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.

Niepoort declares ‘epic’ 2017 vintage

Winemaker Dirk Niepoort has declared his 2017 vintage port, hailing it as “the best wine I’ve ever done” at a tasting for the trade at Lyle’s in London on Thursday.

Hallgarten’s Andrew Bewes and Steve Daniel on selling style

Premium sales, progressive lists, and off-piste portfolio additions are Hallgarten’s calling cards, as Andrew Catchpole discovers

Simpsons Wine Estate to showcase bumper 2018 harvest at LWF

Kent producer Simpsons Wine Estate is gearing up to unveil a number of new releases at next month's London Wine Fair (LWF).

The Naked Gun

The Majestic brand has taken a bullet and is soon to be haemorrhaging stores, handing an opportunity to independents to fill the gap. Jo Gilbert reports

Independents prepare to fill the gap left by Majestic

The Majestic brand has taken a bullet and is soon to be haemorrhaging stores – prompting businesses to reconsider their position on the high street.

Doña Paula gains sustainability certification

Santa Rita producer Doña Paula has been certified as a sustainable winery.

E&J Gallo adds Provence rosé Fleur de Mer to UK portfolio

E&J Gallo has added Provence rosé Fleur de Mer to its UK fine wine menu as part of its strategy to expand its 'super premium' portfolio.