Port company Sogevinus to launch comms push in UK

Port company The Sogevinus Group is set to ramp up its focus on the UK trade after appointing Sopexa UK to head up a new two-year comms strategy.

Final call for bartenders to enter Diageo Reserve World Class 2015 competition in the UK

Diageo is searching nationwide for the best British bartender to represent the UK in Diageo's Reserve World Class 2015 bartending competition in South Africa later this year.

Chief of the Week: The Chancellor, George Osborne

It's been another hectic week for the world of wine and spirits. Most of the UK wine trade seemed to have debunked to Dusseldorf for the annual tour of bratwurst stalls at ProWein - without doubt the largest wine fair in the world.

Australian wine sees export value and volume growth for first time in seven years

Australian wine exports are showing positive growth in value and volume for the first time in seven years, according to new figures from the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.

Tesco signs property swap with joint-venture partner on 21 stores

Tesco has signed a deal to regain full ownership of 21 superstores that it owned-jointly with a property investment company.

ProWein 2015: Global currency fluctuations a key topic at this year's fair

The current fluctuations in currency exchange rates was the 'conversation of ProWein', particularly with the weakening euro and the strengthening US dollar having ripple effects on the global wine trade.

Diageo to provide calorie labelling on all beers, wines and spirits

Diageo is to provide on-pack calorie advice on typical servings across its spirits, beers and wine, it announced today. 

Richard Branson's South African hotel launches new wine joint-venture with English winemaking firm

Richard Branson's luxury hotel collection, Virgin Limited Edition, has joined forces with an English wine consultancy firm, Litmus Wines, to launch a new wine business.

ProWein 2015: Global currency fluctuations a key topic at this year's fair

The current fluctuations in currency exchange rates was the 'conversation of ProWein', particularly with the weakening euro and the strengthening US dollar having ripple effects on the global wine trade.

ProWein 2015: Casella Family Brands capitalise on distribution to drive double digit growth

Budget Latest: WSTA's Miles Beale says Chancellor has given drinks industry "perfect result"

Miles Beale, chief executive, of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association has described the Chancellor's decision to freeze wine duty and cut spirits by 2% as "just about the perfect result" it could have hoped from its Drop the Duty campaign.

ProWein 2015: Huge potential to build super brands around the world says Concha y Toro

Building strong brands in the key £8 to £10 price sector has become increasingly the key battleground for the truly global wine producers operating in the main markets around the world, according to Thomas Domeyko, Concha y Toro's export director for Europe, USA and Africa.

Budget 2015: Chancellor cuts duty on cider and spirits by 2% and wine duty frozen

The Chancellor George Osborne has today cut the duty on cider and spirits by 2%, frozen duty on wine and cut beer by a penny a pint for the third year running in his last pre-election Budget.

'Unprecedented' demand from producers to promote South Africa at Cape Wine 2015

Cape Wine, the trade show for South African Wine, has seen unprecedented demand from producers six months before the show opens its doors.

ProWein 2015: Australia needs to promote its stories and personalities says Laura Jewell

Australia needs to continue to concentrate on promoting the stories behind its wines and the personalities of the winemakers who make them if it is to make the most of its diverse range of wines, according to Laura Jewell MW who has just taken on her role as head of Wine Australia in the UK and Europe.

Budget 2015: Drinks industry waits with bated breath

As the Chancellor prepares to deliver his last pre-election Budget to the House of Commons today, the drinks industry waits nervously to find out if this year's campaign has persuaded him to Drop the Duty!

Budget 2015: Industry hails duty cuts announced in today's Budget

The drinks industry has welcomed the Chancellor's decision to cut the duty on spirits and cider.

ProWein 2015: Record breaking 52,000 visitors attended this week's show

More than 52,000 visitors attended ProWein 2015 this year, an increase of 7% over last year,  further solidifying the show as a must attend event on the international wine trade calendar.

Prowein 2015: Bibendum PLB uses fair to showcase new multi-channel strategy

The recently combined Bibendum PLB company was able to showcase its new business strategy to the international wine industry at this week's Prowein with 120 of its producers taking part in the show.

Prowein 2015: Roger Jones says Auf Wiedersehen with his highlights from Dusseldorf

Roger Jones takes us around the wine world on his Prowien 2015 journey of discovery, where he explores some new and interesting wines.