Guy Woodward: The perils of eco-friendly embellishment

I spent Christmas in South Carolina, to where my wife’s parents have just moved after three decades in Colorado. What with the new home and the festive season, there was much to celebrate. All of which, naturally, called for a special bottle.

Wine bulks up in value

Following the World Bulk Wine Exhibition in Amsterdam, James Bayley catches up with the OIV to get the global view.

Codorníu launches first still wine range in the UK

Sparkling juggernaut Codorníu is officially expanding its portfolio in the UK with the launch of the brand’s first-ever still wine collection.

Waitrose battles carbon

Waitrose has put emphasis on bulk wine shipping as an important factor in reducing its carbon footprint. James Bayley reports.

Flat bottle production set to rise via new ‘cutting-edge’ facility

Packamama, the eco flat bottle company behind the new-look Banrock Station, is upping its capacity via a new product-specific bottling line which looks set to significantly increase the presence of alternative format wines in markets like the UK.

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.