Soaring sherry sales prop up Tio Pepe’s 12th release

Drinks Wholesaler Spotlight 2021 – our business survey

Given the immense disruption of the past year, we’re morphing our annual Top Wholesaler list into a 2021 showcase for the innovation, adaptation and support seen from companies across this all important sector.

Bordeaux trading rises on US tariff suspension ahead of 2020 EP campaign

Market sentiment towards Bordeaux is “showing signs of recovery” as this year’s En Primeur campaign swings around, according to the Liv-ex members’ Bordeaux report released today.

One in four venues reopen for first week of outdoor service

Just under a quarter of England’s licensed premises have opened for trade in hospitality’s first week back for outdoor-only service, with pubs in particular capitalising on wider access to beer gardens, patios and other outdoor areas.

Indie supply disruptor Propeller ramps up distribution with SA’s Ross Sleet

Indies distribution incubator Propeller has teamed up exclusively with the Ross Sleet founded South African négociant Rascallion as it grows its model-defying footprint in the UK market.

Industry slams reported plans for mandatory on-trade BWS calorie labelling

UK Hospitality (UKH) and the Portman Group has voiced serious concern in relation to reported plans for licensed premises to label calorie count on beers, wine and spirits (BWS), with the Department of Health considering a consultation on plans to mandate any business with 250 or more employees to display calorie labels. 

Key agents back LWF Welcome Back Wednesday

Several leading UK based companies, all with an on-trade focus, have signed up to exhibit at the London Wine Fair’s (LWF) inaugural Welcome Back Wednesday, in addition to the May event, showing portfolios specifically for this sector.  

Freixenet adds Spanish wines to still portfolio

Freixenet has expanded its still wine portfolio with a Spanish collection. 

Naked sales soar 68%

Naked Wines has reported a 68% leap in sales for the year ended 29 March, 2021.

Near 60% like-for-like sales rise on first day of hospitality trading

Pubs, bars and restaurants that were able to trade on 12 April saw like-for-like sales rise nearly 58.6% on the same day in 2019, according to new CGA data. 

Latimer appoints ex-somm Caroline Brangé to head up sales

Latimer Vintners has appointed ex-sommelier Caroline Brangé to head up its on and off-trade sales, working closely with London’s hospitality establishments as they prepare to re-open their doors.

Rioja unveils strategic five-year plan

The Consejo Regulador DOCa of Rioja has unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic plan aimed at boosting the region's sustainability credentials, driving wine tourism and increasing exports.

Symington announces 2019 quinta vintage Ports

Symington Family Estates has announced that it has bottled six quinta vintage Ports from 2019, of which two will be released en primeur – Quinta do Vesúvio and Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira.

Naked announces new chair

Naked Wines has announced that Darryl Rawlings will join the Board with immediate effect as an independent non-executive director. 

SLTA: ‘Opening on 26 April unviable for most’

The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA has reiterated its disappointment that Scotland’s bars, restaurants and cafés will still not be able to serve alcohol indoors until the licensed hospitality industry begins to reopens more freely next month.

On-trade fears ‘Covid passports’ could cause 25% drop in profit

On-trade businesses fear that Covid Status Certification (CSC), also referred to as ‘Covid passports’, will slash profits by a quarter, according to a snap survey carried out by UK Hospitality (UKH).

Countdown to Think Gin digital day

The countdown is on for this year’s Think Gin digital day hosted by Harpers Wine & Spirit and Drinks Retailing News, and promising a full and exciting programme of content dedicated to the popular spirit. 

Online BWS sales slump

Year on year online beer, wines and spirits (BWS) sales slumped 6.7% in March, making it the only category online to record negative growth, according to IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index.

Long Read: The frosty face of climate change

The devastation caused by last week's plummeting temperatures and frosts in Europe was a pernicious reminder that climate change-induced extreme weather events are on the rise.

Berkmann unveils latest hospitality support initiative

Berkmann Wine Cellars has launched a new initiative to help on-trade venues across the country reopen.