The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called on the government to scrap duty hikes and “avoid prohibitive price rises, which will further fuel inflation”. With a month to go until new duty measures come into force, the WSTA said there is still time to scrap duty hikes. WSTA chief executive Miles Beale said: “We are careering towards an extremely tough period for wine and…

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has appointed Majestic’s chief operating officer, Rob Cooke, to its board. The trade organisation welcomed Cooke’s experience at what it called an “important time for the wine industry”, with issues such as DRS and duty changes on the agenda. Cooke sits on the Majestic executive team and oversees the wine retailer’s ecommerce, buying and marketing functions, as well…

The Office for National Statistics has removed “spirit-based drinks” from its basket of goods and services, as it looks to reflect consumer spending patterns to calculate the rising cost of living. In 2023, 26 items were added to the basket, while 16 have been removed. The total number of items in the basket is 743. Removals include spirit-based drinks, digital compact cameras and non-chart CD…

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is on the lookout for new board members, as it seeks to diversify the line-up. The WSTA is recruiting four new members, “chosen for their different business expertise and perspectives”. The WSTA, which is a not for profit organisation, said it wants “fresh thinking volunteers”, to apply to join the board for a two-year term. New members will…

Three UK-based Aquavit producers have collaborated to raise the profile of the Scandinavian spirit among UK consumers.  Orkney Spirits Limited, Psychopomp Microdistillery and Silver Circle Distillery, which are “the first Scottish, English and Welsh producers of Aquavit”, have produced an Aquavit tasting box containing their three individual spirits.  Retailing under the name ‘British Aquavit’, the box is available online at all three distilleries’ ecommerce…

Around three quarters of Conservative members support a freeze or cut on wine tax, according to YouGov research shared by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).  Announced as part of the Autumn Budget, the proposed tax changes would tax all alcohol by degree. All still wine over 11.5% abv would see a duty increase, and the WSTA estimates that “95% of the…

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery has released more details of its move into malt whisky, including a consumer club to allow enthusiasts to follow the evolution of the spirit from cask to glass. Drinks Retailing reported the distiller’s whisky plans in May and it has now revealed that the name of the brand will be One Point Six. The first casks will be…