The Drinks Business

Apple and premium draught cider have been identified as the main trends shaping the UK hospitality sector. But what else is driving sales across the category? db looks into the opportunities. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/the-bi…

With softer footfall on the ground, this year’s ProWein signals a more targeted approach as organisers push ahead with a strategic reset. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/prowei…

Master Winemaker 100: José Manuel Rodríguez The technical director at Spain’s Arínzano tells db about embracing trial and error, the danger of false narratives and who serve as the “true barometer” of the industry. #navarra #spanishwine #finewine thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/master…

Attitudes to alcohol consumption are changing among adult-age Gen Z and Millennials, who are increasingly expecting more from the alcohol-free beer category, according to a new report. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/gen-z-…

According to CellarTracker founder Eric LeVine, “Dry January does not exist” – at least among his audience – though drinkers are exploring far more wine regions than in the past. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/wine-d…

According to one indie retailer, it had to sell more than 12,160 wines just to cover the latest business rates bill. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/busine…

New Zealand’s largest wine region is bracing for a prolonged downturn, with growers cutting production and facing mounting financial pressure. Some industry leaders warn the road back to profitability will be slow, despite signs of global demand. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/marlbo…

Moldova’s quiet wine revolution With a long winemaking history, distinctive grape varieties and a developing wine tourism sector, Moldova is perfectly placed to win over new consumers. #partnercontent #moldovanwine #indigenousgrapes thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/moldov…

Greene King, Britain’s second-largest pub group, is considering the sale of 150 pubs, while around 20 have also been earmarked for closure. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/greene…

Following the February airstrikes by the US and Israel on Iran, Sarah Neish discovers how the ongoing conflict is impacting wine businesses, from producers and merchants to closure manufacturers. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/drinks…

Master Winemaker 100: Álvaro Martínez The winemaker at Rioja’s Bodegas Martínez tells db about learning from other winemakers, tasting century-old bottles and his mantra of “drink and enjoy”. #finewine #rioja #whitewine thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/master…

From shifting attitudes to new product launches to the rise of umami-led cocktails, ProWein 2026 revealed an industry rethinking its priorities — with quality, collaboration and consumer demand driving the conversation. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/qualit…

Syrian authorities have banned alcohol in Damascus restaurants and bars, except in several Christian neighbourhoods. Officials say it will “eliminate practices that violate public morals,” but critics argue it infringes on civil liberties. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/syrias…

US wine consumption is falling, but shifting trade policy and pricing pressures are reshaping buying habits. As tariffs disrupt imports, producers and buyers are reassessing the balance between domestic and international bottles. Kathleen Willcox reports. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/are-am…

A webinar earlier this month explored how AI-powered personalisation is helping the drinks trade by reducing the uncertainty of buying wine online. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/how-ai…

From booming Chablis sales in Brazil to Italian law changes on dealcoholisation, this year’s ProWein was a hotbed of discussion. Sarah Neish and Sophie Arundel report on the topics getting the trade fired up. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/5-top-…

50 Years of Great Wine Dinners is James Halliday’s swansong, offering a monumental record of how some of the greatest wines have tasted, from one of the industry’s greatest palates. Nimmi Malhotra reviews. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/50-yea…

The Office for National Statistics has added alcohol-free beer to the official basket used to measure UK consumer price inflation for 2026. The move reflects the expanding presence of no and low alcohol products in retail and hospitality. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/alcoho…

A new deal made by Waitrose and The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) is set to uncover the beers made by genuinely indie breweries. Jessica Mason looks at how this changes consumer perception. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/why-th…

Armit Wines is focussing on building its on-trade business, which it says poses a huge opportunity, despite the “existential challenges” facing hospitality from a government that “doesn’t understand business”. thedrinksbusiness.com/2026/03/on-tra…