Vine

UK biopesticides company Eden Research has received approval for its flagship biofungicide product to be used in New Zealand on wine and table grapes to tackle outbreaks of Botrytis cinerea, a major cause of crop loss and food waste in the country’s vineyards.

Fizz Fest is the flagship event for Vineyards of Hampshire and offers visitors the chance to try 25 different premium sparkling and still wines.

London’s Forty Hall Vineyard, which produces award-winning still and sparkling wines says it has suffered three poor harvests and is in need of vital funds for pest control and a reliable tractor.

The bondola and bondeletta varieties, which once played an important role in wine production in Ticino, Switzerland, are set to receive special protection.

One the UK’s most respected winemakers, Emma Rice has set up her own winemaking consultancy company to advise the burgeoning domestic UK wine industry. She will be offering advice on winery design, equipment sourcing, sensory evaluation and troubleshooting, wine style strategy and general winemaking consultancy.

Balfour Winery, a producer of award-winning English wines, has recently appointed Adam Williams as chief operations officer and Jack Merrylees from Majestic Wine as it’s new marketing & PR director, as the company prepares to double production to one million bottles a year.

English wine producer Chapel Down has launched a limited-edition sparkling wine to commemorate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, with all profits from sales to benefit the Royal British Legion.

WineGB, the industry body representing wine growers and producers in Britain, has signed a further three-year partnership with rural insurer NFU Mutual.

In a new Business Sustainability Challenge, Growing Kent & Medway (GKM) is making £900,000 available for innovative horticultural, plant-based food and drink businesses with ideas to enhance sustainability in the sector.

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) has announced the resignation of its CEO Simon Thorpe MW, who has served the organisation for over two years and will now be returning to his roots as an importer and distributor.

Dr Belinda Kemp has joined the crop research organisation NIAB to lead the vine and wine research at its East Malling site in Kent.

Latest statistics from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) show that 21 pubs a week are closing for business in the UK and face an uncertain future, with customers tightening their belts and energy bills set to hit new highs from 1st April.