The UK’s leading drinks trade associations have written to the government highlighting deep concerns over the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (EPR) scheme, while calling for a meeting with Defra.
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At this year’s SITT London, there was a great sense of importers continuing to push the envelope, showing that despite the headwinds thrown at it, the trade can adapt, and confidently. The same impression was derived from Boutinot’s independents portfolio tasting, where collaboration showed itself to be as important as ever.
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Communicators and other voices from the wine industry have come together to tackle harassment as this year’s theme for International Women’s Day 2025 (IWD2025) on 8 March.
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Data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) can reveal that 63% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) saw taxation as their primary business challenge. The data, which was gathered following the Autumn Budget, represents an increase compared to Q3 of 2024 when 48% of business owners saw it as their primary challenge.
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Chivas Brothers has announced that over 120 of their contracted farmers have achieved the UK’s first FSA Gold verification for distilling wheat, as part of their ongoing sustainability efforts and long-standing partnership with Simpsons Malt.
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Figures from CGA by NIQ and RSM’s Hospitality Business Tracker reveal that year-on-year sales dropped by 1.3% in January 2025 compared to the same month last year. This represents only the tracker’s second recorded month of negative trading since early 2022.
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Fine wine merchant, Jeroboams, has added two producers to its portfolio with Domaine de la Chapelle from Chinon, Loire Valley and Mouchão vineyard from the Alentejo, Portugal.
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Plumpton College, home of the UK’s National Wine Training Programme, has announced the launch of the National Competency Framework (NCF). The new initiative is designed to define essential skills and competencies for employment across key sectors of the UK wine trade.
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Félix Solís saw growth among a number of its brands within the UK market in 2024. This included an impressive +85.3% volume increase for its Mucho Más wine brand, according to figures from Nielsen MAT.
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International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), in collaboration with a number of leading Chilean and Argentinian wineries, has announced the launch of the first greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator for the Latin America wine industry.
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The premium wine specialist, Bibendum Wine, has announced a series of new appointments in its sales and commercial teams. Leading the changes on the sales side is the appointment of Andrew Ingham as sales director, while Ntola Obazee (pictured) takes on the role of e-commerce director within Bibendum’s commercial team.
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Spanish wine producers increased their overall value of exports by €41 million in 2024, though the total volume of exported wines fell by 1,010,000hls. The UK remains the largest export market for Spanish wine.
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Recent reports indicate the UK government could introduce an Australia-style youth mobility scheme for EU citizens as part of efforts to reset post-Brexit relations. The decision could have significant implications for the hospitality sector which has faced recruitment challenges since Brexit.
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With our busy Manchester SITT in full swing, there’s still some time to register for our London SITT event taking place this Thursday at the Royal Horticultural Halls, Vincent Square.
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The 2025 Premiere Napa Valley auction raised $3.3m via the sale of lots for the region's 2023 vintage. The auction's performance represented a 10% increase compared to last year's event. The proceeds from the auction directly support Napa Valley Vintners’ programmes which aim to promote and protect the region’s wines.
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The International Wine Challenge (IWC) is ushering in a new era by adding several new hires to its leadership team, including former Harpers publisher Lee Sharkey (pictured, centre).
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Rioja UK has announced the dates for new Rioja 100 festival as part of their campaign to celebrate the centenary of the region's Denomination of Origin status. The festival will take place on the 19 and 20 July at Hackney Bridge, London.
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Wine on tap, pet nat, low intervention Torrontes, Picpoul Noir, £100+ Cooperative Champagne, naturally lower alcohol and artily labelled wines, plus a Russian-born oenologist out of Attica in Greece were among the many highlights and innovations on show at a recent tasting in Brighton.
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Greater Manchester-based Kingsland Drinks Group has announced the appointment of Sarah Baldwin as its new MD as of April.
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Figures compiled by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) show the UK had 100 fewer breweries when comparing January 2025 to January 2024. Each quarter of 2024 showed a negative closure rate. Yet these closures occured despite strong demand for independent beer being reported from the breweries themselves.
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