UK national jailed for 10 years over US$97m fine wine fraud A London-based fraudster has now been sentenced in New York after orchestrating a global wine investment scam.

A London-based fraudster has been sentenced in New York after orchestrating a global wine investment scam that defrauded more than 140 victims.

Yellow Tail owner slips into loss as costs rise Yellow Tail owner Casella Wines has moved from profit to loss as pressures build across its core export markets. Management points to weaker US demand, tariffs and higher costs, with some relief comin...

Yellow Tail owner Casella Wines has moved from profit to loss as pressures build across its core export markets. Management points to weaker US demand, tariffs and higher costs, with some relief coming from other regions.

Pernod Ricard gains family backing in Brown-Forman pursuit Pernod Ricard is reported to have secured support from the Brown family in its bid to combine with Brown-Forman. The proposed merger of equals is seen as more attractive than a rival takeover offer fr...

Pernod Ricard is reported to have secured support from the Brown family in its bid to combine with Brown-Forman. The proposed merger of equals is seen as more attractive than a rival takeover offer from US spirits group Sazerac.

Robert Mondavi unveils Napa estate following three-year transformation Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi Winery reopens its Oakville estate on 20 April, revealing the fruits of a multi-year renovation costing more than US$200 million. db reports.

Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery reopens its Oakville estate on 20 April, revealing the fruits of a multi-year renovation costing more than US$200 million. db reports.

Concha y Toro launches new subsidiary focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot from Limarí Viña Concha Y Toro has spun out Viña Amelia into a new subsidiary that will focus exclusively on its "exceptional" Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its extreme vineyards in the Limarí Valley.

Viña Concha y Toro has spun out Viña Amelia into a new subsidiary that will focus exclusively on its “exceptional” Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its extreme vineyards in the Limarí Valley.

Nyetimber appoints Steven Edwards as executive chef English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber has appointed MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards to lead its culinary offering.

English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber has appointed MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards to lead its culinary offering, as it launches a series of paired dining experiences at its estate this summer.

AI will help wine sales in hospitality but won’t replace humans Artificial intelligence can help sell wine on the restaurant floor, but it won't replace the human touch, says hospitality professional.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in hospitality, db hosted a webinar earlier this year to see how the tech can help on the restaurant floor, and whether it might replace the human touch.

Tiny Scottish island gets go-ahead for new brewery Permission for a brewery to be built on the Scottish Isle of Gigha has been granted by the local authorities after conversion and development plans were submitted last year.

Permission for a brewery to be built on the Scottish Isle of Gigha has been granted by the local authorities after conversion and development plans were submitted last year.

Lidl starts building first ever pub Discount supermarket chain Lidl has begun to build its first ever boozer in east Belfast – a year after winning a long-running licensing spat regarding the pub’s construction.

Discount supermarket chain Lidl has begun to build its first ever boozer in east Belfast – a year after winning a long-running licensing spat regarding the pub’s construction.

Sell more wine with flavour, not terroir Wine sales may be declining overall, but categories focused on flavour, accessibility and occasion are booming. Producers who shift how they communicate with consumers, especially younger drinkers, ar...

Wine sales may be declining overall, but categories focused on flavour, accessibility and occasion are booming. Producers who shift how they communicate with consumers, especially younger drinkers, are finding new routes to growth without sacrificing identity. Kathleen Willcox reports.

LVMH maintains growth despite Middle East disruption LVMH has delivered a modest rise in quarterly sales, showing resilience despite disruption in the Middle East and softer tourism flows. The luxury group reports underlying strength across key markets,...

LVMH has delivered a modest rise in quarterly sales, showing resilience despite disruption in the Middle East and softer tourism flows. The luxury group reports underlying strength across key markets, with most regions and categories showing improvement.

Champagne puts celebration at heart of 2040 initiative Through its ‘Champagne 2040’ initiative, the Comité Champagne is shifting its perspective from production targets to consumer expectations.

With an initiative called ‘Champagne 2040’, the Comité Champagne is shifting its perspective from production targets to consumer expectations, db found out earlier this year.

The db Wine Crime Files 2026: part 1 In this exclusive series, Sarah Neish delves into the biggest booze-related crimes to have taken place across the globe so far this year, from poisoned wine and camel-smuggled liquor to a stolen Faber...

In this exclusive series, Sarah Neish delves into the biggest booze-related crimes to have taken place across the globe so far this year, from poisoned wine and camel-smuggled liquor to a stolen Fabergé egg whiskey set.

Louis Roederer enters talks for Burgundy estate Champagne house Louis Roederer has begun exclusive negotiations to acquire Domaine Pierre Damoy in Gevrey Chambertin. The move forms part of a broader strategy to expand beyond sparkling wine into sti...

Champagne house Louis Roederer has begun exclusive negotiations to acquire Domaine Pierre Damoy in Gevrey Chambertin. The move forms part of a broader strategy to expand beyond sparkling wine into still wine and wider luxury activities.

Russia to hike duties on alcohol imports from ‘unfriendly’ states From May, Russia will increase duties on imported alcohol from ‘unfriendly’ countries to around €5 per litre in a bid to boost the struggling federal budget and protect domestic manufacturers. Eugene ...

From May, Russia will increase duties on imported alcohol from ‘unfriendly’ countries to around €5 per litre in a bid to boost the struggling federal budget and protect domestic manufacturers. Eugene Gerden reports.

Richard Caring sells majority stake in Ivy empire for £1.4bn Richard Caring has agreed to sell a controlling interest in his restaurant and private members’ club group to Abu Dhabi investor Diafa. The deal follows an extended sales process and brings fresh capi...

Richard Caring has agreed to sell a controlling interest in his restaurant and private members’ club group to Abu Dhabi investor Diafa. The deal follows an extended sales process and brings fresh capital into a strained UK hospitality sector.

Project Paradise: Inside Sula’s acquisition of Chandon India In conversation with Nimmi Malhotra, Sula’s founder and CEO, Rajeev Samant, discusses what the Sula's acquisition of Chandon India means for the estate and the wider Indian wine industry.

In conversation with Nimmi Malhotra, Sula’s founder and CEO, Rajeev Samant, discusses what Sula’s acquisition of Chandon India means for the estate and the wider Indian wine industry.

Vinarchy UK hit with £8million packaging tax The UK arm of Vinarchy, the company formed when Accolade merged with Pernod Ricard Winemakers, would have turned a profit last year were it not for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) levy, its...

The UK arm of Vinarchy, the company formed when Accolade merged with Pernod Ricard Winemakers, would have turned a profit last year were it not for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) levy, its accounts show.

Benchmark Drinks launches brand to reset wine category Benchmark Drinks has launched a new wine brand, All Good Things, aiming to revive the mid-priced category with high-quality, affordable wines.

Benchmark Drinks has launched a new wine brand, All (Good) Things, aiming to revive the struggling mid-priced category with high-quality, affordable wines sourced from renowned cool-climate regions.

Benchmark Wine Group posts record first quarter The US rare wine reseller Benchmark Wine Group has reported its strongest first quarter in 24 years after a record sales year in 2025. The company says sustained interest in top Bordeaux, white Burgun...

The US rare wine reseller Benchmark Wine Group has reported its strongest first quarter in 24 years after a record sales year in 2025. The company says sustained interest in top Bordeaux, white Burgundy and Port is helping propel growth even as broader wine sales remain under pressure.

Livermore Valley winemakers vote for two-grape strategy Winegrowers in California’s Livermore Valley region have officially decided that their future lies in two signature grapes - Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc - with producers starting to rip out oth...

Winegrowers in California’s Livermore Valley region have officially decided that their future lies in two signature grapes – Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc – with producers starting to rip out other varieties. Roger Morris reports.

Wines of South Africa restructures UK office Wines of South Africa has announced a restructure of its UK operation, resulting in the redundancy of its two current London-based roles.

Wines of South Africa (WoSA) has announced a restructure of its UK operation, resulting in the redundancy of its two current London-based roles.

Vagabond to open landmark Soho site Wine bar Vagabond is set to open a 6,000 sq ft flagship in the heart of London, as part of a Majestic backed growth strategy.

Wine bar chain Vagabond is set to open a 6,000 sq ft flagship in the heart of London, pouring more than 120 wines by the glass as part of a wider growth strategy backed by Majestic Wine Group. www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/04/vaga...

GLP-1 drugs reshape alcohol consumption and hospitality habits Millions of Britons using GLP-1 weight loss medications are beginning to alter how they drink, dine and choose venues. For the drinks trade, the shift may test established alcohol led revenue models.

Millions of Britons using GLP-1 weight loss medications are beginning to alter how they drink, dine and choose venues. For the drinks trade, the shift may test established alcohol led revenue models.

‘Definitely not doom and gloom’ for Champagne sales in UK Champagne sales in the UK are showing resilience, with several producers reporting growth in 2025.

Despite ongoing challenges in the drinks sector, Champagne sales in the UK are showing resilience, with several producers reporting growth in 2025.

Bottle of 1945 DRC sells for US$812,500, setting new world record A bottle of 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has made history for US auction house Acker after it sold for US$812,500, smashing its own 2018 world record of US$558,000.

A bottle of 1945 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has made history for US auction house Acker after it sold for US$812,500, smashing its own world record from 2018 of US$558,000.

Man arrested after using camels to smuggle illicit liquor into Delhi One man seeking to smuggle thousands of liquor bottles into Delhi using camels met a hump in the road when he was arrested by the police, with the two animals and stash of contraband booze subsequentl...

One man seeking to smuggle thousands of liquor bottles into Delhi using camels met a hump in the road when he was arrested by the police, with the two animals and stash of contraband booze subsequently seized.

Where are they now? Peter Stafford-Bow: the wine buyer who survived From high-stakes supermarket negotiations to murky international dealings, Peter Stafford-Bow’s career has been anything but conventional. The author and former wine buyer reflects on the deals, scand...

From high-stakes supermarket negotiations to murky international dealings, Peter Stafford-Bow’s career has been anything but conventional. The author and former wine buyer reflects on the deals, scandals and survival instincts that shaped a life in the modern wine trade. Anthony Rose reports.

Bordeaux’s most secret wine: Enthusiasm for L’Enthousiaste db's Bordeaux correspondent Colin Hay unveils a new wine, a rare jewel born from an alliance between a winegrower and an oenologist from Bordeaux's left-bank and the right-bank respectively, which was...

db’s Bordeaux correspondent Colin Hay reports on a new wine, a rare jewel born from an alliance between a winegrower and an oenologist from Bordeaux’s Left Bank and the Right Bank respectively, which was, until now, a closely guarded secret.

American Airlines cabin crew allegedly served fake fizz on flight A flight attendant reportedly mixed still Chardonnay wine with carbonated water to "make" sparkling wine after the airline ran out of bottles of fizz.

A flight attendant reportedly mixed still Chardonnay wine with carbonated water to “make” sparkling wine after the airline ran out of bottles of fizz.