Get to know vegan wines

Swept up in the whirlwind of healthier eating and drinking trends, Jo Gilbert finds vegan wines are broadening their mass-market appeal

Oregon: On pushing Pinot Noir

Oregon has become the Pinot Noir capital of the Pacific Northwest. Jo Gilbert traces its evolution to the modern winemakers now redefining the grape

Rising from the ashes

Opportunity and hard times lie ahead for the trade following Conviviality’s collapse and breakup of its empire. Lisa Riley assesses the impact on rival wholesalers

Looking ahead after Conviviality's fall

The pros and cons of the indie hybrid

As independent retailers adapt to survive in a competitive market, Lisa Riley asks the businesses flying the hybrid flag about the successes and challenges they have experienced along the way

Buying wine in the home of the future

Bacardi goes Back to the Bar

Last month, 5,500 Bacardi employees left their desks and headed to their local haunt for the inaugural Back to the Bar initiative. Jo Gilbert finds out more

Championing the all female winemaker list

International Women's Day 2018 this March was an important date for Caprice Holdings’ South Kensington stalwart Daphne’s, prefacing the official launch of the all-female section of its wine list, which is headlined by Alexandra Petit-Mentzelopoulos of Château Margaux.

Portugal Uncovered

Following on from last month’s Simplesmente Vinho in Portugal, Sarah Ahmed takes a look at the producers really shaking things up for the country’s wine scene

Spain raises the stakes

Spain has long been known as the commercial hub of Europe’s classic winemaking regions – a category that has traditionally seen off-trade sales veer towards its £5-£10 “sweet spot” or lower, to the sub-£5, rather than its top tier of lauded pagos.

Riesling: gateway to Germany

Could Riesling be the answer to opening consumers' minds to lesser-known German Wines? Lisa Riley reports

Shaking up the sparkling wine market

It’s long been the case that Champagne sales are a barometer of the times, with a rise or fall in fortunes reflecting the performance of the broader economy. This has held true in the UK market through various recessions and dips, and the current downturn in Champagne sales is no exception.

Mediterranean momentum

Wine from Mediterranean countries accounts for more than half of the world’s global wine production – and it’s growing, with sparkling leading the charge. Jo Gilbert reports

Shifting consumer mores

The latest Wine Intelligence research delves into the changing patterns of global wine buying and consumption, revealing some unexpected trends. 

Buying Clever 2018

Against a backdrop of more concise wine lists, the casual dining trend, increasingly demanding customers, plus rising prices for the classics, Andrew Catchpole assembled an on-trade panel at SITT to ask about their buying approach for the year ahead

Maxxium UK rebrands in a bid to clarify market position

Maxxium UK, the UK’s sales and distribution arm of global companies Beam Suntory and Edrington has undergone an enormous period of change since 2009, when the head office of its global brand owners – then a mix of Edrington, Beam, Rémy Cointreau and former Absolut owner VMS – folded.

The Barrow boys

Corney & Barrow’s wholesale side has been quietly expanding under the thoughtful direction of head of Merchant Business James Franklin, now represnting a major driving force for this City-based company. 

Why the wine bar is back with a bang

A rash of exciting new openings are showing how far the wine bar revival has come after falling out of vogue at the turn of the century, but today’s wine-focused hotspots are a far cry from the aloof haunts of old. Jo Gilbert reports

Profile: Friarwood's new groove

Now in its 51st year, boutique London merchant Friarwood is being given a new lease of life under its young leadership team. Jo Gilbert reports

Gallic Groove

French wines rank third in the UK off-trade in terms of value sales by country of origin (Nielsen, off-trade MAT to December 12, 2017), and fourth in terms of volume, with only New Zealand commanding a higher average price per bottle sold, at £8.80 versus £9.50 respectively.