The Drinks Business

‘No flutes in the building’: why sommeliers are snubbing Champagne’s most iconic glass Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger insists Champagne is “above a wine” and should always be served in a flute – yet sommeliers speaking to the drinks business say the iconic shape may no longer suit the way w...

Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger insists Champagne is “above a wine” and should always be served in a flute – yet sommeliers speaking to the drinks business say the iconic shape may no longer suit the way we drink fizz today.

Greene King makes a £42 million investment into its estate Pub company and brewer Greene King has invested almost £42 million into 130 of its pubs and restaurants in the first six months of the year.

Pub company and brewer Greene King has invested almost £42 million into 130 of its pubs and restaurants in the first six months of the year.

Virgin Wines revenues remain stable as it 'builds momentum' Virgin Wines saw flat revenues in the 12 months to 30 June 2025 and although profit before tax and EBITDA were down slightly, these remained ahead of expectations it said, despite the subdued consumer...

Virgin Wines saw flat revenues in the 12 months to 30 June 2025 and although profit before tax and EBITDA were down slightly, these remained ahead of expectations, it said.

Greene King makes a £42 million investment into its estate Pub company and brewer Greene King has invested almost £42 million into 130 of its pubs and restaurants in the first six months of the year.

Pub company and brewer Greene King has invested almost £42 million into 130 of its pubs and restaurants in the first six months of the year.

Martin Glenn to step down as Chapel Down chair There’s been a shakeup in the Chapel Down C-suite, as England’s largest winemaker gears up for future growth, with net sales climbing by 11%.

There’s been a shake-up in the Chapel Down C-suite, as England’s largest winemaker gears up for future growth, with net sales climbing by 11% in H1 2025.

Is there a difference between non-vintage and multi-vintage Champagne? Vintage Champagne is an expression of a single harvest, but when it comes to blending wines from different years, some producers use the term non-vintage, others multi-vintage. So, is there a differen...

Vintage Champagne is an expression of a single harvest, but when it comes to blending wines from different years, some producers use the term non-vintage, others multi-vintage. So, is there a difference?

Australian wine exports surge on China rebound, but global outlook mixed Australian wine exports rose by 13% in value to AU$2.48 billion and 3% in volume to 639 million litres in the year to June 2025.

Australian wine exports are on the rise in value and volume in the year to June 2025, according to Wine Australia’s latest export report. However, analysts point out exports are still significantly down on pre-Covid levels, given the sector’s previous all-time lows in recent years.

Industry slams ‘hospitality zones’ plan calling it ‘tokenistic’ The hospitality industry has vocalised its collective dismay in response to the government's newest intiative on how to save the sector.

The hospitality industry has vocalised its collective dismay in response to the government’s newest initiative on how to save the sector.

What the US-EU trade deal means for drinks firms EU wine and spirits exports "must be protected", say trade officials waiting to see whether their products will be exempted from US tariffs.

EU wine and spirits exports to the US “must be protected, not undermined”, say trade officials waiting to learn whether alcoholic beverages will be exempted from the 15% tariff set by President Trump on Sunday.

Tuk-tuk thief admits £24,000 wine heist in London A pedicab driver has pleaded guilty to stealing fine wine worth £24,000 from a London restaurant. The unusual theft involved transporting the wine in a wheelie bin attached to his tuk-tuk.

A pedicab driver has pleaded guilty to stealing fine wine worth £24,000 from a London restaurant. The unusual theft involved transporting the wine in a wheelie bin attached to his tuk-tuk.

Scotch wins big in UK-India trade deal as tariffs halved The UK and India have signed a landmark free trade agreement that will cut whisky tariffs from 150% to 40% over the next decade.

The UK and India have signed a landmark free trade agreement that will cut whisky tariffs from 150% to 40% over the next decade, in a move celebrated by leading Scotch producers.

All the medallists from the The Global Sangiovese Masters 2025 With a remarkably high number of Gold and Master medals awarded this year, Sangiovese's brilliance is beyond doubt, reports Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

With a remarkably high number of Gold and Master medals awarded this year, Sangiovese’s brilliance is beyond doubt, reports Patricia Stefanowicz MW.

Nightclubs need 'more protection', says NTIA CEO Night-time operators are “hugely worried,” said Night Time Industries Association’s CEO Michael Kill, with world-renowned Bristol nightclub Motion the latest to shut its doors for good.

Night-time operators are “hugely worried,” said Night Time Industries Association’s CEO Michael Kill, with world-renowned Bristol nightclub Motion the latest to shut its doors for good.

Three jailed for human trafficking after workers 'treated like slaves' in Champagne "You don't play with the health and safety of seasonal workers. Nor are we playing with the image of our appellation," warns the Comité Champagne after a landmark ruling saw jail time doled out and a ...

“You don’t play with the health and safety of seasonal workers. Nor are we playing with the image of our appellation,” warns the Comité Champagne after a landmark ruling saw jail time doled out and a winemaking co-operative fined €75,000.

Sonoma County considers wine tax to fund marketing moves A proposed Wine Improvement District in Sonoma County could see a small self-imposed tax on direct-to-consumer wine sales.

A proposed Wine Improvement District in Sonoma County could see a small self-imposed tax on direct-to-consumer wine sales, aimed at funding marketing efforts to “re-engage” Gen Z and Millennial drinkers.

Ireland delays alcohol warning labels until 2028 The controversial health warning labels on alcoholic drinks in Ireland have been postponed for two years. While the move has been welcomed by wine and drinks producers, public health advocates have co...

The controversial health warning labels on alcoholic drinks in Ireland have been postponed for two years. While the move has been welcomed by wine and drinks producers, public health advocates have condemned the decision, calling it a setback for consumer information.

Champagne restricts yields to lowest level since Covid Champagne sets yields at the lowest level since 2020, when the first Covid-related lockdowns led to a sharp decline in sales.

The region of Champagne has just announced the yield limit for this year’s harvest, setting it at the lowest level this century, aside from 2020, when the first Covid-related lockdowns led to a sharp decline in sales.

BrewDog to axe 10 bars ‘within days’ The move has come under fire from trade unions, with Unite Hospitality claiming staff at some sites were given "just three days" notice.

The move has come under fire from trade unions, with Unite Hospitality claiming staff at some sites were given “just three days” notice.

Quantum Limit has filed a lawsuit against Okell Holdings for planting redwood trees, which Quantum’s owner says is like “dropping a bunker buster bomb” into its Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. Sarah Neish investigates.

Champagne exports are slowly climbing Champagne shipments, particularly exports to markets outside Europe, are showing some slight signs of recovery after a weak start to the year, reports Giles Fallowfield.

Champagne shipments, particularly exports to markets outside Europe, are showing some slight signs of recovery after a weak start to the year, reports Giles Fallowfield.

What will happen to the Truman Brewery? The future of London’s historic Truman Brewery will be decided by Tower Hamlets Council next week. But its fate is being fought by locals.

The future of London’s historic Truman Brewery will be decided by Tower Hamlets Council next week. But its fate is being fought by locals.

UK pub market strong despite cost squeeze Independent operators are driving innovation in the UK hospitality sector, as pubs and restaurants continue to attract investment despite inflation, staffing shortages and sky-high energy costs, accor...

Independent operators are driving innovation in the UK hospitality sector, as pubs and restaurants continue to attract investment despite inflation, staffing shortages and sky-high energy costs, according to a new market review by Christie & Co.

How unlikely sources of Pinot Noir are soaring in price Some of the most unlikely sources of Pinot Noir in France were the top performers at online wine auctions held during 2024.

In an interview with Idealwine co-founder Angélique de Lencquesaing last month, db learnt how some of the most unlikely sources of Pinot Noir in France were the top performers at online auctions held during 2024.

Australian Vintage ends Millewa lease to cut red wine glut Australian Vintage has cancelled its lease on Victoria's Millewa Vineyard as part of a wider strategy to reduce red wine inventories and address ongoing oversupply issues. The move is expected to deli...

Australian Vintage has cancelled its lease on Victoria’s Millewa Vineyard as part of a wider strategy to reduce red wine inventories and address ongoing oversupply issues. The move is expected to deliver financial flexibility and long-term cost benefits.

How heatwaves to hailstorms are threatening the world’s finest wines Heat, drought, frost and hail are threatening the world’s finest wines – but Burgundy's biodynamic Maison Joseph Drouhin is employing measures to mitigate the threats.

It was during a visit to Burgundy’s biodynamic Maison Joseph Drouhin earlier this month that db learnt how heat, drought, frost and hail are threatening the world’s finest wines – and what can be done to mitigate the threats.

One in four Irish pubs shut since 2005 A new report reveals that a quarter of Irish pubs have been forced to close their doors in the last 20 years, with Limerick hardest hit and a further 1,000 pubs at risk "without government interventio...

A new report reveals that a quarter of Irish pubs have been forced to close their doors in the last 20 years, with Limerick hardest hit and a further 1,000 pubs at risk “without government intervention.”

Family of Napa chef sues after 'hostile takeover' of his restaurants The estate of the late Michael Chiarello, who owned popular Napa Valley restaurant Bottega, has filed a lawsuit claiming assets have been illegally snatched from his legacy by former friends and inves...

The estate of the late Michael Chiarello, who owned popular Napa Valley restaurant Bottega, has filed a lawsuit claiming assets have been illegally snatched from his legacy by former friends and investors.

Why the wine trade should talk up its entry-level offering With older, high-spending, wine-loving consumers leaving the market, Patrick Schmitt MW wonders whether the trade should put more emphasis on inexpensive wines for a less affluent, younger generation.

With older, high-spending, wine-loving consumers leaving the market, Patrick Schmitt MW wonders whether the drinks trade should put more emphasis on inexpensive wines for a less affluent, younger generation.

Diageo CEO departs ahead of annual results Diageo has parted ways with chief executive Debra Crew just three weeks ahead of its annual results. Chief financial officer Nik Jhangiani steps in as interim CEO amid mounting pressure to revive perf...

Diageo has parted ways with chief executive Debra Crew just three weeks ahead of its annual results. Chief financial officer Nik Jhangiani steps in as interim CEO amid mounting pressure to revive performance and cut debt.

Vinum Fine Wines results suggest better days are coming However, while the merchant’s turnover shot up by 15% between June and July this year, Vinum's fine wine consultant Miles Davis says ‘it’s too early to call it a bigger turnaround".

While the merchant’s turnover shot up by 15% between June and July this year, Vinum’s fine wine consultant Miles Davis says “it’s too early to call it a bigger turnaround”.