Green logistics

As Kermit the Frog famously noted in song, it’s not easy being green. For the wine trade the sentiment translates into the problem of how to be environmentally friendly in a business that involves moving vast quantities of product around the globe. In the UK off-trade, where the New World has the upper hand, for example, around 60% of all the wine consumed comes from the deep-sea shipping sources of Australia, the US, Chile, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand.

Brand Ambassadors: Spreading the gospel

Glenfiddich's UK brand ambassador, Mark Thomson, is introducing the brand's new IPA beer-infused expression at a trade event in central London. "When I tell people I'm a brand ambassador they usually say: 'Yes, but what's your real job?'"

Best of British Beer

With so many beer styles available, pubs are doing themselves a disservice if they don't stock a great British selection.

Insights: Is it the end of the traditional wine shops?

As the competition hots up in independent retail with the introduction of more and more hybrid venues, could this spell the end for the traditional wine shop? Nigel Huddleston investigates 

Virgin Wines full-year results reveal business "ahead of schedule"

Virgin Wines boss Jay Wright says the company is "ahead of schedule" on a three-year plan put in place after its management buyout from Direct Wines in 2013.

Australia's Robert Oatley wines to join Hatch Mansfield portfolio

Hatch Mansfield will take on the UK agency for Australia's Robert Oatley Vineyards from January 1.

Fuller's to hand pub staff national living wage ahead of schedule

Fuller's is to bring in the national living wage rate of £7.20 an hour in for key pub staff six months ahead of it being made a national requirement.

Pilsner Urquell's tank beer concept hits the north

Pilsner Urquell Czech lager has rolled out its tank beer concept to northern England.

Denbies listing in Waitrose is a first for English dessert wine

Denbies claims to be the first English producer to have a dessert wine listed by a British supermarket with Waitrose taking its Noble Harvest Ortega 2014 in half-bottles.

Twitter tastings to run for International Sherry Week

Negociants showcases new Yalumba releases in Icon tasting

Yalumba supplier Negociants UK is to pit its New World wines against Old World counterparts in a tutorial as a curtain-raiser to its annual free-pour Icon Release Tasting.

Co-operative to sell wine made from Australian and New Zealand grapes

The Co-operative is to list a wine made with grapes from both Australia and New Zealand among a number of new additions to its range.

Gosset releases 2006 vintage through Louis Latour Agencies

Champagne Gosset has launched its latest vintage, Grand Millésime 2006.

US beer business is the shiniest star for Constellation as it posts 21% increase in earnings

Improved AB-Inbev bid not enough to tempt SAB Miller board

SAB Miller seems certain to reject an improved offer for the company from AB-Inbev.

Conviviality completes Matthew Clark acquisition and confirms change of name

Bargain Booze and Wine Rack owner Conviviality Retail has completed its £200 million acquisition of Matthew Clark.

Glenlivet opts for peated cask finish for latest Nàdurra series release

Pernod Ricard's Glenlivet single malt has launched the third expression of its Nàdurra cask finish range.

Tesco boss claims 'sustained improvement' but first-half profits fall by 54%

Tesco saw group operating profit before exceptional items fall by 54.6% to £354 million in the 26 weeks to August 29.

Hallgarten unleashes 14 wines from South Africa's 'frontier country'

Hallgarten is listing 14 wines from the Swartland region of South Africa.

Diageo strategy to release non-core assets brings sale of Red Stripe lager stake to Heineken

Diageo has handed over control of Red Stripe lager to Heineken by selling its stake in the Jamaican brand owner Desnoes & Geddes.