Symington announce €5m investment in new table wine winery with eye on Douro’s premium future

Pre-eminent port producer Symington Family Estates has announced plans to spend up to €4 to €5 million on a new winemaking facility at Quinta do Ataíde in the Douro to underpin the quality of its table wine production.

Meet the buyers: Andrew Shaw

James Lawrence continues his buyer-focused odyssey, speaking to some of the most influential names in the business 

Barry Dick MW joins Copestick Murray as head of winemaking

Copestick Murray has appointed Barry Dick MW to head up the the i heart distributor's wine portfolio.

Chilean Malbec continues rise as UK Roadshow ramps up focus on diversity

Sales of Chilean Malbec increased 51% in 2017, accounting for 12% of all Malbec sold in the UK, spearheading the fast growth of several of Chile’s emerging varieties.

Price-savvy Enotria to introduce new wines at tasting

The impact of soaring prices after 2017’s dismal global wine harvest can be offset by switching to lesser known offerings from further afield, one leading drinks distributor has suggested.

Hallgarten tasting unveils alternative classics and emerging regions with wide ranging portfolio boost

Hallgarten Wines signalled what it described as “a commitment to keeping price rises at a minimum” at its annual London tasting on 29 January, showing over 150 wines new to its portfolio, with many alternative appellations and new regions on show.

Bancroft Wines appoints Jon Worsley as CEO

London-based distributor Bancroft Wines has appointed former Liberty Wines commercial director Jon Worsley as its new CEO.

Conviviality sales surge 9.2% as market share grows

Sales at independent drinks distributor Conviviality surged by 9.2% to £836.3m in the 26 weeks to October 29 2017, the group announced today.

Historic Laytons name dropped from Jeroboams merchant arm

ADT suppliers up their Oz bids as competition ramps up from China and the US

A hardy – dare we suggest, typically Australian – attitude to price hikes and supply challenges was the main exhibit at yesterday’s Australia Day Tasting, where plenty of creative and business flair set out the category’s stall for 2018.

Liberty buoyant but cautions market will remain tough in 2018

A slowing economy, with falling on-trade sales, smaller lists and people drinking less is the predicted outlook for 2018, according to Liberty Wines managing director David Gleave MW.

Boutique boost for Hayward Bros New World portfolio

London-based importer Hayward Bros is capitalising on a trend for artisanal New World wines with the addition to its portfolio of several smaller scale wineries this January.

UK Agents: are you being served?

I wish to be cremated… one tenth of my ashes shall be given to my agent, as written in my contract,” quipped Groucho Marx of the breed that acts for the stars. Finding humorous quotes at the expense of agents is easy work, whether levelled at the acting or commercial world, with these designated business representatives – popularly the “10 percenters” – coming in for flack for apparently sitting back while counting their cut for little in return. 

Liberty Wines bolsters NZ with Marlborough addition

Liberty Wines is bolstering its already strong New Zealand collection in order to keep in step with the continued popularity of Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

Schaafsma says major Oz distribution deal makes Broadland "relevant" for the future

Broadland Wineries is aiming to become a one-stop shop for antipodean wines thanks to a new major distribution deal which will see them partner with Australia’s biggest bulk wine supplier.

Global shortfall to deliver “unprecedented” impact, says Kingsland

“The dynamics of the current market are unprecedented,” Kevin Wilson, Kingsland’s buying controller for South America and South Africa, has told Harpers, with reference to the OIV-estimated 10% global vintage shortfall in 2017. 

Crown Cellars push to highlight spirits portfolio with Thinking Drinkers

In response to what it describes as “massive changes” in the market, Carlsberg’s wine division Crown Cellars has teamed up with the Thinking Drinkers to bring its premium spirits portfolio to greater prominence alongside its wines with the launch of Spirits.

Hallgarten banks on the Burgundy stars of tomorrow

Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines has overhauled its Burgundy list to put a greater focus on rising stars and lesser-known appellations.

Copestick Murray swoops in on Slurp

Copestick Murray, the drinks distributor and producer, has acquired a 40% stake in The Slurp Wine Company.

Flint Wines to balance 2016 shortages with older Burgundy vintage

Burgundy specialists in the UK are having to re-think their en primeur formats this year after 2016’s weather woes meant that allocation in certain appellations are ‘tiny’.