Liberty pushes into new frontiers ahead of Brexit

An English winemaker, a French winemaker and an Italian winemaker walk into a winebar.

Liberty takes on Piper-Heidsieck

Liberty Wines is bolstering its Champagne portfolio by taking on distribution for Piper-Heidsieck.

Greencroft on target to become largest UK bottling operation

Major investment by Lanchester Wine Cellars in its bottling subsidiary Greencroft is to see production boosted from 100 million litres in 2018 to a capacity of between 3-400 million litres by early 2020.

Halewood Wines & Spirits not dialling down wine despite ramping up spirits

Liverpool-based wine and spirit producer Halewood Wines & Spirits has denied it is slowing down its wine business after several moves this year to boost its international spirits profile and selling off its “loss making” Romanian wine arm.

Hatch Mansfield signs distribution deal for Gaja

Hatch Mansfield has signed a deal as the exclusive UK agent for the Gaja family, marking the first Italian producer to join its portfolio

Berkmann signs distribution deal for Franciacorta producer Ca’ del Bosco

Berkmann Wine Cellars has announced a new partnership with Franciacorta producer Ca’ del Bosco.

Neil Ellis joins Gonzalez Byass UK

Red Squirrel expands team into Scotland

Red Squirrel has grown its team north of the border with the appointment of a Scottish based account manager.

MMD swells Burgundy ranks with Billaud-Simon

Maisons Marques et Domaines has been given exclusivity rights for Chablis producer Domaine Billaud-Simon.

Bulk matters

An increasingly sophisticated and sustainably focused bulk wine sector is in global ascendancy and it is increasingly shaping the world’s wine market, including the premium end.

Premium and new formats offer big opportunities for bulk wine market

With the global 2018 harvests bringing the world’s wine supply back into greater balance, the market is evolving to allow greater fluidity in supply, to the benefit of premium bulk players and smaller volume buyers, with differing formats cited as key to future consumer engagement and sales.

Creating stronger bonds

At first glance, the day-to-day logistics of running a bonded warehouse is scarcely of any interest to the wider trade, let alone consumers. Regarded as a prosaic stepping stone in the overall supply chain, firms such as Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) have been managing these “holding bays” for decades, a regulated space where imported goods that are intended for export can be stored without actually entering the UK market. Duty and VAT payments are deferred until the wine is sold or removed from the bonded warehouse. It’s that simple.

Accolade beats BMW and McLaren to manufacturing award

Accolade Wines, Britain’s largest wine supplier by volume, has scooped a top award for its Bristol-based bottling facility.

‘Ready to drink’ 2017 Burgundies could ease sky-high prices ahead of Brexit

The wines now emerging from Burgundy’s 2017 vintage could help to ease the pockets of restaurants and fine wine merchants, it has been suggested.

Freixenet-Copestick merger to create sparkling super supplier

UK-based wine supplier and brand owner Copestick Murray and Cava giant Freixenet have revealed plans to merge as of January 1.

Pernod Ricard looks to Canada for latest premium gin

Pernod Ricard UK is further expanding the top end of its gin portfolio with leading Canadian brand Ungava.

Artadi joins Pol Roger

Pol Roger Portfolio has announced it will be distributing the wines of Spanish producer Bodegas Artadi, bringing the full range to the UK from November 1.

Treasury Wine Estates introduces Cavaliere d’Oro

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has launched a new Italian wine brand called Cavaliere d’Oro.

Condor Wines agrees deal with Bouchon Family Wines

Condor Wines, the specialist South American wine importer, has agreed a partnership with Chilean wine producer Bouchon Family Wines.

Top 50 Wholesalers

Introducing our 2018 ranking of the drinks wholesale businesses that are doing the most to influence, improve and drive forward the supply of quality wines, beers and spirits in the UK