The last year has seen some great challenges for the drinks industry, with the collapse in sterling caused by the European referendum vote and the continued uncertainty surrounding the outcome of negotiations driving prices up and making the UK a less attractive market for the majority of wine producers.

Added to this, 2017 has seen the smallest global harvest in decades, with South America, Spain and Italy particularly affected and this will continue to put upward pressure on prices throughout the year.  Against this backdrop, we have been working hard to mitigate these pressures and although some prices have had to increase, especially at the volume end of the market and in the classic appellations of the Loire, we are fortunate that many of the producers we deal with have long term relations with us and have helped to share the burden.

There has never been a better time than now to explore the better value up and coming regions as, whilst recent vintages may have been short, for most regions quality has been high and we are seeing some fine vintages on the market at the moment.

– Peter Mitchell MW, Wine Director