Jo Gilbert

Looking forward to Our CEO, Tom Khan-Lavin, taking to the Centre Stage at @london_wine_fair this Tuesday for a high-level debate with @harrods , @tesco and @theiwsr on: "Where Premium Still Works (And Why)" 📆 Tuesday 19th May ⏰ 10:15am to 11:15am 📍 Centre Stage, London Wine Fair, Olympia London 👉 @tom_travels , CEO & Drinks Marketing Specialist at @yesmorecreative 👉 Andrew Pattison, Category Buying Manager for Wine at @tesco 👉 @drinks_cheche , Beverage Trading Manager at @harrods 👉 Eilidh Robertson, Senior Consulting Manager at IWSR Chaired by @jo_gwrites , Editor at @drinksretailing My view is that the high cost-of-living is a major challenge, but despite this premiumisation isn't dead - it's just getting smarter. I’m keen to discuss where the true opportunities lie for brands that refuse to race to the bottom on price. See you there! #LWF26 #LondonWineFair #PremiumWine #RetailTrends #DrinksMarketing LuxuryMarketing YesMoreAgency Harrods Tesco IWSR

Join me at @london_wine_fair where I will be discussing premiumisation verses the cost of living crisis with these fantastic panellists... Eilidh Robertson, senior consulting manager, IWSR Andrew Pattison, category buying manager for wine, Tesco Herchelle Perez Torrado, beverage trading manager, Harrods Tom Khan-Lavin, CEO, YesMore

👑 The highly anticipated Top 100 issue of Drinks Retailing is out now, in which the trade decides on the industry’s most influential movers and shakers. 👑 Elsewhere, we consider whether low & and no alcohol products actually mean healthier choices (5). @jo_gwrites catches up with Estrella Damm UK MD Luke White to discuss what sets the brewery apart (8). @nielseniq 's Rob Hallworth asks what the World Cup will mean for cider (10). @lizzyoriordanjourno reports from southeastern Spain on the climate-resistant grape Monastrell (18). We chat with indies about the growth of non-Champagne sparkling wines in their ranges (38). @ywine.press runs through the most important trends in summer drinks (40). @jacopo.mazzeo analyses how India’s fast-growing whisky sector is opening opportunities for Scotch (52). Meanwhile, we hear how @southdowncellars became experts in Sussex wine (60), and Amalka Woodall from @heineken_uk reflects on her career in cider (61). Finally, in advance of English Wine Week, @winegb ’s Nicola Bates shares three things she has learned about the emerging industry (62). Plus, our regular columnists Jeff Evans and @jasonmillar

Meet the mini DR team 😎 #drinksretailing

A knockout evening celebrating the best of UK drinks retail @drinksretailingawards last week. My first time hosting, and everyone could not have been more supportive. With thanks to all our guests and sponsors, my wonderful co-host @janeonwine and of/c the @drinksretailing team of tireless cheerleaders (if you’re on the hunt for female-led teams in the drinks industry, look no further) 🥂 Almost too much positivity for a gloomy Tuesday in February. Doesn’t seem right! 😄 Huge congrats to all the winners and finalists of 2026. You made the evening one to remember 🏆

Another *fantastic* night co-hosting the Drinks Retailing Awards at The Dorchester. I always love to do this gig, and am always grateful to be asked to return. Rewarding those who work tirelessly to make the UK drinks scene as good as it can possibly be always gives me the warm and fuzzies. Well done to all 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 (*bows) especially the new(ish) editor with whom I was proud to share the stage @jo_gwrites 💫

This time last week at the 🎭 ball Had to share the amazing headdresses made by my super talented friend @barbadger 👌🏻

Shake, collect, sort, repeat is the order of the day at @westons at the moment, with around 700 tonnes’ worth of apples coming in every 24 hours over the next couple of weeks. Westons is a major operation: the largest family owned cidermaker in UK via its Henry Westons and Stowford Press brands, it has over 42 oak vats (some 200 years old and up to 200,000 L in size), with fruits being brought in from Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. All the pressing, bottling and kegging is done on site, with 4,000 tonnes packaged up a year on average. Such is the requirement to hold all that lovely fresh juice, new tanks are about to come on stream at a cost of £5m, which will increase capacity of around 4.5 million litres. Encouraging signs for the health and growth of UK cider 🍏🇬🇧

Still digesting and decompressing after a whirlwind #CapeWine2025 South Africa has dealt with and is still dealing with socioeconomic challenges that make others in different parts of the world – winemaking and otherwise – pale in comparison. But the beauty, strength and resilience of both people and landscape shines through for anyone lucky enough to visit. So here are a just few of many recent success stories: Stabilisation of yields after a devastating three year drought from 2015-2018 and supply difficulties which hit only two years later via Covid Projects like @Inzuzowinecompany , which marries education and art to uplift a new generation, led by powerhouse Cape Wine Guild graduate and one of the few women of colour winemakers in South Africa Kaylin Willscott at @journeysendwine Rodney Zimba Klein Goederust who made three generations of his vineyard working family proud by starting his own winery in 2021 Wineries like @vergelegen_wine_estate , which has driven conversation efforts for countless flora and fauna species (including the DNA of the extinct quagga) at its 3,000ha site. From old vine conservation @oldvineproject @the_fledge , @Stellenrust_wines and @wolvenhoekvineyards to tackling unemployment (estimates say it could be as high as 60%) and investing in black-owned projects, South Africa’s wine industry is not only an amazing thing to experience up close but an important piece of a broader puzzle. Thanks to everyone for a week of huge positivity, discovery and enjoyment with a lot of laughs and hugs along the way. @winesofsouthafrica we salute you 🫡🇿🇦

What an amazing experience getting to be up the mountain when the tablecloth cloud came in, pouring vapour between those spurs! Grey and overcast mid week, but we timed it just right. The tablecloth cloud forms over Table Mountain in Cape Town, when warm, moist southeasterly winds rise up the mountain, cool and condense into clouds that drape over the flat summit like a tablecloth, providing essential moisture to the mountain’s unique flora. Table Mountain boasts a higher density of plant species per area than anywhere else on Earth and contains more species than the entire UK. As the locals say, ‘The table has been set for tonight!’ 🍷

Join me on Radio St Helier this weekend as Jo Gilbert brings us her Mixtape. She will talk about her wonderful children's book Jessica Titch the Little Witch. The proceeds from every copy sold will be going to St Raphael's Hospice. Listen Online at or ask your smart speaker to play Radio St Helier. @st.raphs @jo_gwrites @radiosthelier

Awesome day for Mr & Mrs Coleman