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Published: 26 January, 2026
In today’s challenging economy, with all the difficulties UK hospitality is facing, it can feel like the drinks industry is being shaped more and more by our sector’s biggest players; the big boys of global industry with deep, deep pockets and reach. But let’s get it straight: the environment we’re currently in gives them a competitive edge. It helps them to win shelf space and bar listings – and that’s intimidating. I imagine if you’re a challenger brand or reasonably new to the market, you’re frustrated by the status quo.
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Published: 23 January, 2026
In the wake of Trump’s latest threat to impose 200% tariffs on French wine, Jens-Peter Barynin, chief economist at VIVI Economics, assesses the ongoing cost of such uncertainty.
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Published: 23 January, 2026
For its fifth consecutive year, the Reach for Ribera del Duero campaign will return this April, inviting 50 independent wine merchants across the UK to promote the region.
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Published: 23 January, 2026
Wine Paris, which returns from 9-11 February 2026 has reaffirmed its commitment to being a platform for international expertise, development and connection.
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Published: 21 January, 2026
The leading tasting event for independent drinks suppliers, SITT – which is due to return this Spring – has revealed the topics for two of its masterclasses.
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Published: 21 January, 2026
WSET has announced that independent, family-run Champagne house Laurent-Perrier has become its newest Gold Partner.
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Published: 21 January, 2026
A new study by MMR Research has found that nearly four in ten UK consumers (39%) say they are lowering their alcohol consumption because of affordability.
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Published: 20 January, 2026
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that the hospitality sector employed 8,784 fewer people in December 2025 compared to November 2025.
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Published: 20 January, 2026
Hospitality charity The Drinks Trust has revealed a special edition of its “Face It Together” campaign – encouraging the drinks industry to extend its support to the Trust – launched for the company’s 140th anniversary.
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Published: 20 January, 2026
Leading wine retailer Majestic Wine has announced that this Christmas trading period was the biggest in its 45-year history, reporting a 0.9% increase in total sales over the five weeks to 29th December 2025.
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Published: 19 January, 2026
Multinational wine brand Zonin1821 has unveiled plans to step up its focus on category innovation in 2026, with new launches designed to capture a slice of the increasingly lucrative low and no-alcohol market.
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Published: 19 January, 2026
Returning for its second year, Indie Beer Week 2026, a UK-wide series of events promoting "independent beer, pubs and people” is due to take place from 10-19 April.
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Published: 19 January, 2026
South African producer Journey's End will henceforth be known as Gabb Family Wines, retaining the original name for its flagship estate in Stellenbosch.
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Published: 19 January, 2026
As it approaches its 10th anniversary, the Cité du Vin has released figures looking back over 2025, a year in which it welcomed 390,000 visitors of 170 different nationalities.
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Published: 19 January, 2026
Nominations are now open for our annual celebration of up-and-coming stars in the wine & spirits trade. Whether you have a colleague who you feel is worthy of recognition for their skill, knowledge and creativity or if you wish to self-nominate for you contribution to uplifting the drinks trade, the time is now.
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Published: 16 January, 2026
Prowein Düsseldorf has unveiled a new ‘VIP Hosted Buyer Program’ with a special focus on the UK market for the 2026 edition of the conference.
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Published: 16 January, 2026
Leading independent wholesaler Alliance Wine has unveiled a new look events calendar for 2026. The “bold, refreshed events strategy”, as the importer puts it, aims to forge deeper connections with its customer base.
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Published: 16 January, 2026
Family-run wine merchant Ellis Wines – which supplies the on-trade – has achieved B Corp certification, with a B impact score of 84.8.
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Published: 16 January, 2026
Distributor Liberty Wines has strengthened its South Africa portfolio with the addition of A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines and the expertise of Damon Quinlan, who joins the team with over 20 years’ experience selling South African wine into the UK.
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Published: 15 January, 2026
The Prosecco DOC has unveiled its sales figures for 2025 with 667 million bottles sold globally – representing 1.1% growth year on year. The value of these sales stood at €3.6bn, approximately the same as 2024.
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