UK government introduces new tax system on alcoholic beverages

New government regulations have been introduced in the UK from August 1 which will see alcoholic beverages now taxed on strength.

WSTA calls for immediate end to US whiskey tariff

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called for the UK government to swiftly remove tariffs on US whiskies.

BAME Wine Professionals aims to promote diversity in the wine trade

A new online resource is dedicated to shining a light on “wine talent in the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities”.

UK distillery numbers up 22% in 2019

New HMRC figures show that the number of distilleries registered in the UK last year increased 22% to 441.

Gin boom continues as category hits £3bn in UK

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association’s latest market report shows that the rise and rise of gin in the UK is continuing at an even greater pace.

WSTA appoints Michael Saunders new chair

The board of directors of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has appointed Michael Saunders as its new chair following Dan Jago’s three-year term in the role. 

British gin exports up 15% in 2018

The latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs show that British gin sales abroad for 2018 were up 15% on the previous year, worth £612m.

US whiskey imports to UK up 50%

US whiskey imports to the UK have risen 50% over the past decade according to the Wine and Spirits Trade Association.

WSTA says duty rise "bitterly disappointing"

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned British consumers to expect a rise in wine prices as businesses were hit with a duty rise on Friday 1 February.

WSTA chief wants Brexit no-deal tariff plans

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is calling for clarity from the UK government on its post no deal tariff plans, warning that any no deal Brexit will see wine prices hit an all-time high.

WSTA chief: wine duty rise "grossly unfair"

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned consumers to expect an increase in wine prices as businesses take an inflationary hit following the Budget announcement.

British Gin exports show record high

Exports of British gin have, yet again, broken records reaching £279m for the first half of 2018.

WSTA and Benevolent appoint new members

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has appointed Jeremy Shepherd from Brown-Forman and Mark Riley from Edrington-Beam Suntory UK to its board.

WSTA’s Gibbs goes to work for Government

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has announced that one of the longest serving members of staff, Carlo Gibbs, director of UK Policy and Social Responsibility, is leaving to take up a new role in the UK Government’s Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy.

WSTA Brexit debate at London Wine Fair

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is hosting a ‘Brexit debate’ at this year’s London Wine Fair.

Kweichow Moutai to expand into Europe

Chinese distiller Kweichow Moutai Co. has outlined plans to expand sales overseas using the UK as a launch pad into Europe.

WSTA takes British wine to HK

In the same week that the secretary of state signed a joint statement on trade collaboration, some of the WSTA team led a group of English wine and British gin producers on a trade mission, which - for the first time - was jointly funded by the UK government.

WSTA annual conference wins award

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s annual conference has been recognised by the European Association Awards ceremony in Belgium.

WSTA nominated for European Association Awards

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has been shortlisted for two European Association Awards, which will take place on February 23 in Brussels.

WSTA chief hails decision to freeze UK alcohol duty

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has praised the decision made by chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond to freeze UK wine and spirits duty.

Wine and Spirit trade bodies sign up to a united approach to Brexit

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association says it has joined up with trade bodies from across Europe to agree a ground breaking Brexit position paper.

WSTA wants 'right' Brexit deal for large UK wine value

The WSTA wants ‘the right’ Brexit deal with the EU to ensure trade is uninterrupted now that wine is the UK’s sixth most exported food and drink product.

WSTA slams British pub tax

British pubs are facing a tax raid of £1bn over the next five years, according to research conducted by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

WSTA chief slams UK government over Brexit

The chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Miles Beale has warned that ministers in the UK parliament need to set aside differences and produce a clear plan for Brexit or trade will suffer.

WSTA announces annual conference keynote speakers

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has announced Lord Price, minister of state for international trade and Wetherspoon boss, Tim Martin as keynote speakers at this year’s WSTA Annual Conference this September.

WSTA joins food and drink giants at government roundtable

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association was invited to attend Defra’s Food and Drink discussions at a roundtable led by secretary of state, Michael Gove, last week.

WSTA chief wants full Brexit 'divorce'

Wine and Spirit Trade Association CEO Miles Beale, has called for the government to follow through with its Brexit negotiations.

WSTA chief to join Brexit debate at Vinexpo

Miles Beale, CEO of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) and a former UK government advisor on agricultural policy, is to join the panel of experts debating the UK’s proposed exit from the European Union at Vinexpo Bordeaux on June 20.

Brexit pushes up the price of a bottle of wine, says WSTA

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s latest market report has revealed the average price of a bottle of wine has risen more in the last 12 weeks than it had in the last two years.

Brexit can boost spirits exports says WSTA chief

WSTA chief executive officer Miles Beale believes the UK can use Brexit to boost spirit export numbers after 45 new distilleries emerged in 2016.

WSTA disagrees with Legislation Act review

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association believes that recommendations made by the House of Lords in their report on the Legislation Act 2003 would ‘not be sensible’.

Brexit: ‘UK wine trade needs support’

A UK politician believes that the British government must support ‘frictionless trade’ with the EU following Brexit to save 270,000 jobs in the UK wine industry.

WSTA: Frictionless borders needed to prevent smuggling

The WSTA has warned that Brexit talks must achieve “frictionless borders” to avoid alcohol smugglers at ports.

WSTA tackles Brexit minister

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association says it met Brexit minister David Jones last week to discuss how the industry can best protect trade and prosper when the UK leaves the EU.

WSTA reaches out

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has reached out to help establish and offer on-going support to a new alliance of small distillers and other spirit producers.

New responsible drinking guidelines completely out of kilter, says WSTA chief

The UK chief medical officer’s responsible drinking guidelines are entirely out of kilter with the rest of the world and out of touch with reality, according to WSTA’s Miles Beale. 

WSTA backs EU Remain campaign

Leaving the EU would lead to a more uncertain trading environment, loss of access to the single market and the absence of a UK voice at the table to shape EU regulation by which the industry would still be bound, according to the WSTA chief executive. 

Duty on Spirits, beer and cider duty to be frozen

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced in the Budget today (March 16) that the UK duty on spirits, beer and cider duty will be frozen but wine duty will rise with inflation.

Sparkling wine, spirits and beer drive UK market growth

The UK alcohol market has returned to growth following years of continuous decline, according to the latest WSTA market report. 

WSTA calls on Government support

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called for further Government help for the UK wine sector.

Alcohol price increases have slowed

The WSTA says new research shows that price increases in the off trade have slowed since the Government scrapped the alcohol duty escalator, cut beer duty and froze duty on spirits in 2014.

WSTA Spirits Committee elects new chairman

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s Spirits Committee has elected Finn O’Driscoll, managing director of SHS Drinks, as its new chairman. He replaces Chris Searle.

Denis O’Flynn is next WSTA chairman

Pernod Ricard UK managing director, Denis O’Flynn has been elected as the next chairman of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), succeeding Nick Hyde in January 2015.

WSTA steps up campaign to end alcohol duty escalator

New figures show pubs in Britain are becoming increasingly reliant on wine and spirit sales, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Canada eliminates EU wine and spirits tariffs

Canada has agreed a free trade deal that will eliminate tariffs on EU spirits and wine.

WSTA chief slams UK duty increases

Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) chief executive Miles Beale, has criticised the UK government’s so-called ‘Alcohol Duty Escalator’ which has seen the tax on wine and spirits rise by up to 50%.

UK on-trade withers in summer heat

A long, hot summer did nothing to boost the UK on-trade’s fortunes, the sector's volume sales having shrunk 6% in the last 12 weeks, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

WSTA reports negativity in UK drinks sector

Total alcohol sales continue to fall according to the latest Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) market report.

WSTA welcomes ONS alcohol statistics

The Wine & Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the latest figures from the UK government’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) showing that the majority of people are drinking within weekly guideline amounts and increased awareness of alcohol units.

WSTA warning over new EU rules for made-wine products

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned that changes to customs classifications at EU level could lead to an increase in excise duty and VAT for some made-wine* products in the UK.