Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The Benevolent Ball raises over £40k

Published: 18 March, 2014

The UK drinks trade united last week at the Benevolent charity ball, raising over £40,000 for colleagues in need.

Wine price comparison site to predict when low prices are coming

Published: 18 March, 2014

Wine price comparison website Bring a Bottle is aiming to make predictions on when individual products will hit their lowest prices as the next phase in its development.

Spain must plant more international grape varieties, says Rabobank

Published: 18 March, 2014

Spain should plant more international varieties and bill Tempranillo as its signature grape, if it is to combat oversupply issues and compete globally, says a Rabobank report.

Bacardí launches multi-million pound marketing campaign

Published: 18 March, 2014

Bacardí has launched a multi-million pound marketing campaign in the UK around its "irrepressible spirit".

Wine and spirits industry in one last push to halt duty escalator in next week's Budget

Published: 14 March, 2014

The wine and spirits trade is readying itself for one last push to convince the Chancellor to scrap the alcohol duty escalator in next week's Budget following intensive campaigning across the industry.

UK sales of organic wine fall

Published: 13 March, 2014

Sales of organic produce have risen for the first time in four years in the UK, but the increase has not been felt across beers wines and spirits sales at supermarkets, where they tumbled 7.6%.

Bargain Booze franchisees set for bonus payment

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bargain Booze franchisees are getting their share of a £180,000 bonus pot this month from owners Conviviality Retail, following the launch of a reward scheme.

Q&A with Origin Wine founder Bernard Fontannaz, who talks quality control and looking outside South Africa

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wine on quality control, expanding its portfolio to include Old World wines and Fairtrade.

Miracle Machine designed to turn water into wine was publicity stunt

Published: 13 March, 2014

The Miracle Machine which claimed to turn water into wine in just a few days was a publicity stunt designed to raise awareness for a clean water charity.

Bibendum strengthens Australian portfolio with Wynns

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bibendum has added Coonawarra estate Wynns to its portfolio, along with boutique Margaret River producer Fraser Gallop and fortified wines Morris of Rutherglen.

Prosecco's mass appeal may limit growth, says Cava boss

Published: 12 March, 2014

Prosecco's meteoric rise is not at the expense of Cava, insists Grupo Codorniu UK's boss, who says its mass appeal may inhibit further growth.

Bernard Fontannaz slams wine critics who claim Fairtrade wines should "overdeliver"

Published: 12 March, 2014

Fairtrade wine pioneer Bernard Fontannaz has called for a level playing field for Fairtrade wines, after criticism that the wines should "overdeliver" on quality.

Duty escalator to blame for shrinking Scotch sales in UK

Published: 12 March, 2014

The UK market for Scotch whisky has contracted by 3% in the last year as duty increases put pressure on the industry.

WSTA launches more accessible website

Published: 12 March, 2014

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has revamped its website to make it more accessible for members.

Mateus launches four wines combining international and Portuguese grapes

Published: 11 March, 2014

Portugal's Mateus is extending its reach with the launch of four new wines combining Portuguese and international grape varieties.

Wine in danger of losing share to other categories, says report

Published: 11 March, 2014

Generation Y - 18 to 35 year-olds - has an overall lack of engagement with wine, according to a study carried out for London Wine Fair.

Indie rock band the 1975 to headline Bushmills gig

Published: 11 March, 2014

Irish whiskey brand Bushmills' third annual Bushmills Live gig will be headlined by up and coming indie rock band the 1975.

The Co-op revamps wine range to focus on own brand

Published: 11 March, 2014

The Co-operative is introducing 56 new wines to its range, which will have greater focus on own brand wines - especially its Fairtrade and Truly Irresistible wines.

Alliance Wine aims to create 'iconic' rosé brand

Published: 11 March, 2014

Alliance Wine has high hopes that its new French rosé wine La Vie en Rose will become an iconic brand.

Q&A with Edward Robinson, Fairtrade wine buyer at the Co-operative

Published: 11 March, 2014

Edward Robinson talks about the commercial success of Fairtrade wines at the Co-operative, how the Fairtrade mark works and highlights the group's biggest project in Argentina.