Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cork & Closures: Back to cork

Published: 01 March, 2024

As Broadland Drinks re-installs its corking line after a 15-year absence, Jo Gilbert looks at the future for cork as a technically sound, carbon negative option.

Henry Jeffreys: Whisky goes global

Published: 24 November, 2023

Henry Jeffreys looks beyond Scotch and more latterly Japan, to those countries which have emerged as serious, sellable propositions for the trade.

Berry Bros. & Rudd champions sustainability pioneers with new Collective

Published: 11 September, 2023

Historic London-based merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd is revamping its spirits portfolio, with the launch of The Collective, a new annual release of spirits, which brings together a group of like-minded distillers.

Tech & Innovation: Detecting fine wine forgeries

Published: 17 August, 2022

According to a 2021 report from Business Insider, fake wine accounts for 20% of wine sold worldwide. If this is true, and many credible sources seem to agree, then the chances are you have drunk from a bottle containing fraudulent wine. The report referred to numerous cases of wine crime in recent history, including the seizure of 4,000 bottles of the counterfeit ‘super-Tuscan’ Bolgheri Sassicaia, which fetches up to £320 a bottle.

Exton Park Announces New CEO Appointment, Robin McMillan

Published: 12 July, 2022

Hampshire-based Vineyard, Exton Park, has announced the appointment of Robin McMillan as its new CEO.

Berry Bros. & Rudd releases Christmas trading results

Published: 12 January, 2022

Berry Bros. & Rudd (BBR) has unveiled its fourth quarter financial data for 2021, showing a notable surge in online sales and a burgeoning consumer demand for sparkling wine brands.

Berry Bros unveils Nordic Casks whisky range

Published: 25 August, 2021

Berry Bros & Rudd has launched a Nordic Casks whisky series, marking the first time an independent bottler has focussed on this whisky region, according to the business.

Berry Bros adds British rum Scratch to portfolio

Published: 12 April, 2021

Berry Bros & Rudd has added Patience aged rum from Hertfordshire distillery Scratch to its portfolio, marking the merchant’s first British rum listing.

Exclusive distribution deal for Berry Bros and Walsh Whiskey

Published: 29 March, 2021

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) Brands has signed a deal as the exclusive distributor in the UK for Irish whiskey producer, Walsh Whiskey, from the 1 April, 2021.

Lay & Wheeler snaps up further ex-Berry Bros staff

Published: 27 January, 2021

Lay & Wheeler has appointed a new head of operations, while also expanding its private clients team as part of the company’s growth strategy.

Brexit: Independence Day?

Published: 09 December, 2020

With the end of the Brexit transition now hurtling down the track, many indies may not be aware of quite how much post-1 January changes could affect their businesses, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Bancroft snaps up two SA producers from FMV

Published: 24 September, 2020

Bancroft Wines has expanded its South African portfolio with Anthonij Rupert Wines and Constantia Glen, both of which were previously represented in the UK by Field, Morris & Verdin (FMV).

Berry Bros confirms FMV restructure

Published: 04 September, 2020

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) has confirmed it will be restructuring its Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) wholesale arm following the announcement of an internal review in June.

Berry Bros supports “hardest struck” smaller wine producers

Published: 27 April, 2020

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) has revealed an initiative to support some of the small family businesses hit by the Covid-19 crisis.

Staples bolsters Lay & Wheeler senior team

Published: 23 April, 2020

Lay & Wheeler has bolstered its senior team with the immediate addition of Simon Staples and Catherine Petrie MW.

Berry Bros signs up as MND Association charity partner, following colleague's diagnosis

Published: 06 April, 2020

Berry Bros & Rudd has selected Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association) as it’s charity partner for the next three years.

BBR takes the plunge at $3.9m Napa Auction

Published: 23 February, 2020

British merchant Berry Bros & Rudd was among the winning bidders at the annual Premiere Napa Valley Auction on Saturday, which raised $3.9m in support of Napa Valley Vintners.

Colley set for return to Majestic

Published: 19 August, 2019

John Colley is set to return to Majestic less than three years after he left the business, The Sunday Times has reported.

FMV adds Vigneti Tardis to its Italian portfolio

Published: 08 April, 2019

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) has extended its Italian portfolio with the addition of Vigneti Tardis.

Creating stronger bonds

Published: 19 November, 2018

At first glance, the day-to-day logistics of running a bonded warehouse is scarcely of any interest to the wider trade, let alone consumers. Regarded as a prosaic stepping stone in the overall supply chain, firms such as Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) have been managing these “holding bays” for decades, a regulated space where imported goods that are intended for export can be stored without actually entering the UK market. Duty and VAT payments are deferred until the wine is sold or removed from the bonded warehouse. It’s that simple.