Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Alliance welcomes new MW to buying team

Published: 29 January, 2026

Alliance Wine has announced that Sarah Benson MW has joined its buying team.

Ribera del Duero harvest: Abundant yield despite weather challenges

Published: 03 December, 2025

The Ribera del Duero DO has unveiled its results for the 2025 harvest. Although challenging weather and mildew marked the growing season, the resulting crop was the second most abundant in the past 10 years.

Rioja: Region’s second largest co-op set to become LLC

Published: 03 December, 2025

Bodegas Sonsierra, the 500ha producer from the Rioja Alta’s San Vicente de la Sonsierra, is set to transition its ownership model from cooperative to limited liability company (LLC).

How Spain reinvented itself for the on-trade

Published: 31 October, 2025

A new generation of winemakers has recharged the country’s standing in the on-trade. Hamish Graham reports.

Spanish wine importers chart the path ahead

Published: 24 October, 2025

Harpers invited some of the bigger producers and importers of Spanish wine to comment on what they are focused on in terms of both sales and marketing and where they see any openings or challenges for Spanish wine in the UK. Many said that Spain is a region with a strong position and a lot of potential, which presents both opportunities and difficulties for those in Spanish wine – one of the most-emphasised points was the necessity of consumer education, as a lack of knowledge may be holding Spain back.

Why communicating Spanish wine’s identity boasts opportunities and challenges

Published: 22 October, 2025

Fuelled in no small part by its ongoing holiday romance with Spain, the UK is the Mediterranean country’s third most successful wine export market behind France and Italy. Ever since the term ‘Costa Blanca’ was coined to promote Spanish tourism in the late 1950s, Brits have been soaking up the culture, food and drink along with the sun.

Ramón Bilbao becomes official partner of Spanish Football

Published: 13 October, 2025

Spanish wine heavyweight Ramón Bilbao has been announced as an official partner of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Familia Torres launches innovative new solar project

Published: 22 September, 2025

Spanish wine heavyweight Familia Torres has announced a pilot solar project at one of its vineyards in the Penedès as part of the Solarwine project.

Hatch Mansfield tasting: Iberian intrigue meets Evremond excitement

Published: 16 September, 2025

At Hatch Mansfield’s portfolio tasting at the glitzy Institute of Directors, established producers and upstart projects were the order of the day.

Liberty portfolio expands with Tenerife and Ribeira Sacra additions

Published: 15 September, 2025

Liberty Wines has announced new distribution agreements with two Spanish producers. The importer is adding Ribeira Sacra’s Adega Algueira and Tenerife’s Ocampo to its offering.

Alliance wine expands Iberian portfolio

Published: 12 September, 2025

Independent supplier Alliance Wine is now the exclusive UK distributor for Bodegas Dominio de Cair, a leading Ribera del Duero winery.

Top Cava now 100% organic certified

Published: 04 September, 2025

D.O Cava has announced that beginning with the 2022 harvest, all Guarda Superior Cavas (which includes the Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Paraje Calificado categories) have been produced exclusively with grapes from 100% organic certified vineyards.

On-trade: Finding value in hidden gems

Published: 04 July, 2025

It is not, to paraphrase P. G. Wodehouse, difficult to distinguish between the current world of hospitality and a ray of sunshine. Many businesses have never fully recovered post Covid; inflation (and short vintages) have sent prices skyrocketing, and customers are feeling the pinch. They eat out less, spend less and grumble more.

5 minutes with…

Published: 02 July, 2025

Charlotte Wallace managing and technical director, Graham Crawford, sales director, and Luke Flunder, brand ambassador, Oakley Wine Agencies.

Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino honours three industry heavyweights

Published: 16 June, 2025

The 40th anniversary of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino saw three new members added to the historic group in honour of their promotion of wines from Spain in the UK trade.

Buyer’s Spotlight: Aged Spanish whites

Published: 04 June, 2025

Jason Millar reports back from the Wines of Spain Tasting where he found plenty to get excited about in how producers are ageing wines

19 Crimes adds Tempranillo to range

Published: 02 June, 2025

Treasury Wine Estates’ 19 Crimes brand has expanded into the Spanish wine category with the launch of a Tempranillo.

Vega Sicilia appoints Jessica Julmy as new MD

Published: 22 May, 2025

Spanish producer Tempos Vega Sicilia has announced the appointment of Jessica Julmy as its new MD. Julmy will begin her directorship at the end of August, leading the Álvarez family's six estates including the flagship Vega Sicilia in Ribera del Duero.

Bodegas Baigorri partners with Top Selection for UK brand relaunch

Published: 02 May, 2025

Spanish wine producer Bodegas Baigorri has entered into a distribution partnership with UK-based importer Top Selection as it looks to grow its presence in the UK.

Bibendum recruits Corpinnat producer Sabaté i Coca to portfolio

Published: 16 April, 2025

Importer and on-trade specialist Bibendum has announced the expansion of its sparkling portfolio with the addition of Corpinnat producer Sabaté i Coca.