Expanding horizons: the Eastern European and Balkan styles in vogue

For the UK wine trade, 2024 was the year Central Europe and the Balkans went mainstream. A series of tastings highlighting wines from around the region, from countries within it (notably Hungary and Bulgaria, even tiny Moldova) and regions within countries (Hungary’s Tokaj, Serbia’s Vojvodina) dotted the London events calendar, with high attendance levels showing the scale of interest. Coming up is Furmint February, the annual event highlighting Hungary’s best-known variety; and in early spring, a second pan-CEE (Central and Eastern Europe) tasting.

Journey’s End teams up with Ingham to launch sustainable ‘punk’ wine brand

Wine trade veteran buyer Andrew Ingham is to launch an innovative new range in collaboration with Cape winery Journey’s End this autumn.

Garda DOC Consortium seeks higher profile in UK market

The president of the Garda DOC Consortium, Paolo Fiorini, has announced plans to raise awareness of the region’s wines in the UK, following a study undertaken by Wine Intelligence.

Broadcaster Helena Nicklin slams alcohol duty hikes as sexist

A member of the Amazon Prime series Three Drinkers has condemned Rishi Sunak’s proposed changes to the duty system as “punishing female consumers”, highlighting that wine is the most popular alcoholic drink among women in the UK.

Multiplying out

In the first of a regular look at the multiples, Andrew Catchpole sizes up the general health of the sector.

Trade urged to act ahead of duty review consultation deadline

With just four days to go before the 30 January consultation deadline on the UK Government’s proposed changes to the way excise duty on alcohol is calculated, the last chance to be heard is fast closing in.

Duty amends will “wipe out the benefits” of non-EU trade deals – make your voice heard

Accolade Wines is the latest major wine company to join calls urging the government to take stock of its alcohol duty review. 

New online retailer seeks to redefine the term 'plonk'

The founders of online wine retailer, Plonk, have unveiled their mission statement: rebrand and revitalise the use of this derisory epithet and repurpose it for a new generation of wine drinkers. 

Wine Drinkers UK call for wine duty freeze

A combination of climate change, labour shortages and increased shipping costs are threatening Britain’s wine supplies, with price rises likely to follow, Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) has claimed.

Harnessing Germany's ‘undiscovered’ potential

Germany is pretty much a blank slate for many consumers, but with contemporary wine styles that mean there’s all to play for.

Buying into South America

Buyers are finding wine drinkers more than willing to take a chance on non-Malbec reds from Chile
and Argentina, as Lisa Riley reports

Cork’s march to ascendancy

Having removed much of the taint of TCA to cork’s reputation, the classic stopper continues to establish itself as a benchmark of quality, as James Lawrence reports.

Wine Drinkers UK calls for first tax cut in 40 years

Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) have renewed their calls for the government to recognise wine as the UK’s favourite drink by cutting increasingly burdensome taxes.

Wine sales in US maintain pre-pandemic levels

Wine sales in the US have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels after an early spike in online sales, according to a new US Covid-19 Impact Report from Wine Intelligence.

Smartphones boost consumer interest in wine while ‘knowledge’ slides

The world’s wine drinkers are quickly becoming a population of confident connoisseurs thanks to widespread access to the internet and the ubiquity of smartphones. But are they any more knowledgeable offline?

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.

Why the wine industry must embrace its older drinkers

New research reveals the younger drinker continues to say no to wine while the over 45’s can’t get enough. This is a big opportunity, argues Neil Anderson of Kingsland Drinks.

Tim Atkin MW: Where wines really come from doesn’t matter to many

I’ve never been to the Phantom River in New Zealand’s South Island, but a quick search online shows that it rises in the Ben McLeod Range and joins the Orari River close to Peel Forest. With its echoes of nature, mystery and the gold rush, it’s a wonderful name for a Sauvignon Blanc brand. Punters clearly think so too, as Phantom River is currently selling several million bottles at £5 in Sainsbury’s.

Cono Sur targets foodies with new TV ads

Leading Chilean winery Cono Sur has launched a major new primetime TV ad campaign highlighting wine and food, which is set to reach 13 million viewers over six months.

Wine Intelligence highlights alternative format trends