Harpers Wine Stars 2022 now open for entries

Harpers Wine Stars 2022 is welcoming entries for this year’s competition.

‘First-day back’ sales see 25% uplift for bars and restaurants on 17 May

After five weeks of outdoor-only trading, CGA research has revealed a strong start to the week for managed groups as consumers make the most of being able to drink and eat indoors for the first time since December.

Long Read: A new script for wine writing

The Zoom option meant this year’s Symposium for Professional Wine Writers organised by Meadowood in Napa, California, attracted its largest number of attendees: 303. Typically about 24 have attended in person since the symposium launched in 2004.

First digital LWF "exceeds expectations" though numbers fall

Atkin awards first South American perfect score to wine from “best ever” Argentina vintage

Harpers columnist and UK wine writer Tim Atkin MW has given his seal of approval to the 2019 Argentinian vintage, which he says is “the best I’ve tasted” from the country.

LWF: Digital efficiencies helping with the big three – content flow, stock flow, cash flow

A mental shift around harnessing digital capabilities and automation this year has moved businesses towards stock management systems that free up time and capital to focus on sharing information and storytelling with customers.

Wine on the rise with younger consumers as on-trade returns

Younger consumers plan to spend more than before as they return to pubs and restaurants, and spend a larger slice of that money on wine.

LWF: Lead time issues ‘probably temporary’

Disrupted lead times for UK wine imports and exports in the near five months since the UK left the EU have been described as being ‘probably temporary’.

Majestic broadens cider staples with Normandy listing

Majestic its broadening its cider portfolio with a pair of gluten free, vegan, no added sugar products from Normandy cider and Calvados producer, Sassy.

LWF: Time to bottle it on glass?

As carbon emissions and the broader topic of sustainability climb back up the agenda, one of the more forward-looking sessions at London Wine Fair (LWF) 2021 cut to the heart of the issue.

LWF: Wine yet to see accelerated demand for no/low

Wine has yet to see an accelerated demand for the no/low alcohol space unlike spirts and beer, which have both gathered pace in recent years.

Basset foundation unveils new BAME/BIPOC scholarships

Liquid Icons, the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late Gerard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester, has unveiled a series of new scholarships for BAME/BIPOC students.

LWF: Red tape, labelling and tax hikes key clouds on SME horizon

Additional red tape, tax hikes and potential labelling requirements were pinpointed as key clouds looming on the wine industry horizon at this mornings London Wine Fair (LWF) briefing, Wine Trading 2021: “Are we there yet?”.

James Davis MW joins Henkell Freixenet

James Davis MW will be joining the Henkell Freixenet team in a newly created role from the first week of July.

Johnson delays definitive end of 1m rule

Boris Johnson has scrapped plans to announce a final deadline for the end of social distancing this month as the number of cases of the Indian Covid-19 variant leaps by 1,000 in just four days.

Last chance to enter Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship

UK-based Sommeliers have until 28 May to send in their application for the Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship – the annual travel bursary created in honour of the late Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MSc (OIV). 

Wine Guild launches free hospitality courses

The Wine Guild Education (WGEd), the skills development arm of the Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, has launched a new suite of free hospitality service training courses. 

LWF: 'Fear of getting it wrong' is holding industry back on diversity

Trepidation around tokenism and not taking the right tack on issues of diversity and inclusion is stopping greater strides being taken in workplaces, it was said at this morning’s London Wine Fair (LWF) session on equal opportunities in the wine trade.

IWC announces 2021 winners

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has announced the winners of its 2021 competition, with a haul of 6,800 medals being claimed across over 40 countries.

LWF: Beale describes path forward post UK 2020 ‘trade nadir’

The UK market remains an “attractive and diverse market place, but it is a very different one to the market it was 12 months ago”, according to Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).