The Equal Members Education & Mentorship Programme has now opened for entries.  The programme is organised by Equal Measures UK, the leading non-profit driving intersectional inclusion in the drinks and hospitality industry.  This year, it is also supported by the WSET and the Gérard Basset Foundation, through which the programme offers fully funded WSET courses at Levels 1, 2, and…

Diversity non-profit organisation Curious Vines has announced a partnership with wine education charity Académie du Vin Foundation.  Supporting Curious Vines’ mission to expand wine education beyond the M25, the foundation has provided funding to implement wine education classes in the north of England and beyond.  The move follows the first phase of the initiative, launched last year, which saw the creation of…

Aidy Smith, known for his role in Amazon Prime series The Three Drinkers, is a familiar name to the trade and consumers. Outside of TV, he champions neurodiversity in the workplace and here talks about his experience in the drinks world as someone with ADHD 1. I felt held back from being able to open certain doorsOn one hand, being someone…

Diversity initiative Curious Vines has released a list of its supporters for 2025.   Launched by Queena Wong, Curious Vines supports gender diversity within the wine trade.  The initiative aims to protect, retain and uplift women and non-binary people in the wine trade by providing community and support.   It reaches these goals with assistance from drinks…

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has announced that it will be running its third inclusivity in wine WSET course.   In collaboration with the WSET, Hallgarten will be offering 12 free places to study and sit the WSET Level 2 qualification, led by wine trainer and educator Kristina Whitney.  The places are reserved for individuals working in hospitality from “diverse backgrounds”, the description of…

Drinks educators and influencers The Three Drinkers have launched an inclusivity mentorship and incubator programme, called Drinklusive. Founded by The Three Drinkers managing director Aidy Smith, the scheme aims to help aspiring writers and content creators from diverse communities. Smith said six mentees will be onboarded across LGBTQIA+, ethnic minority and disability diversity communities with socio-economic status considered. Each programme will take…

From aperitivo moments to barbecues, cocktail hour and after dinner drams, there’s a world of drinking occasions for retailers to get behind, finds Jaq Bayles The festive season may have the edge when it comes to intensity of drinking occasions, but in terms of longevity and diversity, the opportunities of summer stretch out like an endless golden coastline for producers, retailers and consumers alike. …