Diageo profit warning knocks European drinks markets

Diageo has issued an unexpected trading statement to warn that this year’s revenue and profit will be significantly lower than the group previously expected – a blow which has had a serious knock-on effect for the European drinks sector.

Fears grow for second alcohol duty rise in less than a year

Wine and spirit businesses are calling on the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty until the end of parliament, when Jeremy Hunt delivers his Autumn Statement on 22 November.

Freixenet Copestick and Wakefield Wines announce distribution agreement

South Australian family-owned winery Wakefield Wines and Freixenet Copestick have today (10 November) announced a strategic distribution partnership covering the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Hospitality scores big in Rugby World Cup

Bolstered by unfancied England’s route to the semi-finals, the Rugby World Cup generated double-digit growth in drinks sales for the on-trade.

Friday read: Are specialist wine merchants in danger of becoming obsolete?

The WineBarn’s multiple award-winning founder Iris Ellmann – an early champion of dry German whites and Spätburgunder in the UK – makes the case for somms to stick with specialist importers.

Majestic announces over 50s recruitment drive

Majestic has launched a new partnership with Rest Less, an online community of over 50s, as part of a drive to attract a greater number of older colleagues into the business.

Exclusive: Closing doors for Oddbins

Following reported mass store closures across much of its portfolio this week, Oddbins appears to have folded the bricks and mortar part of its business.

Buckingham Schenk adds Vinca canned wines to portfolio

UK-based wine importer Buckingham Schenk has announced the addition of Vinca, a range of canned organic wines to its growing portfolio.

Industry welcomes RMT breakthrough

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), has agreed a deal in principle with train operators to resolve the ongoing rail dispute, quelling fears of a repeat of last year’s Christmas strikes which were so damaging to the hospitality industry.

Global wine production lowest in 62 years

Extreme weather around the world is believed to have sent global production plunging to its lowest level since 1961, while France becomes the world's biggest wine producer, new figures suggest.

Hambledon takeover bid confirmed

The proposed acquisition of English sparkling wine brand Hambledon has been accepted by the company's shareholders, it was announced today (08/11/2023).

Hedonism Wines unveils new auction platform

Mayfair's leading fine wine merchant has launched an online auction platform, due to go live on 13 November.

Hospitality closures fall in third quarter

The Hospitality Market Monitor from CGA by NIQ and AlixPartners has recorded a fall in licensed premises of 0.3% – the equivalent of three net closures a day, in the third quarter.

Louise Gordon joins Hand Picked Hotels

Hand Picked Hotels, the proprietor of 21 luxury country houses and coastal retreats across the UK, has announced sommelier Louise Gordon as its first-ever head of wine.

SLTA ‘bitterly disappointed’ over Glasgow LEZ legal challenge

The (SLTA) Scottish Licensed Trade Association has said it is “bitterly disappointed” that a long-established Glasgow family business has lost its court battle against the city’s low emission zone (LEZ).

Pernod launches fast food-focused wine range

400 businesses demand alcohol duty freeze

Representatives of more than 400 businesses have written to the chancellor demanding an alcohol duty freeze in the Autumn Statement.

The Pig launches first-ever English sparkling wines

The boutique hotel group, The Pig, will launch its first-ever bottles of English sparkling wine, with grapes from Bee Tree Vineyard in East Sussex, owned by Dermot and Ana Sugrue, of Sugrue South Downs.

Wigan succeeds Rose at Hill-Smith Family Estates

Hill-Smith Family Estates has announced that Sam Wigan will take over the role of head winemaker from Louisa Rose ahead of the 2024 vintage.

Goedhuis and Waddesdon announce merger

Goedhuis & Co and Waddesdon Wine have announced an agreement to merge, with the deal effective from today (3 November). Both companies will initially continue to trade under their existing names, while the two businesses are fully integrated to ensure no disruption to clients or suppliers.