Rousset heads to Champagne for first in wine tour series

Master sommelier and restaurateur Xavier Rousset is preparing to host a guided tour of Champagne that will include tastings, blending sessions and access to the region’s most prestigious producers.

Price-savvy Enotria to introduce new wines at tasting

The impact of soaring prices after 2017’s dismal global wine harvest can be offset by switching to lesser known offerings from further afield, one leading drinks distributor has suggested.

Hallgarten tasting unveils alternative classics and emerging regions with wide ranging portfolio boost

Hallgarten Wines signalled what it described as “a commitment to keeping price rises at a minimum” at its annual London tasting on 29 January, showing over 150 wines new to its portfolio, with many alternative appellations and new regions on show.

Bancroft Wines appoints Jon Worsley as CEO

London-based distributor Bancroft Wines has appointed former Liberty Wines commercial director Jon Worsley as its new CEO.

Swig Wines signs exclusive import deal for Austrian red brand

A London-based importer is looking to widen the UK’s understanding of Austrian wine after signing an exclusive deal with a producer of the little known Blaufränkisch red variety.

The Vino Beano pledges £10k for Global Fund for Children

Online wine merchant The Vino Beano has partnered with charity Global Fund for Children UK Trust (GFC), pledging to raise £10k for the cause in this year alone.

Burgundy winemakers elect duo of presidents

Two stalwarts of the French wine industry have been elected as co-presidents of the BVIB, the Burgundy Wine Board.

Louis Roederer shows its modern face at MMD tasting

Things sometimes move at a glacial pace in the world of fine wine, but even Grande Marque producer Louis Roederer showed it is up for moving with the times at its most recent tasting, showcasing zero dosage and experimentation with organic and biodynamic wines.

Conviviality sales surge 9.2% as market share grows

Sales at independent drinks distributor Conviviality surged by 9.2% to £836.3m in the 26 weeks to October 29 2017, the group announced today.

Portman Group rebuts claim it advised removal of CMO guidance as RSPH pushes hard hitting labelling

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has released proposals for a hard-hitting new alcohol labelling scheme in the face of what it describes as an “alcohol health awareness vacuum”.

ADT: Aussie alternatives

An assortment of varietals continued to challenge the Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Riesling ‘quo at Tuesday’s Australia Day Tasting in London, showcasing an ongoing innovative streak when it comes to plantings and blends.

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

The Champagne Bureau UK teams up with the LWF

The Champagne Bureau UK has partnered with the London Wine Fair (LWF) to bring the world of Champagne to the capital.

Hamilton Russell to launch Ashbourne Pinotage/Cinsault in the UK

Iconic South African producer Hamilton Russell Vineyards has unveiled plans to launch a new Ashbourne Pinotage/Cinsault blend into the UK market next year.

Historic Laytons name dropped from Jeroboams merchant arm

Gin boom boosts Diageo’s UK performance

Diageo has reported a 7% increase in net sales in its first half year boosted by a strong performance from its gin portfolio.

Asia’s thirst for Australia drives AU$2.56bn export high, but UK and USA dip

The most recent export figures from Wine Australia, released at the busy Australia Day Tasting (ADT) in London on 23 January, revealed that Australian wine exports to mainland China continue to boom in the wake of the 2015 free trade agreement between the two countries.

Fever-Tree edges out competition to become top retail mixer

Fever Tree has continued its indomitable hold on the UK spirits sector by becoming the top mixer by value in UK retail.

Domaine Jessiaume sets sight on UK as it nears organic certification

Burgundy producer Domaine Jessiaume has revealed it is gearing up to enter the UK market for the first time.

ADT suppliers up their Oz bids as competition ramps up from China and the US

A hardy – dare we suggest, typically Australian – attitude to price hikes and supply challenges was the main exhibit at yesterday’s Australia Day Tasting, where plenty of creative and business flair set out the category’s stall for 2018.