2021 Drinks Wholesaler Spotlight

We surveyed the trade asking how drinks suppliers have evolved their businesses in response to the pandemic. Andrew Catchpole rounds up the responses. 

Sarah Evans retires as chairman of The Wine Society

The Wine Society has announced that its chairman of 12 years, Sarah Evans, is retiring. 

Trade welcomes Oz-UK announcement of FTA

The reality of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and the UK has moved a step closer with the prime ministers of both countries confirming on Monday that a deal will be done, though with much detail still to be thrashed out.

US and EU lawmakers endorse elimination of wine tariffs and ‘zero for zero’

The Brussels-based CEEV (Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins) and Wine Institute of California have applauded a strong show of support for Translantic wine trade.

Register now: Franciacorta – Adding a Splash of Italian Style

Harpers latest free-to-attend webinar, Franciacorta: Adding a Splash of Italian Style, has brought together a great panel to examine what this multi-faceted fizz can add to the modern sparkling wine portfolio.

Former I Heart bods launch own wine business

Two former senior members of Freixenet Copestick’s I Heart team have joined forces to launch their own mainstream wine brand.

Flint takes on on-trade distribution of M.Chapoutier

Hatch Mansfield has appointed Flint Wines as one of its key on-trade partners of five wine ranges from Rhône producer M.Chapoutier.

BWS online sales hold up ‘remarkably well’

Online beer, wine and spirits (BWS) sales rose 7.5% in May, bucking the downward trend recorded across the majority of FMCG categories.  

New Zealand vintage 'exceptional' but down 19%

The quality of the 2021 vintage has been described as "exceptional" throughout New Zealand’s wine regions, although the harvest was smaller than hoped for, according to New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW).

2020 Bordeaux ‘highest scoring vintage ever’ at top end

Based on a basket of 115 top wines, the 2020 Bordeaux vintage has been awarded the highest scores ever by Wine Lister’s partner critics.

Retail gin sales hit all time high

Sales of gin in the retail sector have continued to soar during the pandemic, up 30% over the past 12 months.

Harpers Wine Stars Awards 2021: Italy

Highlighting the people and places wowing the judges in the Harpers Wine Stars Awards.

Franciacorta webinar: Adding a Splash of Italian Style

With sparkling wine in growth in the UK and consumers becoming ever more adventurous in their drinking habits, Harpers is teaming up with Consorzio Franciacorta for a webinar exploring the possibilities offered both by Italy’s foremost sparkling wine and the broader sparkling category.

Long Read: Accolade shakes up its global fine wine strategy

Domaine Lafage unveils sparkling rosé fermented with beer yeast

Roussillon producer Domaine Lafage has launched a sparkling rosé in the UK, marking the first such wine to emerge from the French region, according to the producer.

The pros and cons of LWF

As a first, it was hard to predict how well last month’s London Wine Fair (LWF) Digital Edition would work for both visitors and exhibitors. Lisa Riley reports.

Cava in the round

DO Cava has announced a series of educational webinars aimed at UK and US trade and communicators as part of its 2021 marketing campaign.

Prosecco partners with Eataly

Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has partnered with Italian gourmet superstore Eataly.

Events: A hybrid future

With a degree of normality beginning to return, Andrew Catchpole gets a taste of the tastings to come.

Fine Wines Direct UK adds Thorn-Clarke

Fine Wines Direct UK has signed an exclusive distribution deal with Barossa producer Thorn-Clarke Wines in the UK.