.

Global beverage industry lags behind green targets

A new report has said the global beverage industry could achieve its emissions reduction goals by 2028 if a clear plan is put in place. However, it is not currently on course to meet either its 2030 or 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) targets.

Friday read: Can sustainability and luxury co-exist?

The Wine Society trials recycled plastic bottles

Following the publication of its Alternative Packaging for Wine report in May, The Wine Society has embarked on the second phase of its packaging trial. This week, four of The Society’s most popular wines, including its top-selling wine, The Society’s White Burgundy, will be released in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles.

Alliance aims to formalise waste removal from tastings

Alliance Wine has announced a partnership with the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) on a project which aims to remove waste from tastings, with best practice to be shared with the wider trade. 

Sustainability Report: Work in progress

The takeaways from both a Harpers sustainability panel and a joint session with Enotria & Coe at LWF all pointed to the ever-increasing need to act – and act fast – to stay ahead of the curve.

Scottish DRS delayed until 2025

The Scottish Government has officially announced a delay to the launch of its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) until October 2025, following weeks of speculation as to the future of the initiative and a UK-government enforced exemption of glass.

Villa Maria embraces bulk in drive to cut emissions

The Indevin Group, owners of New Zealand brand Villa Maria, has announced plans to ship a selection of its wines to the UK in bulk. They will then be bottled by the firm Encric, at its plant in Cheshire.

The Wine Society puts six of its best in BiB

The Wine Society has announced the launch of an alternative packaging trial, which will see several of its top SKUs becoming available via bag-in-box (BiB).