Greater urgency and clarity on business and on-trade support needed immediately

As the on-trade shuts down, suppliers and hospitality operators are continuing to press government and banks on the speed with which relief measures are needed by the trade.

PM urges public to avoid pubs, clubs and social venues

Socialising in groups and travelling for non-essential reasons is no officially a no-no the government has said as it introduces stricter measures for dealing with the spread of coronavirus (Covid–19).

WSTA in pan UK-EU talks to ensure GIs protected post Brexit

By January 2021, when Brexit comes into force, WSTA, the UK’s drinks lobby group, will no longer be a member of the pan-European wine trade body, CEEV. But ahead of further UK-EU trade talks, the two bodies are uniting once more to lobby for the continued smooth trade of wine across the English Channel.

Pernod Ricard invests in Italy’s Italicus

Pernod Ricard has expanded its ‘super’ premium spirits portfolio with an undisclosed investment in bergamot-infused Italian aperitivo Italicus.

Budget: Chancellor announces freeze on all alcohol duty

Duty on wines, spirits and beers is to be frozen, new Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in today’s budget, allaying trade fears of another rise in line with inflation.

Brexit red tape to hit premium trade

Government’s post-Brexit default adoption of EU regulations will pile further costs on indies, specialist importers and on-trade. Andrew Catchpole unravels the flaws in its proposed trading position

Vinexpo Hong Kong postponed while LWF still on

Vinexpo Hong Kong is to be rescheduled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. It will now run from 8 to 10 July this year, instead of 26 to 28 May.

Prowein postponed

Following growing speculation it has been announced that Prowein 2020 will be postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Govt immigration plans to disrupt hospitality sector

The hospitality sector fears damage from the government’s new point-based immigration plan, a new survey has revealed.

Campari moves registered office to the Netherlands

Campari has unveiled plans to move its registered office from Italy to the Netherlands as part of a shareholder shakeup geared towards M&A opportunities.

EU producers must support UK to deliver best Brexit outcome

European wine producers should join their UK counterparts in lobbying their own MPs and the EU to deliver the most favourable post-Brexit trading environment.

Cult Wines taps Buchmuller for lead buying role

Fine wine investment business Cult Wines has hired Hubert Buchmuller from AXA Millésimes to head up its purchasing team. 

Brexit boost for Boris from UK consumer businesses

Consumer businesses are overwhelmingly confident that the government will negotiate a good Brexit deal, according to a new survey from financial services consultancy RSM.

Wine Lister joins forces with French media giant

UK-based fine wine agency and analytics platform, Wine Lister, has been acquired by French media outfit, Groupe Figaro.

TWE slashes growth predictions as US business stalls

Treasure Wine Estates (TWE) has cut its predictions of growth for 2020 from between 15% and 20% to between 5% and 10% after its first half-year figures were released yesterday.

BIVB becomes WSET patron

Educator to the wine industry, The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), has new backing in the form of Burgundy’s official wine board.

Vinexpo and Comexposium join forces

Leading global wine event organisations Vinexpo and Comexposium are to join forces in a new body.

London restaurateurs call for wine duty cut

Spirits drive UK exports to China

Sales of UK spirits to China are up 35.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2019, a new report from the Food and Drink Federation has revealed.

Wine Source Group to fuel growth with private equity funding

Private equity fund Saphir Capital has taken a majority stake in international fine-wine supplier Wine Source Group.