It is with deep regret that the Symington family announces the death of Ian Symington, a leading figure in the Port trade for nearly 50 years.

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust marked its 50th anniversary this week with the first ever global WSET Wine Education Week.

English Sparkling Wine brand Black Chalk has secured investment from two new backers alongside additional investment from the current directors and an EU fund.

The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced eight new masters of wine, from five countries.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced that New Zealand Winegrowers, has become a bronze corporate patron.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the largest global provider of wine and spirits qualifications, has reported its highest ever annual candidate figures for the last academic year.

US investment firm Fortress has confirmed the planned purchase of the UK wine retailer Majestic Wine including the company’s stores, website, headquarters, on-trade and French divisions.

The Symington family has announced that their business has become a B Corp based on its social and environmental performance and ethical business practices.

Veuve Clicquot has announced that Didier Mariotti, former G.H. Mumm head winemaker who left the Pernod Ricard house in September last year, has been lined up to take over from Dominique Demarville.

Veuve Clicquot has appointed Didier Mariotti as its new cellar master, effective from August 26.

South African drinks giant, KWV, has unveiled what is probably the Rainbow Nation’s first wine made from what is regarded as a Chilean grape variety, Carménère.

The new Escudo Rojo range launched by Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chile at Vinexpo Bordeaux earlier this year has targeted more specific Chilean terroir, according to managing director Emmanuel Riffaud.

Bottega Spa owner Sandro Bottega believes that prosecco is set to enter a new era of premiumisation.

The Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte (CV-CNF) has announced the acquisition of champagne house Henri Abelé, which has been part of the Freixenet Group since 1985.

The sale of Majestic Wines is at an “advanced stage” and is expected to be completed over the summer months.

Champagne Taittinger has announced that two years after the first plantings at Domaine Evremond’s vineyard site in Kent, a further 8.5 hectares of vines were planted last month.

The organisers of the London Wine Fair have expressed surprise at the attendance figures for the 39th edition of the show held earlier this week.

Distell has announced Andrea Freeborough as head winemaker having been promoted from the role of cellar master at Paarl winery.

The Santa Rita 120 Arsenal Experience took place at the Emirates Stadium on Friday 10 May to celebrate a “key element” of the brand’s global marketing strategy.

The historic Nederburg Auction is to become the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction and with it comes changes in location, selection and format.

Bordeaux Wine Festival Liverpool is set to host its second edition this May with a new Bordeaux sommelier competition.

The Côtes du Rhône appellation has re-shaped its marketing strategy with the intention to create a consistent and memorable global message that will maintain its international reputation.

This May the wine division of Carlsberg UK, Crown Cellars, will launch its 2019/20 portfolio of more than 500 wines.

Grupo Peñaflor, Argentina’s leading wine producer and exporter, broke its bottled wine exports record in 2018 reaching 68m bottles, equalling 51m liters for a total value of US$174m.

New research from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis shows a rapid increase in organic wine in the coming years as consumer sentiment for sustainability and organic products grows.

The Symington family has announced 2017 as a vintage port year, making this the first ever back-to-back general declaration in th winemaker's history.

US wine exports reached $1.47bn in winery revenues and 375m liters (41.7 million cases) in 2018, with more than 90% coming from California.

WineGB has announced that David Parkinson will be stepping down from the role of CEO due to health reasons.

Denbies Wine Estate, England’s largest single estate vineyard, is predicted to quadruple its production by the end of the calendar year.

New Zealand Wine Growers has announced that its Pinot Noir NZ 2021 three-day celebration is to be held, or the first time. in Christchurch, on South Island.

French wine giant, the Union des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône, the most dominant wine producer in the Rhône Valley, is rejuvenating and expanding its Cellier des Dauphins brand.

The Marqués de Cáceres Group has opened Bodegas Finca La Capilla, a winery in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain as part of its international production and distribution strategy.

IWSR Drinks Market Analysis has revealed that global wine consumption is expected to grow by 37.8m cases by 2022 despite a “blip” in Chinese imports.

Vinexpo has announced that it will have appointed a new CEO before its flagship Bordeaux show takes place on its new date in May. 

Australian wine producer Penfolds has risen two places to be named The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2019.

Chris Foss, founder and manager of Plumpton Wine Division, will retire at the end of this academic year after 31 years of service with the college.

In January, the judges assembled in West London to judge this year’s Drinks Marketing & Wine Design Awards. Here are the results.

Publisher Mitchell Beazley has announced that the Eighth Edition of The World Atlas of Wine, will be published in October. price: £45.

Latest figures from the UK wine industry revealed a record-breaking harvest for 2018 and a 50% increase in sales both domestic and international, with more land under vine than ever before.

Wine asset manager Cult Wines has appointed Olivier Staub investment director based in the company’s head office in London.

Familia Torres and Jackson Family Wines have announced intentions to create a working group of global wineries to reduce CO2 emissions.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the largest global provider of wine and spirits qualifications, has announced that it will be running a ‘roadshow’ for the Level 4 Diploma in Wines across key markets before the new qualification goes live on 1 August 2019.

James Hocking, who was until recently wine director at The Vineyard Cellars, has set up a new Californian-focused wine agency.

The Institute of Masters of Wine has announced six new masters of wine, from six countries.

The latest Nielsen sales figures show that the combined growth of Chile (+4.1%) and Argentina (+11.2%) have seen South America overtake Italy in value sales of still wine.

Champagne Palmer & Co has unveiled its new winery located close to the House’s Grand and Premier Crus vineyards in the Montagne de Reims.

The harvests of major world producers will be represented during the first bulk wine fair in Asia. 

Barefoot wine brand is preparing for continued success in the UK wine market with double-digit growth predicted for 2019.

The International Wine Challenge China (IWC China) – the newly-launched sibling to the International Wine Challenge competition– is now open for entries.

Crédit Agricole has decided to sell Bordeaux estates Château Blaignan (Médoc) and Château La Tour de Mons (Margaux) to focus on three others.