Lafite Rothschild voted wine of the 2018 Bordeaux vintage

Lafite Rothschild has been voted wine of the 2018 Bordeaux vintage in the Liv-ex 2018 En Primeur survey.

Bellavita Academy adds WSET courses

Bellavita Academy, provider of professional courses for chefs and sommeliers, has become an Approved Programme Provider (APP) for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

Online BWS sales grow ahead of market

The beer, wine and spirits (BWS) category recorded 9.6% growth in online sales last month compared to March 2018.

Brazilian wine market bounces back

The Brazilian wine market has recovered from its 2016 contraction, according to the latest country report from Wine Intelligence.

Dourthe achieves sustainability certifications

Bordeaux estate Dourthe has been awarded the Terra Vitis and High Environmental Value level 3 (HVE3) certifications in recognition of its environmental and CSR practices.

Santa Rita harvest reveals yields down, quality up

Santa Rita’s 2019 harvest has produced lower yields than normal but higher quality grapes, according to a report from the South American producer.

Crown Cellars adds 20 new wines to portfolio including exclusive quintet

Crown Cellars, the specialist on-trade wine division of Carlsberg UK, has added 20 new wines to its 2019/20 portfolio, including five exclusive to the business.

English and Welsh sparkling wine sales hit new record

Sales of English and Welsh sparkling wine rose 6% across the on and off-trade in 2018 compared to the previous year, according to WSTA data released today to coincide with St George’s Day.

Cutting Room heads to Fitzrovia

CUTTING ROOM

Ridgeview invests £1.8m in new winery to double production

Ridgeview Wine Estate has invested £1.8 million in a new winery with the aim of doubling production to 500,000 bottles by 2023.

Loire and NZ courtship ahead of Sauvignon Blanc Day

Generic bodies Central Loire, Loire Valley Wines and New Zealand Wine put aside their rivalry yesterday at 67 Pall Mall in a display of varietal unity ahead of Sauvignon Blanc Day on 3 May.

Jerry Lockspieser: Is it time to change the rules about wine?

Many years ago after visiting Vignoble de La Jasse, one of our excellent organic suppliers in the Rhone Valley, the owner Daniel Combe and I went for a coffee in his favourite roadside café. As we sat sipping our drinks, first one then a second large wine transporter went roaring past.

Hardys launches on-trade foodies wine range

Hardys, the wine brand from Accolade Wines, is targeting food matching with its new on-trade exclusive ‘Foodies Range’.

Alavesa name change to Euskadi to boost ‘weight and identity’ of Basque Rioja

The Rioja Alavesa Association (ABRA) has voted in favour of a name change to Association of Bodegas de Euskadi (ABE), while expanding its remit to all interested Basque wine producers.

Gramona president says Spanish fizz is in danger of becoming too splintered

The co-owner of family-owned Cava producer, Gramona, has voiced concerns over the fragmenting state of his country’s sparkling industry after too many designations have sprung up delineating Spanish fizz.

Guy Woodward: I'm not trying to do sommeliers out of a job, but...

Risky business in Rioja

Rioja’s new single-vineyard classification signals the region’s desire to go after greater premium market share. The big question is, will it succeed? 

Amathus Drinks adds Bodegas Argüeso to portfolio

Amathus Drinks has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor of sherry producer Bodegas Argüeso.

Global wine output reaches near record high of 2004

World wine production reached a near record high in 2018 in a clear departure from the historically low production of the previous year, but consumption stabilised, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

Vinoteca gears up for Birmingham launch

Wine bar and restaurant Vinoteca has announced plans to launch in Birmingham, marking the five-strong chain’s first outlet outside the capital.