Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 9h

Waitrose has beefed up its own-label range after seeing a 71% uplift in the last three months, and is introducing a new promotional dynamic to help customers who are limiting their alcohol intake or their spending.

Waitrose 'reinvigorates' range with new own-label lines and a fresh promotional dynamic

Waitrose has beefed up its own-label range after seeing a 71% uplift in the last three months, and is introducing a new promotional dynamic to help customers who are limiting their alcohol intake or t...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 9h

Specialist wine retailer Majestic has bolstered its buying team by hiring three new senior buyers as it continues its pre-Christmas recruitment drive.

Majestic revamps buying team

Wine retailer Majestic has bolstered its buying team by hiring three new senior buyers as it continues its pre-Christmas recruitment drive.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 9h

The world’s biggest luxury group has reported encouraging signs of a rebound, with improving trends in Asia helping to lift overall sales. Even as Cognac continues to lag, momentum in other categories is strengthening.

LVMH edges toward recovery as luxury demand picks up in China

The world’s biggest luxury group has reported encouraging signs of a rebound, with improving trends in Asia helping to lift overall sales. Even as Cognac continues to lag, momentum in other categories...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 9h

Spain’s CaixaBank increased its financing of the nation’s wine sector by 2.9% this year, handing out €841 million to Spanish winegrowing companies. But which surprising region received the biggest handout in 2025?

CaixaBank hands out almost €1billion worth of loans to Spanish growers

Spain's CaixaBank increased its financing of the nation's wine sector by 2.9% this year, handing out €841 million to Spanish winegrowing companies. But which surprising region received the biggest han...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 12h

Former chairman of leading Port producer Symington Family Estates, Paul Symington highlights how a quota system in the Douro – the source of Port – coupled with an excess of grapes in the wine region, is creating a crisis situation for producers.

Paul Symington: how a distorted system is creating a crisis in the Douro

Paul Symington highlights how a quota system in the Douro – the source of Port – is creating a crisis situation for producers.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

1

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 1d

Ireland’s plan to place explicit cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks has been pushed back to 2028 following pressure from industry and trade partners. Health experts say the move risks setting back efforts to inform consumers of alcohol’s cancer risks.

What we know about Ireland's delayed cancer warnings for alcohol

Ireland’s plan to place explicit cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks has been pushed back to 2028 following pressure from industry and trade partners. Health experts say the move risks setting back ef...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

1

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 1d

An Italian winemaker died on Friday evening while cleaning out a wine press after the machine briefly turned back on following a “power outage”, with him inside it.

Treviso winemaker crushed to death by wine press

An Italian winemaker died on Friday evening while cleaning out a wine press after the machine briefly turned back on following a "power outage", with him inside it.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 1d

Ireland’s plan to place explicit cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks has been pushed back to 2028 following pressure from industry and trade partners. Health experts say the move risks setting back efforts to inform consumers of alcohol’s cancer risks.

What we know about Ireland's delayed cancer warnings for alcohol

Ireland’s plan to place explicit cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks has been pushed back to 2028 following pressure from industry and trade partners. Health experts say the move risks setting back ef...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 1d

Liverpool FC’s front-of-shirt sponsorship is approaching a pivotal moment, with Standard Chartered’s £50m-per-year deal up for renewal in 2027. As the market shifts towards low and no alcohol branding, Carlsberg may just have the perfect opportunity to return to Anfield’s most visible real estate.

Carlsberg return could turn Liverpool football shirt into a classic

Liverpool FC’s front-of-shirt sponsorship is approaching a pivotal moment, with Standard Chartered’s £50m-per-year deal up for renewal in 2027. As the market shifts towards low and no alcohol branding...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 2d

The drinks industry is “way behind the rest of the e-commerce market” when it comes to technology, according to Virgin Wines’ Danny Cooper. What will happen if it fails to catch up?

Wine retailers that fail to modernise are in for a 'bumpy ride'

The wine industry is "way behind the rest of the e-commerce market" when it comes to technology, according to Virgin Wines' Danny Cooper.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 2d

A new wave of young, urban consumers is reshaping India’s alcohol landscape and wine is the unexpected star. With trade deals and changing tastes accelerating demand, global producers are watching closely. Kathleen Willcox reports.

India's wine market is all it’s cracked up to be

A new wave of young, urban consumers is reshaping India’s alcohol landscape and wine is the unexpected star. With trade deals and changing tastes accelerating demand, global producers are watching clo...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 2d

The Michelin Guide is expanding its empire once again, unveiling plans to launch a global wine-ranking system as part of its latest push beyond restaurants and hotels.

Michelin’s next course: rating the world’s wines

The Michelin Guide is expanding its empire, unveiling plans to launch a global wine-ranking system as part of its latest push.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 2d

Australian distributor Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has withdrawn its earnings guidance for F26, citing weak trends in China and distribution upheaval in California. The announcement comes just days before its annual general meeting.

TWE pulls guidance as China and US markets weigh on outlook

Australian distributor Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has withdrawn its earnings guidance for F26, citing weak trends in China and distribution upheaval in California. The announcement comes just days be...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 5d

A police dog sniffed out stolen mulled wine worth £110k in Yorkshire this week after the perpetrator robbed a sea container containing the popular festive drink.

Mulled wine heist foiled by sniffer dog

A police dog sniffed out stolen mulled wine worth £110k in Yorkshire this week after the perpetrator robbed a sea container containing the popular festive drink.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

1 2

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 5d

Lanson-BCC has finalised its €50m acquisition of Champagne house Heidsieck & Co Monopole, with the deal set to complete on 1 January 2026. The agreement includes the brand’s vintage stock and marks a major shift in the competitive Champagne landscape.

Lanson-BCC seals €50m Heidsieck-Monopole takeover

Lanson-BCC has finalised its €50m acquisition of Champagne house Heidsieck & Co Monopole, with the deal set to complete on 1 January 2026. The agreement includes the brand’s vintage stock and marks a ...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 5d

From predictive analytics to fine wine fintech, industry leaders are harnessing technology to make wine more personal, more accessible, and more relevant to a new generation.

From algorithms to appellations: the rise of AI in wine

From predictive analytics to fine wine fintech, industry leaders are harnessing technology to make wine more personal and accessible.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 5d

Kent producer Simpson’s says the warmer weather this year has led to “riper and fuller flavours” that lend themselves especially well to producing still wines, writes Andrew Neather.

Simpson's to dedicate 60% of its grapes towards English still wines

Kent producer Simpson's says the warmer weather this year has led to "riper and fuller flavours" that lend themselves especially well to producing still wines, writes Andrew Neather.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 5d

At the DB Conference in London, trade leaders argued that the future of wine depends on making the best more accessible, rethinking how value is delivered and adapting to changing consumer expectations. Price, health and storytelling emerged as key themes for how the sector must evolve.

‘The industry has been lazy’: calls for affordability and innovation in wine

At the DB Conference in London, trade leaders argued that the future of wine depends on making the best more accessible, rethinking how value is delivered and adapting to changing consumer expectation...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 6d

Constellation Brands delivered stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, even as beer sales and shipments fell sharply. Cost savings and premium pricing have helped offset volume declines, while the company reaffirms its full-year outlook.

Constellation Brands beats expectations despite beer sales slump

Constellation Brands delivered stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, even as beer sales and shipments fell sharply. Cost savings and premium pricing have helped offset volume declines, while the ...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 6d

Britain’s record-breaking 2025 summer has created an exceptional cider vintage, with apples rich in sugar and flavour but some small producers say their brews are now too strong to sell in pubs.

Long, hot summer leaves cider makers with drinks too strong for pubs

Britain’s record-breaking 2025 summer has delivered a once-in-a-generation cider vintage, rich in sugar and complexity. Yet for small producers, the very ripeness that defines the year’s fruit also ri...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

1

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 6d

James Wellesley pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy after defrauding investors with claims of high-value wine-backed loans.

British man admits to $99 million fake wine loan scam in New York

James Wellesley pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy after defrauding investors with claims of high-value wine-backed loans.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 6d

The Scotch whisky industry has hailed the landmark UK-India trade deal as “transformative”, with tariffs set to be cut and exports to the world’s largest whisky market expected to soar.

Scotch whisky to toast £1bn export boost under UK-India trade deal

The Scotch whisky industry has hailed the landmark UK-India trade deal as “transformative”, with tariffs set to be cut.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 6d

For both nimble, data-driven operations and “unashamedly old school” businesses, there are products and clients offering strong margins to the UK trade. A DB Conference panel yesterday explained all.

Where are the margins for the UK drinks trade?

For both data-driven operations and “unashamedly old school” businesses, there are products and clients offering strong margins to the trade.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 7d

The broadcaster joined industry figures at Claridge’s for The Drinks Trust Gala, helping raise more than £60,000 to support people working across the drinks trade.

Graham Norton helps raise £60k for The Drinks Trust at star-studded gala

The broadcaster and comedian co-hosted the annual charity event at Claridge’s alongside rum ambassador Ian Burrell.

www.thedrinksbusiness.com

1

The Drinks Business @teamdb.bsky.social · 7d

American-made spirits exports plunged 9% in Q2, with major declines in key markets such as Canada, the EU and Japan. Industry leaders warn that both trade tensions and a growing global move toward local brands may signal a deeper, structural change.

US spirits exports slump as tariffs and consumer shifts bite

American-made spirits exports plunged 9% in Q2, with major declines in key markets such as Canada, the EU and Japan. Industry leaders warn that both trade tensions and a growing global move toward loc...

www.thedrinksbusiness.com