News

3rd May 2016

Conviviality Plc acquires Bibendum PLB

Press Release - Tuesday 3 May 2016 It has been announced that Conviviality Plc is acquiring Bibendum PLB. Conviviality is the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler and distributor; it is a successful public company and enjoys the support of a strong institutional investor base. Conviviality has grown through careful acquisition of complementary businesses to strengthen its drinks capability and wholesale business. Bibendum PLB was formed in 2014 when Bibendum Wine Ltd merged with the PLB Group. It has five distinct trading companies each focused on a different market sector: Bibendum...

25th April 2016

in Events, Out and About, Producer Stories

by Jessica Broadbent

NEW ZEALAND REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT

London Wine Fair is always a great opportunity to discover new things. And with this in mind, we’re excited to be showing wines from lesser-known regions of New Zealand. Martinborough is situated at the southern tip of the North Island, and is the most southerly sub-region of Wairarapa. It is just across the water from Marlborough, which lies on the northern coast of the South Island, but the two places couldn’t be more different. Marlborough is categorised by its pulsating day and night temperatures with hot,...

Walker and Wodehouse gins for London Wine Fair

25th April 2016

in Uncategorised

by Jessica Broadbent

Gin time with Walker & Wodehouse

Sales of premium gin have increased fivefold since 2010 and see no signs of slowing down. With consumers increasingly on the look-out for non-commercial styles, we’ve put together a collection of artisanal gins from some of the most interesting craft distilleries in the country. Come and join us between 4pm and 6pm on 3rd and 4th May for ‘Gin Time’, when we’ll be showcasing Rock Rose, Jensen’s London Dry and Old Tom. Take a look at our craft gin selection which we’ll be showcasing at London Wine...

25th April 2016

in Events, Out and About

by Jessica Broadbent

Fine wine preview at London Wine Fair

If you’re coming to this year’s London Wine Fair, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on our fine wine preview. We’ve selected a variety of wines from some of the world’s most expressive terroirs, crafted by producers at the forefront of great modern winemaking. Here are some of the wines you’ll be able try. La Follette - North Coast Chardonnay 2013 California Greg La Follette is one of California’s most accomplished winemakers, with a vision that “science, when coupled with passion, can produce extraordinary art”. He works closely with carefully-selected...

14th April 2016

in Events

by Jessica Broadbent

New and exclusive at London Wine Fair

The London Wine Fair is just around the corner and we’re really looking forward to being at this highlight of the London wine trade calendar. It’s a great chance to catch up with our customers, find out what trends are on the horizon and share the wines we love. We’re particularly excited about showing the Walker & Wodehouse Essential Wines range. These are great value wines from the best wine-producing countries around the world. And they all retail at under £10 on the shelf. They are...

13th April 2016

in Producer Stories, Promotions

by Jessica Broadbent

A partnership based on passion

Biecher & Schaal is a partnership built on a passion for Grand Cru Alsace. Created in 2011, it is a joint venture between Olivier Biecher, whose family have been making wine in the region since 1776, and Julien Schaal, a seasoned winemaker who has trained among the best in Burgundy, Rhone, South Africa and, of course, Alsace. Both have other interests – Olivier owns his eponymous negociant, while Julien produces wine under his own name and works with the Newton Johnson brothers in Hemel en Aarde,...

12th April 2016

in Market trends, Producer Stories

by Jessica Broadbent

Pale and intriguing – Provencal rosé at its best

British drinkers are increasingly on the look-out for subtlety and elegance when it comes to rosé. While Off Trade sales of the category as a whole have fallen by 4% in the last year, those of more premium rosés from Provence have grown by 22%. Consumers are casting aside bright, fruity styles in favour of something paler, drier and more premium. One such producer is Chateau Léoube. Relatively new on the scene, it has nonetheless been wowing critics with its beautiful wines – including recognition at...

17th March 2016

in Promotions

by Elona Hesseling

Spring 2016 Promotions

It’s starting to look (and feel) a lot like spring, as daffodils create swathes of colour in the parks and the clocks are set to tick forward at the end of the month. With the temperatures rising, we’re excited by the prospect of drinking wines with a little more freshness and acidity. Wines with energy… vivacious wines! With this in mind we’ve put together a great selection of spring offers. Think bright and zesty Torrontes from Salta in Argentina, citrus-laced Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige and a...

17th March 2016

in Producer Stories, Promotions

by Elona Hesseling

Celebrating a Centenary

Family is what it’s all about at Babich Wines, who is celebrating 100 years of family winemaking this year. As a significant player in the New Zealand wine industry, their wine portfolio includes estates across Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough. Josip Babich made the journey from Dalmatia, now Croatia, aged 14 in 1910 to join his brothers near Auckland. A few years later, at the tender age of 20, he was bottling his first wine under the Babich Brothers label. A founding father of New Zealand wine,...

16th March 2016

in Market trends, News

by Elona Hesseling

Vinonomics – UK Wine Pricing Uncovered

The more you pay, the better wine you get. This might sound obvious enough, but considering the cost of packaging, logistics, VAT, total margins and the recently increased cost of excise duty, you get considerably more bang for your buck with premium products. With today’s budget announcement, excise duty on wine will increase by 3p to £2.08 per 75cl bottle. Considering the average retail price of £5.39 per bottle of wine in the UK, only 68p pays for the wine itself. This is considerably less than the £2.83...