Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL) has welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) decision to grant merger clearance for the combination of Accolade Wines with Pernod Ricard's Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine businesses.
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Plans to overhaul the UK's alcohol duty system, discussed on BBC Radio 4 this week, have raised concerns among wine producers, merchants and retailers, who warn that the new regulations could increase costs, disrupt trade and limit the range of wines available to consumers.
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This mountainous former Soviet republic in the south Caucasus has long traditions of Christianity and hospitality, and an ancient wine culture that dates back Millenia. It also has outstanding territorial issues and has recently endured conflict and has a large neighbour with whom it has a history of bad relations. The country is modernising but also grappling with corruption, bureaucracy and cronyism. Its shrinking population is mitigated to some degree by returning former emigres, who are active in a revitalising a wine industry where traditions and indigenous grape varieties are being rediscovered, with winemakers aiming for wines that appeal to a modern palate rather than a typical Russian one.
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WineGB has released its first Sustainability Impact Report, coinciding with the International Day of Climate Action. The report highlights the rapid growth of the Sustainable Wines of Great Britain (SWGB) scheme, which now covers 43% of the UK's vineyard hectarage. Launched four years ago, SWGB encourages sustainable practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions in vineyards and wineries.
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Small and mid-sized suppliers in the alcoholic drinks sector could tap into an extra £27,575 in repeat sales by enhancing customer loyalty, according to a recent report. The research, a joint effort by Oxford Brookes Business School and ProspectSoft, part of The Access Group, points to significant revenue potential for manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. The study indicates that many SMEs are losing out on repeat business from customers who stop buying after their third purchase.
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The 2024 harvest season for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco has concluded, closing out a year marked by unpredictable weather that led to a slight decline in yields compared to 2023. The harvest, which began in mid-September and finished in early October, was about a week later than the usual schedule. In contrast, 2023 followed a more typical harvest timeline, with activities generally completed by late September.
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With only a few months remaining before the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme begins, UK businesses are calling on the government to delay its rollout, citing confusion, unpreparedness and unclear costs. In a joint letter to Defra, over 80 companies have urged postponing the scheme until there is more clarity on its operation and expenses.
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London-based wine bar and retailer Humble Grape is bolstering its retail and B2B operations with the appointment of David Green as director of sales.
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As the UK Budget looms, with anticipated rises in alcohol duties, Calais Vins and Olivier Vins have introduced a new offer designed to attract British travellers looking to save on their wine purchases before potential price hikes hit. The timing of this initiative positions the two retailers to capture heightened demand as consumers brace for the Budget's impact on alcohol costs.
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Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded modest year-on-year sales growth in September, continuing a trend of like-for-like growth that has been in situ since the beginning of the year.
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The fine wine market continued to face challenges in Q3 2024, as prices dipped for another consecutive quarter. According to Wine Cap's Q3 2024 Fine Wine Report, the market has been in decline since late 2022, with an average drop of 4% in the latest quarter.
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Virgin Wines UK has announced its annual results for the year ending 28 June 2024, showcasing a marked improvement in profitability despite a flat revenue and challenging market conditions.
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Berry Bros. & Rudd is making its entry into the auction market, leveraging the private wine collection of long-time client Ian Mill KC. This inaugural auction will be held online, featuring selections from a Burgundy collection recognised as one of the finest worldwide.
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Australian wine exports surged in the 12 months to September 2024, with value rising 34% to AU$2.39bn and volume up 7% to 643 million litres, according to Wine Australia’s latest report. These figures represent the highest levels since August 2021, mainly driven by a strong return to the Chinese market after it removed import duties on Australian bottled wine in late March 2024.
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In the wake of an overall cool vintage, expectations remain high in the Douro Valley, with initial reports suggesting that year's crop will showcase “vibrant fruit, fine tannins, and remarkable acidity”.
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New government data indicates a slight reprieve for the hospitality sector, as accommodation and food service insolvencies fell 16% month-on-month in August 2024.
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Hospitality leaders have sent an open letter to the Chancellor, imploring Rachel Reeves to “fix business rates and prevent bills quadrupling for high streets across the country”.
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South Africa’s wine industry is basking in a moment of pride having had one of its number announced as president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
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Last month saw yet another glass-clinkingly successful Whisky Show in London, and as a result I felt compelled to provide my tuppence worth on where the category is at. In a different approach from my usual grumpy diatribes, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy. Maybe it’s the many great things that are happening in whisky right now - or maybe it’s the amber liquid that’s sloshing around in my tumbler. Either way, I have a lot of good things to say.
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Lebanese winery Ixsir has managed to complete another successful harvest despite devastating socio-economic challenges in the region, including daily bombings in areas such as the Bekaa valley and a deepening crisis in the conflict with Israel.
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