Majestic-owner Fortress set to sell retailer

Owner of multiple retailer Majestic, Fortress Investment Group, is set to offload the retailer after seven years of ownership, having entered the early stages of selling the well-known company.

Côte launches French-only online wine shop

Côte Brassiere has launched Côte Uncorked, a French-only online wine shop to compliment the restaurant group's Gallic focus.

Proposed holiday tax could threaten 33,000 jobs, industry warns

New proposals to introduce a tourist levy in England could deliver a £1.6bn tax hit to consumers while shrinking the wider economy and reducing employment, according to UK Hospitality.

Encirc workers announce strikes over proposed redundancies

Over 100 workers at glass bottle manufacturer Encirc’s Elton site have announced strikes (from 28-30 March and from 3-7 April) over redundancy proposals.

Pub and bar closures hit five-year high as macroeconomic pressures bite

New packaging innovation aims to cut EPR fees and boost sustainability

Croxsons, a B-Corp certified firm that supplies glass packaging for the food and drink sector, has launched a lightweight glass packaging solution, Rightweight®.

Wirra Wirra acquires legendary Grenache vineyard in McLaren Vale

NVV heralds new Netflix show set in Napa Valley

Napa Valley Vinters (NVV) has lauded a new Netflix series centred around the Napa Valley as “a rare opportunity to reach millions of viewers worldwide at a time when the wine industry is evolving and the market is changing”.

Curious Vines launches Rioja Education Award with C.V.N.E and Hatch Mansfield

Curious Vines has partnered with northern Spanish producer CVNE and its agent Hatch Mansfield to launch a 2026 Rioja Education Award, aimed at women and non-binary professionals.

The rise of white Rioja

Exclamations of ¡Un vinazo! resounded into the evening at last week’s third annual edition of the ‘The Best of Rioja’ tasting held in London (9 March), with on-trend Rioja blanco stealing much of the limelight.

Jack Daniel’s: Brand introduces enhanced on-trade support

Tennessee Whiskey brand Jack Daniel’s has announced a number of initiatives including an event for UK bartenders and a trip to the producer’s Lynchburg, Tennessee home.

Salcombe Gin distiller aims to triple in size over next five years

Salcombe Distilling Co. – the producers of Salcombe Gin, Salcombe Rum and New London Light – has said it wants to triple in size over the next five years.

Wine GB announces new head of communications and marketing role

Kirsty Rushby has been appointed in the newly created role of head of communications and marketing for trade body Wine GB.

Suntory produces first hydrogen-distilled whisky

Suntory Global Sprits has announced the successful production of the first-ever direct-fired hydrogen fuel-distilled spirit for whisky production at its Yamazaki Pilot Distillery in Japan.

Concha y Toro revenue increase driven by premium sales

Chilean wine heavyweight Viña Concha y Toro has seen its overall revenue increase by 1.7% for its 2025 financial year. When zooming in on the wine portion of its business this figure rises to 2.8%.

Schenk Family becomes UK off-trade partner for Viña Santa Rita

Well-known Chilean wine producer Viña Santa Rita has announced a partnership with distributor Schenk Family, which will now sell its wines into the UK off-trade.

Virgin Wines reports strong momentum into second half of the year

Leading online wine retailer Virgin Wines has announced that it is still on a positive track, with revenue for January and February up 12% year-on-year.

Alcohol-free beer bumps premium lager in inflation basket

In the latest update to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) – the basket of goods the government uses to measure inflation – off-trade sales of alcohol-free beer have been added to the list for the first time.

Brad Horne and Dan Kirby set to launch new podcast

Wine communicator Brad Horne and experienced wine industry figure Dan Kirby are set to launch a new podcast this week, ‘Second Press’.

Sugrue South Downs dreams on

Twenty years after winemaker Dermot Sugrue planted his first Storrington Priory vines for what was to become Sugrue South Downs, this Sussex-rooted producer continues to forge ahead with much in the pipeline for 2026.