Komerz, the owner of Great Wines Direct, has joined the race to acquire Majestic Wine Group, competing with Tesco PLC. Following last…
Komerz, the owner of Great Wines Direct, has joined the race to acquire Majestic Wine Group, competing with Tesco PLC. Following last…
Carlsberg is to close the historic Marston’s Brewery in Burton upon Trent, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The brewery has been operating for more than 190 years, and is a major feature of the UK town, employing around 300 people. The closure is expected to take place in summer 2027. The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has warned the move would…
Following an initial forecast that the French wine harvest would be the smallest in 30 years, a revised estimate now suggests it could be the lowest in a century. According to the latest forecast, extreme heat and drought this summer mean that France’s wine output will likely be around 34.9 million hectolitres. This revised estimate is down 2% compared to last…
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…
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. …
Liberty Wines has added two Southern Italian producers to its portfolio: Quintodecimo and Bella-Colonna. The project of Professor Luigi Moio, Quintodecimo is based in Campania within the Taurasi denomination. The estate spans 40 hectares and sits at 460 metres’ elevation, with grapes planted on clay and volcanic soil. Best known for his work with indigenous varieties, Moio is considered one of…
