The WSTA is sticking to its ‘hope for the best, prepare for the worst’ approach to Brexit as we hurtle towards the 1 January deadline with no deal in sight. Jo Gilbert speaks to chief executive Miles Beale about what we can expect at the eleventh hour.
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Rueda is the Spanish white with the most global appeal, but it’s more complex, higher-end wines deserve to be better known. Andrew Catchpole reports
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Spain deserves better recognition as a leader in organic and sustainable viticulture and its time may well have come, writes Andrew Catchpole.
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While most areas of the trade experience decline, Spain still has the odd reason to be cheerful in buoyant UK exports and ever-robust Rioja. James Lawrence reports
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The UK remains at the forefront of the premium Port category, with sales of late-bottled vintage (LBV), quality white Port, aged tawnies, single vineyard and classic vintage ports, all remaining resilient through Covid. A nation of consumers stuck at home, looking to indulge, appears to have been largely positive for the quality end of UK Port sales. Built on a long-standing relationship with the UK, sales at Symington Family Estates are up 10% by value and 9% by volume compared with this time last year.
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The mandatory and cumbersome VI-1 forms may not be a legal requirement until next summer, but bureaucratic Brexit hurdles still await, writes James Lawrence
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The rise of hard seltzers in the US and, increasingly, the UK, is ushering in a new age of high functioning, health-focused drinks, which is comparable to the rise of vaping in the smoking sector. Hugh Jones weighs in.
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A renewed focused on shop-front retail has led to a rash of new openings, from Manchester to Birmingham and Surrey, writes Jo Gilbert.
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Coronavirus has a nasty habit of moving the goalposts – particularly for the on-trade. Or, perhaps more accurately, moving the goalposts, detonating the playing field, dancing on the smouldering remains and making you yearn for the days when a 5-0 defeat was all you had to worry about.
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With a second lockdown now underway, the major players are all doubling down on off-trade strategies for a stay-at-home Christmas. Jo Gilbert looks at how they aim to maximise profits during this challenging final chapter of the year
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The WSTA’s annual summit was a battle cry for government to embrace new technology along our increasingly complicated and antiquated borders, as Jo Gilbert reports
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Andrew Catchpole reports on the discussions and findings of the recent virtual Think Spirits webinar focusing on how the industry is adapting to new demands
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Lockdown has been kind to sherry, with the category building on its momentum within cocktail culture. Aleesha Hansel reports
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Andrew Catchpole looks at the importance and benefits of promoting diversity and inclusivity in the drinks trade
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The first in our two-part webinar considered the evolution of organic winemaking and the challenges and opportunities that this path delivers. Andrew Catchpole prompted the debate.
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Hard hit by the pandemic, South Africa’s winemakers are proving their resilience and fighting back with an eye on higher quality and pricing. By Andrew Catchpole
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With Covid and Brexit uncertainty pressing down ahead of Christmas, Andrew Catchpole asked some of our top 50 Best Indies what lies ahead.
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Lockdowns, curfews and restrictions are putting major obstacles in the way of Christmas campaigns as Covid-19 continues to move the goalposts for businesses.
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Wine drinkers across key consumption markets have been turning more often to the beverage during the pandemic. This is spurred by new lockdown occasions and more drinking outside of mealtimes, according to a new Wine Consumer Trends in the Covid-19 Era report released by Wine Intelligence.
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The government has made a meal out of eating out, with serious repercussions for the trade. Chris Losh reports
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