Gusbourne has described its 2026 harvest as an exceptional year and a “big personality” vintage, following an unusually early picking season.  Picking began on 26 August and finished on 18 September, two weeks earlier than in 2025, with the warm summer requiring close attention to sugar and acidity levels.  Head vineyard manager Jon Pollard said Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier were particularly…

ProWein has rebranded its alcohol-free area as ProWein Zero+, expanding its focus on the growing alcohol-free drinks category.  The trade fair said the addition of the plus sign reflects a broader approach to a category that is becoming increasingly diverse.  At the March trade fair, the area will bring together tastings, education, expert insight and discussions on the future of alcohol-free…

Parfetts, the employee-owned wholesaler, has expanded into Carlisle with its off-license fascia, The Local.  Opening four new off-licenses located on Old Raffles Parade, Denton Holme, Harraby and Furze Street, the deal was made with independent retailer Mark Duckworth.  The move sees all four shops transform from their previous Bargain Booze fascias, under which they had traded for 20 years.  Now,…

Grey Goose has launched its Berry Rouge flavoured vodka in the UK, in a move brand owner Bacardí described as the vodka brand’s biggest flavour launch in more than a decade. The company said Berry Rouge had already performed strongly after being introduced in France, the US and global travel retail. Bacardí said Berry Rouge was the biggest launch for Grey Goose…

Non-alcoholic aperitivo Botivo has reported 400% year-on-year growth in the retail sector, 22 times faster than the wider non-alcoholic spirits category.  By the end of 2026, Botivo said it expects to have more than 1,000 stocking points across four leading supermarkets.  It added that its can distribution is set to increase 4.6-fold over the same period, with the growth prompting the…

Brewdog has launched a national campaign urging beer drinkers in the UK to “choose craft”. The latest campaign comes just two weeks after new owner Tilray put ads on the London Underground aimed at distancing itself from the controversies the Scottish brewer faced under its previous owners. The Chose Craft activity includes murals in prominent locations in Edinburgh and Manchester, supplemented by…

Yorkshire Heart, located near York, has introduced around 100 Merlot vines, as warmer conditions are making it possible to experiment with varieties traditionally suited to warmer climates.  Typically planted in warm-weather climates such as Bordeaux in south-west France, Merlot plantings remain scarce in the UK.  Tim Spakouskas, owner of Yorkshire Heart, however, said he is open to expanding its Merlot plantings. …

Wine merchant Flint Wines has expanded its trade sales team by eight people since January 2026, more than doubling its size to 15.  According to Flint, the appointments support its plans to open new accounts in the UK market.  It continued that over 50% of Flint’s team is now made up of trade salespeople, allowing the company to operate more smoothly. …

The Hardys Australian wine brand is to receive what brand owner Vinarchy calls its “biggest investment in years”, in a campaign that breaks in the UK next month. It says the aim is to regain the number one position in the UK wine market, which it has lost to Yellow Tail in recent years. The brand will also see a “radical portfolio…

Drinks Retailing builds up to Christmas in the latest issue, looking at the trends that will shape the weeks ahead and the trade’s expectations for the biggest trading period of the year. The new edition also takes a look at how the increase in heatwaves will impact what and how UK consumers drink (5). Bill Power of DRS International explains how retailers…