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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A partnership has emerged between the Old Vine Conference (OVC) and various organisations in California, which will culminate in a northern California meeting in late 2025 where Jancis Robinson MW will be the keynote speaker.
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The results are in for the Wines Direct 2024 consumer survey, revealing the wine buying preferences of over 1,750 consumers.
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The WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) has appointed Regine Lee MW to its Board of Trustees as the representative for the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW).
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With just two weeks remaining until the autumn Budget, WineGB has called on the UK government to prioritise the English and Welsh wine industry by reducing excise duty and offering targeted support to boost growth.
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Pernod Ricard, the world’s second-largest spirits group, reported revenue slump of 8.5% to €2.783 billion and a 5.9% organic decline for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, as a challenging macroeconomic environment in China and ongoing inventory adjustments in the US contributed to an underwhelming performance.
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Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre-Loire (BIVC) has made two major new changes to its leadership team with François Bouteille officially taking over from Edouard Mognetti as director and Bertrand Minchin taking on the role of co-president.
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The Harpers team invites you to sign up for a latest free webinar, Social Responsibility at the Cellar Door, to take place a week today.
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Maison Perrier-Jouët has announced the inauguration of its new Chardonnay dedicated cellar, aimed at enhancing this key grape variety in its wines.
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Sustainability leader Domaine Bousquet has released a half-year update to its inaugural sustainability impact report, detailing a significant increase in the production of lightweight bottles and recycled waste.
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Armand de Brignac Champagne has unveiled its first ever vintage release, a magnum of Blanc de Noirs from 2015 which will sit at the top of the pile as the house’s newest ultra-prestige cuvée.
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After a difficult 2024 season, which was characterised by floods, frost and strong winds, South African wine producers are optimistic about the 2025 harvest.
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The government’s proposed ‘biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation’ could stifle job creation in independent shops and place further financial pressures on already struggling retailers, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has warned.
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Armit Wines is investing in new staff as part of its five-year strategy to build on its recent turnaround.
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