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The week that was

Top stories: Plenty of news and debate this week following the Budget and the issue of Post Duty Point Distillation, which – Harpers revealed - has been highlighted for removal in 2020, potentially affecting hundreds of UK businesses.

And another major M&A has been announced.

This morning, we learned UK-based wine supplier and brand owner Copestick Murray and Cava giant Freixenet will merge as of January 1, with aims of becoming the number one sparkling supplier to the UK trade.

• Matthew Clark strengthens wine buying team with new trio
• Ban on post duty point dilution could hammer British made and low abv wine
• IMW officially welcomes 14 new MWs to the fold
• Freixenet-Copestick merger to create sparkling super supplier
• Lidl sweeps the board at Wotwine supermarket awards
• WSTA expands board as part of strategy to support import and export

Analysis and Insights: This week we started off November’s North America focus with an overview of leading regions and trends.

We also drew on sparkling wine research carried out with Wines Direct.

And we picked out some strong pieces of advice from consultant Sean Finter, a master at optimising returns from on-trade businesses.

• Rigging the game
• Insights: Focus on fizz
• Looking Stateside

People and Opinion: This week, Guy Woodward asked the million-dollar question. How will wine get its cool back?

And Tim Atkin MW continued to inspire debate with his piece on climate change in Burgundy and whether this "potential catastrophe" is making it more difficult to achieve elegant styles.

• Guy Woodward: Who’s gonna make wine woke? 
• Tim Atkin MW: It’s heating up in Burgundy
  
  
  
  

• The week that was