Drinks Trust backs PR internship for pandemic-affected workers

The Drinks Community – the professional members platform from The Drinks Trust – has partnered with UK drinks public relations agency Domino Communications to offer an internship for those working in the hospitality and drinks industry, whose livelihoods have been negatively affected by the pandemic.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Jay Wright, Virgin Wines

Bouncing Back Q&A: Des Gunewardena, D&D London

‘Pingdemic’ brings more pain

Pandemic restrictions may have been lifted, but for hospitality businesses desperate to welcome punters back, a new challenge is thwarting their ambitions. Lisa Riley reports

Berkmann Wine Cellars welcomes new non-executive chair

Berkmann Wine Cellars, the on-trade wine supplier, has revealed that Alison Levett is joining the board as a non-executive chair.

Frazer Thompson steps down from Chapel Down

Chapel Down has announced its succession plan after it was revealed that current CEO Frazer Thompson will be stepping down from the role after 20 years.

Nicholls appointed hospitality disability ambassador

UK Hospitality (UKH) CEO Kate Nicholls has been appointed as the hospitality sector’s first disability ambassador to date as part of the government’s new National Disability Strategy.

Trivento takes the top spot for Argentine wine

Concha y Toro's Trivento is celebrating becoming the leading Argentine wine brand in the world, with sales of over US$256.2m a year according to a new report from the IWSR.

C&C and Mark Anthony Brands join The Portman Group

The Portman Group, which celebrates its 25 anniversary this year, has welcomed two new members — C&C Group and Mark Anthony Brands International — marking the first new members to join this year.

France's great digital shift

A new breed of French digital-solution companies is helping the country’s producers embrace online. Jo Gilbert reports

Majestic heads North for the first time in almost a decade

Majestic Wine has put an end to almost decade-long hiatus in investment in the north of England with a new store opening in the historic market town of Knutsford.

Mounting food prices hits hospitality, while softs recover

Wholesale food prices heading to the hospitality sector reached their highest ever level in May 2021, while soft drinks saw the complete opposite trend.

Self-isolation rules discriminate against young workers

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that delays to the end of self-isolation rules will put additional pressures on a hospitality industry which is being crippled by staff shortages, as the government confirmed that rules around isolating at home for those who aren’t double-jabbed will continue until next month.

WSTA calls for return of ‘zero for zero' Bourbon tariffs while warning about wine duties

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has submitted a response to the government’s consultation on damaging US tariffs, calling for the swift removal of tariffs on US whiskies.

Industry welcomes plans to lift restrictions but warns long road ahead

The hospitality industry has welcomed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on the lifting of restrictions on 19 July as a “major milestone”, but warned of a "long road ahead".

Accolade acquires Lambrini

Accolade Wines has acquired Lambrini, the nation’s leading brand of Perry, Harpers can exclusively reveal.

Sangiovese – Tuscan star

Michèle Shah charts the fortunes of grape variety reaching new heights, despite the challenge of climate change.

Government extends rent moratorium to March 2022

The government has announced new legislation which will extend the rent moratorium past the former 30 June 2021 deadline, while also introducing a new arbitration system to solve disputes between landlords and commercial tenants affected by the pandemic.

Technology: Power of the network

The phrase ‘content is king’ gained new meaning at this year’s LWF where two sessions focused on how runaway digital adoption rates among consumers are leading to seismic shifts around how the industry markets and sells wine. Jo Gilbert reports.

Hospitality under pressure

In a piece written before the government warned of a one-month delay to Covid restrictions lifting, Jacopo Mazzeo takes the temperature of the UK on-trade as staff shortages and restrictions continue to eat into venues’ ability to turn a profit.