20 Years of Change in the UK Wine Trade with James Ellis

This show was published Friday, June 5, 2026

Overview

James Ellis of Ellis Wines first appeared on the UK Wine Show in 2006.
In this special anniversary episode, he's back again, two decades later, and we ask him the same questions to explore what has changed. His answers reveal just how much the UK wine trade has shifted in twenty years.

James Ellis is a director of Ellis Wines, a family-owned wine importer and distributor based in southwest London with roots going back to 1980 and family history going back 200 years. What started as a local hospitality business serving Richmond restaurants has grown into a national operation with warehouses in West Middlesex and Exeter.

In this episode, James and Chris cover 20 years of change in the UK wine trade, the rise of Italian wines and the shifting fortunes of Australia and New Zealand, why alcohol levels have become the conversation nobody can avoid, and where the trade goes next.

And there is one story that stands out. When Covid shut down hospitality overnight, Ellis Wines found themselves sitting on something nobody expected would become one of the most talked about wines in the country. Listen to the end to find out which wine it was.

Hosted by Chris Scott
Guest: James Ellis, Ellis Wines

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Music

The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.