Gin’s decline in recent years has been a bit of a mystery, given its membership of the all-conquering royal family of white spirits. Vodka is king, tequila the young and brash pretender, and gin – well, it’s the dotty old aunt, tiara askew, talking to herself in the corner. But that’s changing, thanks to the growth of premium gin. Established brands such as Tanqueray and…

The Kent brewer’s sales and marketing director said the company does not allow its products to be sold below cost by retailers because it would damage the brand in the long run. Craig said: “Yes, we have to add value to the consumer, but I do think there are more ways we can add value than just discounting case deals. The consumer is demanding more…

Over the past five years, sales of rosé wines in the UK have grown exponentially. So much so, in fact, that most major retailers no longer relegate pink wine to a seasonal summer listing but stock it year-round. This, in turn, is made easier by the fact that rosés , which depend on freshness and youth for much of their appeal , can now be…

It’s no secret that rosé is the one sector of the wine trade that’s really booming. As red and white sales falter, rosés, blushes and pink sparklers surge ahead. A sunny Easter has kicked off what weather forecasters promise will be a long, hot summer, and pop band The Feeling has even released a single called Rosé. Pink sales – up 27 per cent from…

As last month’s alcohol duty rises kick in, independent retailers are being forced to make tough decisions. Should they absorb the Treasury’s increases to keep key price points, or put up retails and risk losing more trade to multiples? Supermarkets and specialist chains, which can use their buying power to squeeze suppliers, have so far shown no signs of moving prices post-Budget, but independents are…

Despite their much-publicised loss-leading on beer, supermarkets account for only 60 per cent of lager sold in the UK off-trade, and 65 per cent of the total beer market. Wine is a stronger suit – multiple grocers account for 73 per cent of light wine, 77 per cent of fortified wine and 81 per cent of sparkling wine.

Verband Deutscher Prädikats- und Qualitätsweingüter. There’s a titanic, Teutonic tongue-twister! The words almost defy pronunciation, but they form the name of a respected association of Germany’s top wine estates. Membership in the VDP – a much more merciful moniker – comes by invitation only, costs at least €6,000-€8,000 (£4,070-£5,430) a year and demands extremely high standards. As a result, the group totals no more than…