Wine – Page 3 – Keep It Overproof!

Optimism as UK on-trade closures slow down

There were optimistic signs on the high street as the closure of UK pubs, restaurants and bars slowed to their lowest year-on-year rate in two years, a new report has said – with managed restaurants showed to be in growth. (Photo: iStock) The Market Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners, which monitors news opening and closures in the out-of-home sectors, said closure in the sector had fallen by 1.8% in the 12 months to December, the slowest pace of since March 2018. However there had still be the equivalent of around six sites closing a day in the last 12 months,...

The 10 most powerful wine brands in the world 2020

Market analyst Wine Intelligence has released a report detailing the most influential wine brands in the world. The Global Wine Power Index 2020 looks at the performance of dozens of brands in 20 key markets, such as the UK, US, Japan, Australia, China and the Netherlands, posing survey questions to a little over 22,000 people worldwide The survey explored a number of factors to estimate a brand’s influence with consumers, such as their awareness of the brand, how often it was purchased, how much ‘affinity’ consumers felt they had with the wine (i.e., whether it felt “right...

International Women’s Day: How the drinks industry is supporting women in 2020

Posted in Beer, Spirits, Wine.

With International Women’s Day right around the corner, brands are racing to launch initiatives that empower women in the workplace. In recent years, the day, which has been celebrated for well over a century, became an excuse for businesses to offer promotions and boost their sales, while winning over consumers. Brewdog faced heavy backlash after launching an ironic “Punk for Girls” IPA in 2018 and offering discounts at its on-trade sites, despite also donating proceeds of the sales to support women in STEM research. It’s no longer enough to offer women a discount...

How coronavirus is disrupting drinks sector’s trade shows

As tastings and trade shows worldwide have been scrapped or pushed back to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, we’re keeping tabs on the latest news from the drinks industry. UPDATE: On Thursday (5 March), Messe Düsseldorf, the organiser of trade show ProWein, has revealed that the show will not take place this year. The group plan to host ProWein as scheduled in 2021. On Tuesday (3 March), London’s wine trade had its first casualty. The RAW Wine Show, which was due to take place this weekend, has been postponed. Founder Isabelle Legeron MW said: “With so many producers...

First Marselan harvested in South Africa

South African producer Waverley Hills has harvested its – and South Africa’s – first crop of Marselan. The estate started the project in 2009, importing its first Marselan plants which, after a one-year quarantine, were propagated by Vitiec, the vine nursery in Paarl. After several years of experimental plantings, the first commercially viable vineyard was planted in 2016. The first crop was harvested on 26 February this year and the first wine will be released in 2021. Marselan is one of the more successful crossings of modern times. It was bred in 1961 by professor Paul...

ProWein 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus

Messe Düsseldorf, the organiser of trade show ProWein, has revealed that the event will not take place this year, but will run as scheduled in 2021. The organiser announced at the end of last month that the show, the largest in the wine trade show calendar, was to be postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, and that new dates would be announced. However, has now been advised that the trade show will not take place this year. The show will instead take place in 2021 from Sunday 21 March to Tuesday 23 March. Erhard Wienkamp, managing director at Messe Düsseldorf, commented: “We...

Entering the U.S. Market with a New Alcohol Brand

While the final numbers are not in, alcohol sales in the U.S. are expected to hit $166.4 billion for 2019. This makes the U.S. a lucrative market, but also a competitive one. There is an endless list of companies looking to secure their share of the market, but without a unique product and excellent promotion efforts, it is all too easy to get lost in the shuffle. Use these tips to develop a strategy that will help your new beverage alcohol brand successfully enter and take hold in a crowded industry. Understand the market landscape One key to successfully introducing a new brand...

db Eats: Wilder

db’s resident hedonist, Lucy Shaw, heads to exciting newcomer Wilder in Shoreditch for pig’s head on toast, pollock with trotter relish and a beguiling young Burgundy. The concept: While every modern British restaurant worth its Maldon salt claims to adhere to a local ethos, Wilder practices what it preaches. Opening last October within the bowels of Boundary – a former Victorian warehouse in Shoreditch owned by Sir Terence Conran boasting an all-day café and rooftop restaurant – Wilder is the dream of head chef Richard McLellan, and is named after his successful...

Portman Group under fire after upholding complaints against beers

UK drinks regulator the Portman Group has upheld complaints against three breweries, leading to criticism from the industry that it has caused “significant damage” to breweries with “good ethics”. The Portman Group recently issued rulings on products made by Bristol’s Lost and Grounded, Warwickshire’s Purity Brewing and United Dutch Breweries. However, its rulings have faced criticism from the likes of beer group Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). James Calder, chief executive of SIBA, stressed the importance of self-regulation, but said...

How coronavirus is disrupting the global drinks industry

As tastings and trade shows worldwide have been scrapped or pushed back to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, we’re keeping tabs on the latest news from the drinks industry. On Tuesday, London’s wine trade had its first casualty. The RAW Wine Show, which was due to take place this weekend, has been postponed. Founder Isabelle Legeron MW said: “With so many producers flying in from all over the world this seems like the right decision for such a large gathering of people and such an international event.” At the same time, the bi-annual Grands Jours de Bourgogne tasting,...

Category: Wine