Surrey Hills vineyards join forces to form ‘English wine region’

Five vineyards based in the Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty have joined forces to form a new English wine region - ‘Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’.

‘Exceptional’ vintage prompts UK distributors to turn to Muscadet

An ‘exceptional’ 2018 vintage coupled with a consistent rise of quality of wine production from a new generation of vintners in the Pays Nantais has prompted UK distributors to turn to Muscadet.

Climate change leaving Beaujolais in fear of being priced out of the market by cereal and milk

The temperature is rising in Beaujolais, leaving producers to worry their products will be edged out of consumers’ repertoires by rival crops.

UK ‘culture of wine’ central to Franciacorta’s export drive

Franciacorta is positioning itself as ideal for “a new drinking demographic”, with the UK at the forefront of a renewed export drive.

Consorzio Vini delle Venezie DOC embarks on ‘second era of Italian style Pinot Grigio’

Consorzio Vini delle Venezie DOC has embarked on the ‘second era of Italian style Pinot Grigio’.

Restaurants continue to struggle as consumers tighten purse strings ahead of Brexit

The restaurant trade suffered another tough month in February with the mini heatwave towards the end of the month failing to move the whole market much, despite an encouraging performance from the pub trade.

Robert Oatley brings Katie MacAulay to the UK to 'develop market’

Robert Oatley Vineyards has brought its business development manager Katie MacAulay to the UK as part of a strategy to strengthen its position in the UK market.

Porto Protocol hits 130 members in less than a year

The Porto Protocol has attracted 130 businesses to sign up to the initiative launched last July with the endorsement of Barack Obama.

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.