Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Majestic wine sales fizz over Christmas

Published: 09 January, 2019

Majestic Wine enjoyed a merry Christmas despite the “challenging market backdrop”.

BWS enjoys strong festive build up as general grocery sales slump

Published: 08 January, 2019

Shoppers visited supermarkets more often in the run up to Christmas, but sales slumped to half the level of growth returned last year, according to Nielsen.

Berkmann expands its Australian Portfolio

Published: 08 January, 2019

Berkmann Wine Cellars is now the exclusive UK agent and distributor of Victorian producers Yarra Yering and Domaine Tournon.

Armit Wines makes another round of appointments

Published: 08 January, 2019

Armit Wines has announced three new hires to its sales and marketing teams.

The Wine Society teams up with Johnston Logistics

Published: 08 January, 2019

The Wine Society has hired Johnston Logistics to bolster its storage and distribution operations as its membership numbers continue to grow.

Spotlight on 2020: Doug Wregg, Les Cave de Pyrene

Published: 07 January, 2019

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Harpers Wine Stars opens to array of new countries

Published: 07 January, 2019

Harpers Wine Stars is poised for further growth this year as the competition opens to an array of new countries.

Château Castera expands distribution via Exel partnership

Published: 04 January, 2019

Château Castera has expanded its UK distribution via a new partnership with independent Scottish online retailer Exel Wines.

The week that was

Published: 04 January, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Bibendum appoints new head of technical

Published: 04 January, 2019

Bibendum has appointed Carmel Kilcline MW as its new head of technical as Stephen Walder retires.

KFWE puts sparkling in the spotlight

Published: 03 January, 2019

Kosher Food and Wine Experience London (KFWE) has announced that all things sparkling will be a key element of this year’s show for the first time.

Wines from Spain turns focus on biodynamic and organic

Published: 03 January, 2019

Wines from Spain has revealed it is adding a green twist to its annual tasting this year with a planned focus on the country’s organic and sustainable winemaking.

Will UK ‘bottle-ists’ ever accept wine in a can?

Published: 02 January, 2019

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, urges winemakers to stop bottling it and embrace new packaging formats and sizes

WSET introduces global education week as part of 50th anniversary activity

Published: 02 January, 2019

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced the launch of its first global ‘Wine Education Week’ as part of a programme of activity planned to mark its 50th birthday.

Waitrose predicts key drinks trends for 2019

Published: 02 January, 2019

Mezcal, canned and Greek wine are among the top drinks trends set to dominate the industry this year, according to Waitrose.

A census in a rabbit warren, needle in a haystack – numerous similes come to mind when attempting to get to grips with 2019’s plethora of events. Concern over the looming prospect of Brexit hasn’t dampened the trade’s voracious appetite for putting on a grand show, and next year promises to be no exception.

Looking ahead: Robin Copestick, MD, Copestick Murray

Published: 02 January, 2019

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Joe Fattorini: Wine, bottle, decanter, ZOMBIES, corkscrew

Published: 02 January, 2019

Joe Fattorini contemplates the Hedwig von Restorff effect and how contextual isolation can become a money-spinner

Looking ahead: Miles McInnes, Jascots Wine Merchants

Published: 29 December, 2018

WSTA reiterates ‘duty rise’ and ‘no deal' Brexit concerns to government

Published: 20 December, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week reiterated the “bleak picture” a ‘no deal Brexit’, combined with the pending duty rise, would paint for UK wine importers.