The Old Kent Road in south London is one of the country’s oldest and most storied. The original track was paved by the Romans and used as their principal thoroughfare between old Londinium and the coast. Geoffrey Chaucer wrote about its use as a pilgrim’s way in The Canterbury Tales and later it was the route by which King Henry V and his men returned triumphant from the battle of Agincourt.

Spanish producer Familia Torres has retained its crown as The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand after topping the list for 2022.

South African Wine Rebounds

17 February, 2022

Strong demand from the UK, the US and China helped South African wine exports increase by 12.1% in value to R10.2bn in 2021.

New Zealand Winegrowers has launched an online portal designed to support the trade in major export markets around the world.

The London Wine Fair will now take place from June 7-9 in order to avoid a direct clash with Prowein.

London Wine Fair director Hannah Tovey has branded Prowein's decision to move the Dusseldorf-based show to May "a direct attack" on the UK drinks trade.

Treasury Wine Estates, one of the world’s largest wine companies, has announced an agreement to acquire Frank Family Vineyards including the historic winery, brand and vineyard holdings.

Logistics companies within the global drinks industry have been battered by an unprecedented confluence of headwinds during the past 18 months.

South Africa has suffered greater than most countries during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has reported three times as many cases as any other African country, and many of the government’s attempts to curb the virus – closing borders, prohibiting or restricting the domestic sale of alcohol, and banning the transport of goods to the country’s ports – have had a damaging impact on the wine industry.

Alison Levett, the former chief executive of Enotria, was recently appointed to the role of non-executive chair at leading wine supplier Berkmann Wine Cellars. She discusses her vision for the company and the key traits and values required for a wine agency to thrive in the years ahead.

Indevin New Zealand has completed the purchase of 100% of the shares of Villa Maria Estate for an undisclosed fee.

Canned wine hits new heights

23 September, 2021

It’s fair to say that the perception of canned wine among consumers has historically been less than favourable, perceived as the choice of hen parties, train-drinkers, and people with “it’s wine o’clock” fridge magnets. In recent years though, canned wine has matured and now some very good products are available in the format.

Popular trade show Cape Wine will return to Cape Town from October 5-7, 2022.

French wine production will fall to its lowest levels since 1970 after late spring frosts ravaged several regions, according to the country’s agriculture ministry.

The United States has once again topped the list of the most attractive wine markets in the world,  according to a new report from Wine Intelligence.

Pernod Ricard has taken a minority stake in the New York-based wine and spirits producer Sovereign Brands.

Celebrated wine writer Jancis Robinson MW has sold her eponymous website to U.S. digital media company Recurrent Ventures for an undisclosed sum.

Ice Wine's Asian appeal

24 August, 2021

Sometimes accidents breed innovation. In 1928 Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by chance, having thrown away a bacteria sample he thought was spent.

The man who helped establish Malbec as Argentina’s flagship grape is now bidding to showcase the country’s potential as a producer of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

Pernod Ricard UK has launched Leaps & Bounds, a new range of Australian wines inspired by dogs.

VSPT Wine Group has seen an 11% increase in sales for Q2 to maintain its number one spot in the Chilean market.

The UK’s most popular wines could disappear from supermarket shelves and pubs after the government proposed a 25% tariff on all wine imports from the US.

Trivento has been revealed as the world’s best-selling Argentine wine brand in a report by IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

The German Wine Institute (DWI) is calling for donations for wine producers in the Ahr Valley, devastated by last week’s extreme flooding.

Martini has announced that all its Asti grape suppliers are on track to being certified sustainable by Equalitas in 2021.

Kevin McCabe, former head sommelier of Zuma, Roka and Yautacha Group, has teamed up with, Antony Lyon, of Lyon's Seafood & wine bar, to open a new brasserie and wine bar in east London.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called for the UK government to swiftly remove tariffs on US whiskies.

A new law in Russia ordering French champagne to be labelled sparkling wine has caused unrest among producers.

South American wine producer VSPT Wine Group posted a 27.6% sales increase during the first quarter of 2021 in spite of poor exchange rates.

California is the latest major wine-producing region to struggle with Mother Nature after a drought emergency gripped the Golden State.

US wine imported into the UK could become one of several American products to be levied with new tariffs as part of the ongoing trade war.

Pernod Ricard says its New Zealand wine brands Brancott Estate and Stoneleigh will be unable to meet global Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc supply this year after one of the smallest New Zealand harvests in 10 years.

Heineken is in talks with South African wine and spirits producer Distell about acquiring “the majority” of its business.

A bottle of Pétrus 2000, which has spent 14 months aboard the International Space Station, is to be offered for sale by Christie’s.

Henkell Freixenet has reported that net sales decreased by 7.4% year-on-year in 2020 after the Covid-19 pandemic caused bars and restaurants to close for several months.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits has reported a net loss of €38.4 million for 2020.

Melissa Draycott will take over from Martin Skelton as managing director of Gonzalez Byass UK in September.

Oscar Oliveras has won the prestigious Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year award for this image of Semillon grapes being gathered in Saussignac, France.

We caught up with Katie Souter of Vin-X to learn more about why fine wine could make an appealing investment opportunity during the current economic climate.

Freixenet Copestick has expanded its portfolio by signing an exclusive distribution partnership with Chilean producer The Garage Wine Co.

While New Zealand has managed the pandemic better than most, a lack of tourism and difficulties with shipping have taken a toll on wine sales. Martin Green reports.

Leading Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo is expanding into Spain by launching a Tempranillo from Cariñena.

Campo Viejo has announced the launch of Winemaker’s Blend, a new blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Bobal.

The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands 2021 will be revealed in a countdown on YouTube from 6pm GMT on April 1.

Terlato Wine Group has announced an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with Champagne Lanson to become effective April 1, 2021.

Wine research and content company Liquid Icons has launched The Golden Vines Awards and fundraising event that will support diversity and inclusion-related wine education funding globally.

UK importer Kingsland Drinks is championing alternative grape varieties that have the potential to drive excitement and experimentation among consumers.

The Golden Vines Awards will celebrate the star performers in the fine wine industry when the inaugural ceremony takes place in London on October 7.

More than 31 million bottles of the I Heart wine brand were sold in 2020 after it enjoyed significant growth in several international markets.

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La'Mel Clarke

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La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.

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