Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

London Wine Week gains momentum

Published: 29 May, 2015

More than 8,000 people took part in this year's London Wine Week, which saw a series of tasting events and pop-up bars help across the capital last week.

Tesco appoints former Diageo lawyer to head up legal team

Published: 29 May, 2015

Tesco has appointed Diageo's former lawyer David Berry as its first UK legal director, according to legal publication, The Lawyer.

New viticulture research programme opens in Kent to boost English wine industry

Published: 28 May, 2015

A trial research vineyard is being established at the East Malling Research centre in Kent which aims to boost productivity and margins within the English wine industry.

Retailers and UK vineyards celebrate English Wine Week

Published: 28 May, 2015

English Wine Week kicked off this week on the bank holiday as vineyards, high street retailers, and independent merchants opened up to promote the burgeoning English wine industry.

London bar chain Dirty Martini to open seventh site

Published: 28 May, 2015

London on-trade operator CG Restaurants and Bars is set to open a new site for its Dirty Martini bar chain in Islington next month.

Gusbourne Estate set to raise £3.57m from share to boost investment

Published: 28 May, 2015

English wine producer Gusbourne Estate is looking to raise more than £3.57m to invest in its winery and brand.

Online retailer New Zealand Cellar set to open first London shop this week

Published: 27 May, 2015

Online wine retailer The New Zealand Cellar is set to open its first retail shop in London this week, which has been funded entirely through crowd-funding.

Diageo revamps Smirnoff bottles following launch of new ad campaign

Published: 27 May, 2015

Diageo is rolling out new packaging for Smirnoff following the launch of its £4.5m "We're Open' campaign across Europe earlier this month.

Liberty Wines boost New Zealand portfolio

Published: 27 May, 2015

Liberty Wines has boosted its New Zealand portfolio after signing up wine producer Akarua.

Greene King set to dispose of 16 pubs to push through acquisition of rival

Published: 27 May, 2015

Greene King is set to dispose of 16 pubs in order to push through its purchase of the Spirit Pub Company.

Crystal head vodka launches in 50cl miniatures

Published: 26 May, 2015

The Crystal Head vodka has launched in 50cl miniature bottles, which supplier Bibendum says will open up new opportunities for a fast-growing brand.

Fruit-fusion wines reaching "critical mass', Australian Vintage boss says

Published: 26 May, 2015

Fruit-fusion wines are reaching a tipping point that is seeing them readily accepted by consumers and able to be merchandised as a new category, a leading wine brand owner has claimed.

Off-Piste Wines launches varietal-led range, from the creator of 'I Heart' brand

Published: 26 May, 2015

Off-Piste Wines has launched a new mid-tier range of varietal-led wines that is targeting younger consumers in the convenience sector.

Port family opens new visitor attraction in Douro

Published: 26 May, 2015

Port family Symingtons has opened a visitor center in the Douro, which it is aiming to become a destination for tourists to Portugal.

Champagne and sparkling rises in the on-trade, but prosecco dominates the off, new report shows

Published: 22 May, 2015

Champagne and sparkling wine sales have grown in the on-trade on the back of a stabilisation of on-trade venues - but prosecco continued to dominate the off-trade, according to the fourth annual Lanson category report.

Sainsbury's works with new research centre to develop lower alcohol wines consumers want to drink

Published: 22 May, 2015

Sainsbury's has teamed up with the University of Adelaide to part-fund wine research at a new wine innovation centre in Australia that will look at developing lower alcohol wines.

Bulk Wine growth may slow, but it is not going away, debate hears

Published: 21 May, 2015

The growth of the bulk wine market may slow, but it is here to stay, according to expert panellist in a recent debate.

South Africa confidence returning as winemakers concentrate on quality, Kleine Zalze boss says

Published: 21 May, 2015

South Africa needs to evolve its premium wines and offer wines better suited to the terroir, leading South African producer has said.

Prosecco in danger of running out, industry warns

Published: 20 May, 2015

The boom in cut-price Prosecco in the supermarkets is leading supplier to fear the sparkling Italian drink may be in danger of "running out" in the UK.