Meet the Dragons at Think France

A Dragons’ Den-style session will decide on the best opportunities for French Wines at Harpers forthcoming at Think France event on 26 March at Glazier’s Hall in London.

The Week that was

Casual Dining show records 5% uplift in attendance

The Casual Dining show has announced that attendance were up 5% at this year’s event, marking another year of record growth.

IMW appoints new executive director

Rufus Olins has taken the top job at The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW).

Latest round of Vindependents share options support growth

Members of the independent merchant-owned Vindependents have voted to issue a new round of share options in the company, allowing new members that take up the offer to have a say in how the buying group is run.

Veeno bought back from the brink with buyout

Veeno has been saved by investors who have rescued the Italian wine café’s 15-strong estate.

Climate Change Leadership highlights action and importance of ‘sharing’

The 2019 Climate Change Leadership Conference - Solutions for the Wine Industry, kicked off yesterday with key industry figures and experts taking to the stage to highlight and share actions taken to mitigate global warming.

Soave puts spring in step with summer campaign

Soave is ramping up its UK focus, targeting independents and restaurants this summer with a #SummerofSoave campaign.

Armit backs Italy with several new agency partnerships

Armit Wines is flexing its muscles in its Italian portfolio, having added several new producers through agencies or partner agencies.

Sales of English and Welsh wine double in 2018

The English and Welsh wine industry produced a record-breaking amount of wine last year thanks to a frost-free spring and a long, mostly dry summer.

Matthew Clark comes out fighting fit after major restructure

National wholesaler Matthew Clark says it is firmly back on track, with a far-reaching restructure of the business completed and having “delivered one of the best Christmas in terms of service and performance”, according to managing director David Phillips (pictured above).

UK and non-EU workers plugging London’s hospitality recruitment gap

Workers from the UK and outside the UK are picking up the slack from the declining number of EU nationals applying to work in hospitality jobs in the UK.

Amathus strengthens Priorat and Montsant

Amathus Drinks has expanded its Spanish portfolio with the addition of two new Catalonian producers: Celler l’Encastell from Priorat and Celler Masroig from Montsant.

Spain celebrates new Caballeros del Vino

The Wine Society’s Pierre Mansour and Paul Shinnie of Alliance Wines were the latest UK trade to be honour at a lively Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino annual dinner in Mayfair last night, where they were officially invested into the red-robed order by Spanish ambassador His Excellency Carlos Bastarreche.

Australia ramps up Prowein presence

Wine Australia is fielding a bumper crop of producers and wines at this year’s Prowein in its strongest presence to date in what CEO Andreas Clark describes as “one of the biggest and most important events in Wine Australia's global calendar”.

Aperol continues to lead the way for Campari Group

The demand for Italian aperitifs is still going strong, after sales of Aperol jumped 56% in the UK last year.

Smartphones dominate as online retail sales hits new high

In the fast evolving online retail market, sales via smartphone have overtaken both desktop and tablet, and at a time when online grocery retail has reached a new high of £8 billion in the UK.

Portman group tackles ‘offensive marketing’ in sixth code of practice

UK alcohol regulator the Portman Group has updated its packaging and promotional guidance for society’s evolving standards, including a new rule around ‘offence’.

Helen McGinn to chair Wine Stars Awards

Author, columnist and blogger Helen McGinn is to take on the role of competition chair at Harpers Wine Stars Awards.

Carluccio’s boss calls out casual dining operators for aggressive expansion plans

Carluccio’s CEO has criticised the UK restaurant sector for focusing on “capex-heavy investments” – the same focus which almost brought the chain to brink of collapse last year.