Spain must plant more international grape varieties, says Rabobank

Spain should plant more international varieties and bill Tempranillo as its signature grape, if it is to combat oversupply issues and compete globally, says a Rabobank report.

The week ahead: Budget and tastings dominate the agenda

The wine and spirits trade faces one of its most eventful weeks of the year as it counts down to Wednesday's Budget with a series of major generic tastings.

Mark Fiddes sorts the Messis from the Rooneys in the Wine World Cup

Forget about Brazil 2014. The World Cup has already been decided.

Melissa Draycott on how González Byass is expanding its Spanish wine offer

Melissa Draycott, sales director from González Byass, explains to Carol Emmas why it is keen to get its message across to the trade that it has a wine offer that more than complements its world famous sherries

Prosecco's mass appeal may limit growth, says Cava boss

Prosecco's meteoric rise is not at the expense of Cava, insists Grupo Codorniu UK's boss, who says its mass appeal may inhibit further growth.

How growth in tapas is driving consumer understanding of Spanish wine

UK consumers are just discovering that Spain's wine regions offer as much diversity, quality and value as its tapas. Andrew Catchpole reports

Spain: food for thought

The UK is just discovering that Spain's wine regions offer as much diversity, quality and value as its tapas. Andrew Catchpole reports

Matthew Clark to distribute Catalan wine Herencia Altés

On-trade wholesaler Matthew Clark has added Catalan wine Herencia Altés, previously distributed by Liberty Wines, to its portfolio.

González Byass sees rapid growth in on-trade

González Byass is growing rapidly in the UK on-trade since taking on distribution for Champagne Deutz five months ago.

Liberty Wines prioritises customer education over London Wine Fair

Liberty Wines is prioritising its customer roadshows ahead of major trade exhibitions and won't be attending London Wine Fair this year. 

Bodegas Muriel to target independents with its Rioja wines through Moreno Wines

Spanish producer, Bodegas Muriel, is looking to strengthen its distibution in the independent sector after signing an exclusive agreement with Moreno Wines having already built up good distribution in the multiple off-trade through Off Piste Wines. 

New African importer looks to distribute premium European wine across the continent

Africa Wine Merchants, a new specialist wine importer based in Cape Town, is looking to bring premium European wines to key emerging markets across Africa.

Wines of Rioja to target on-trade in 2014

Justin Knock MW on wine pricing, supply and demand in 2014

Justin Knock MW, consultant at Cobevco, takes a look at what the industry can expect regarding pricing, supply and demand in the year ahead.

French wines set for success with advent of sophisticated consumers

Wine's winners and losers in 2013 and prospects for 2014

The wine regions of the world closed out 2013 with some clear winners like South Africa, which reported record exports, and New Zealand, which just entered into a new trade agreement with Taiwan. But countries including Argentina and Australia faced big challenges. We take a look at how the world's major wine regions fared in 2013 and look at their prospects for 2014.

Wine's winners and losers in 2013 and predictions for 2014

Origin Wine strengthens Old World portfolio with Spanish distribution deal

Origin Wine has strengthened its portfolio of Old World wines by signing a distribution agreement with Alvisa the Spanish winery.

James McKenna to switch from Codorniu to Mentzendorff

James McKenna is to join Mentzendorff & Co as sales director in the new year.

EWGA announces double-digit distribution growth for Bodega Riojanas

Lancashire-based independent wholesaler EWGA, has announced a 40% increase in distribution for its brand Bodega Riojanas since it took over from Boutinot earlier in the year.