The Buyer | Brett Fleming on growing Armits business in spite of the government

It’s the lack of business experience in the current government that is one of the bugbears of Armit Wines managing director Brett Fleming. Launching the distributor’s trade tasting in London last week, he explains to Geoffrey Dean the many uphill struggles that he and his team are having to endure as they attempt to grow the business. But there’s plenty to be excited about too. Armit has a new portfolio manager in Svet Manolev, the company is actively expanding its restaurant business and the trade tasting attracted a record number of trade buyers. Agency-wise Armit has had licence to add five new Italian producers to its portfolio (following the departure of Querciabella) along with taking on board Weingut Bernhard Ott and Domaine Philippe Bouzereau. Dean got the story and picks some of the standout wines.