Wine

Curious brew: Kingsland seeks younger drinkers with new ready-to-drink beverage

Wine

Netting young wine drinkers takes sweet turn

By Nicholas Robinson

Childhood sweets have entered the wine suppliers' arsenal of tactics used to entice younger drinkers, following Kingsland Drinks reveal of its sweet-flavoured beverages at the London Wine Fair last week.

Who was at the London Wine Fair 2016?

LWF

London Wine Fair 2016 – who you missed

By Nicholas Robinson

Gallons of wine were no doubt drank at the London Wine Fair this year, with exhibitors from across the globe poised to showcase their products to the on-trade. If you couldn't make it, though, we've put together a short picture gallery to show...

London Wine Fair: 3-5 May

Wine

What’s on at the London Wine Fair?

By Nicholas Robinson

Wine will flow in the capital today (3 May) as the London Wine Fair opens its doors to the trade, but what should operators look out for at the largest trade drinks show in the UK? Nicholas Robinson explores ahead of the event.

Why is wine the alcohol industry's forgotten sibling?

Why is wine the alcohol industry's forgotten sibling?

By Dan Townsend

While the rest of the UK was reverberating to the news of Chancellor George Osbourne’s decision to impose a levy on sugary soft drinks in last month’s Budget, the wine industry was again getting used to another year of being the alcohol industry’s forgotten...

A good idea?: Crown Cellars new Bad Eye Deer

Wine

New wines to ‘rival craft beer’, says Crown Cellars

By Nicholas Robinson

Carlsberg-owned Crown Cellars – the brewer's UK wine and spirits division – has launched a range of on-trade exclusive wines aimed at attracting younger, quirkier customers and to compete with craft ale.

Chapel Down smashes £1m crowdfunding target for new brewery

Crowdfunding

Chapel Down smashes £1m target for new brewery

By Daniel Woolfson

British wine producer Chapel Down has raised more than £1.7m for its new Curious Drinks brewery through crowdfunding, smashing its original target of £1m.

First time for Sake at LWF

London Wine Fair

Inaugural sake exhibition at LWF

By Nicholas Robinson

Sake will be exhibited at the London Wine Fair (LWF) for the first time later this year, reflecting the growing importance of the category in the capital, according to event organisers.

Cameron: 'Brexit would be bad for wine and spirits'

EU Referendum

Cameron: 'a stronger alcohol industry lies within the EU'

By Nicholas Robinson

Britain's alcohol industry will be safer and stronger if the UK votes to stay in the European Union (EU), Prime Minister David Cameron has promised ahead of the referendum later this year.

Exciting new trade show - The Bar & Pub Show - launches

Events

Exciting new trade show - The Bar & Pub Show - launches

By Mike Berry

A new event dedicated to the bar and pub sector will run alongside this year's Restaurant Show at Olympia bringing together the best suppliers in the business with top operators that are transforming the UK’s on-trade.

WSTA Government alcohol duty cut to support pubs distillers vineyards

Two percent cut in alcohol duty will support on-trade, WSTA claims

By Ben Winstanley

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called for the Government to back British distilleries and vineyards with a 2% alcohol duty cut in the March Budget, a move they claim will support the growing demand for wine and spirits in the on-trade.

Wine predictions for 2016

Wine predictions for 2016

By Ben Winstanley

As wine continues to rise in popularity both in the on-trade and home markets, what does 2016 have in store? Crown Cellars wine vendors share their predictions for the year ahead.

The insight profiles eight different types of consumer and the choices they make in terms of drinks

Report

1/2 of affluent young choose wine over other drinks, report claims

By Jessica Mason

Affluent young families aged between 25 and 45 make up a 12% share of the UK’s on-trade wine market and almost half of those (47%) would choose wine as their first choice of alcoholic drink over spirits, beer or cider, according to new research from Bibendum...

Hybrid & niche venues remind us pubs need to stand out

Could these new venues be killing pubs?

By Nigel Huddleston

From cafes serving beer through to niche outlets where standard pubs don't answer the need, The Publican's Morning Advertiser looks at differing business models - the threats as well as the lessons.

Noble Rot: the dynamic duo behind London's hottest new wine bar

Noble nerds: the dynamic duo behind London's hottest new wine bar

By Ben Winstanley

As wine begins to attract a younger, ‘cooler’ audience, the dynamic duo behind Noble Rot talk about the philosophy behind their new wine bar venture and how to encourage people to engage with what’s in their glass, Ben Winstanley reports.  

Serving fizz by the glass is an opportunity that shouldn't be overlooked

Business boosters

Reasons why YOU should sell fizz

By Jessica Mason

If you think you take advantage of drinks trends but you’re still not selling bubbly by the glass, it’s a bit like saying you’re really interested in music but you don’t see the point in going to a gig.

Taking all of the WSET courses back to back, Jessica Mason completes Level 3 after 6 weeks of study

Taking the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines

By Jessica Mason

The WSET Level 3 Award in Wines spanned six weeks of my life. Every Thursday for six weeks, that is.The course is ideal for anyone who has already passed the Level 2 and has an understanding of wine that goes beyond mere competence and, instead, works...

Mulled drinks - can you pull the punters in with warmth and comfort?

Drinks

Mulled drinks - can you pull the punters in with warmth and comfort?

By Nigel Huddleston

Autumn is well and truly on us, Christmas is fast approaching and the need to plan ahead for something warm and comforting to pull punters in to pubs needs to be addressed. Well fear not, says Nigel Huddleston, you need look no further than mulled wine...

Stephen Harris of the Sportsman working on new London wine bar

NEW OPENING

Top 50 Gastropubs chef lends expertise to London wine bar

By Daniel Woolfson

Stephen Harris, the chef patron and Shepherd Neame tenant of Top 50 Gastropubs winner, the Sportsman, is lending his culinary expertise to upcoming London wine bar and restaurant, Noble Rot.

There's a wine for that curry, says IWC boss

National Curry Week

Wine and curry pairings: the rules

By Nicholas Robinson

Wine doesn’t have to be overlooked during National Curry Week (NCW), according to International Wine Challenge boss Peter McCombie, who has revealed his top tips for pairing wine with curry.

Taking all of the WSET courses back to back while working full time can be achievable

Why should you do the WSET Level 2 Award?

By Jessica Mason

If you imagine that the WSET Level 1 award is your Scout badge for being able to identify different types of knots, Level 2 teaches you to tie them correctly.

Chefs on the top 50 list create dishes that are second to none

Top 50 Gastropubs Awards 2016

Win a Top 50 Gastropubs Award

You and your pub could be immortalised as a winner of one of the three specialist awards categories open to entry at next year’s Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs Awards.

Life is too short to not indulge yourself in great drinks

Less isn't always more

By Jessica Mason

Honesty and transparency in drinks creation is important, but so is the skill of a good blend. It is something that has been overlooked for some time. Why? Because, these days, we’re a bit suspicious of anything rogue. Is there horse meat in it? Nuts?...

79% of wine drinkers don't have any brand loyalty

Wine

79% of wine drinkers don't have any brand loyalty

By Michelle Perrett

Four-fifths of wine drinkers (79%) admitted to changing brands or having no brand loyalty, the latest market report from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed.

Recommended career path for sommeliers outlined

Wine

Recommended career path for sommeliers outlined

By Michelle Perrett

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe (CMS) have joined forces to publish a recommended career path for aspiring sommeliers in the UK.

How to create the perfect festive bar

Christmas Advice

How to create the perfect festive bar

By Laurie Macdonald

Christmas may seem to be in the distance, but planning is everything when approaching this critical time of year. Laurie MacDonald learns how to create the perfect festive bar.

One in five British drinkers expect to drinks less next year

One in five British drinkers expect to drinks less next year

By M&C Allegra

While alcoholic drinks remain a core part of many adults’ food and drink repertoires, new research from Mintel reveals almost one in five (17%) British drinkers expect to reduce their consumption over the next year, with saving money being the number...

Doing the WSET

Doing the WSET

By Jessica Mason

I’m learning about wine. It felt like time. It’s something I have resisted for ages. I’m on a quest to find out the business merits for people thinking of taking the WSET exams. So, I’m sitting them. All of them. From start to finish. Until my brain gives...

Back bar bulletin

Back bar bulletin

By Laurie Macdonald

Spirits to softs and cocktails to cider, your essential round-up of what's happened on the back bar.

Enotria snaps up Coe Vintners

Wine

Enotria snaps up Coe Vintners

By Laurie Macdonald

The wine distribution company Enotria has announced the acquisition of Coe Vintners.

Supermarket brands sweep the board at IWC

Supermarket brands sweep the board at IWC

By Laurie Macdonald

The licensed trade is facing increased opposition from the off-trade sector when it comes to wine, results from the 2015 International Wine Challenge (IWC) indicate.

Prosecco shortage sparks industry fears

Prosecco shortage sparks industry fears

By Laurie Macdonald

Rumours of a possible summer prosecco shortage have sparked frenzied speculation in the industry and national media over whether the world will face a shortage of the Italian tipple, and for the trade, if will prices increase.