Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Government hit by fall in wine-duty revenues

Published: 02 December, 2019

Wine duty receipts fell back 2.1% in the first six months of the financial year, according to data released by the government.

Mixing politics and wine

Published: 22 November, 2019

What attracted me to wine journalism nine years ago was that the stories were about the wine and the people, not cocaine-fuelled celebrity mishaps or sexual exploits involving a reverse osmosis machine. The beauty of wine was that, by and large, there was no 'news.'

WSTA adds five to board

Published: 18 November, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has dramatically expanded its board to help meet the challenges of a fast-changing trading environment, adding five new members to take the board’s total membership to 16.

Government backs down on VI-1 forms

Published: 21 October, 2019

The government has agreed to temporarily suspend the introduction of forms which were feared to create an extra layer of red tape for the wine industry in what is shaping up to be an increasingly disorderly Brexit.

Craft spirits boom drives trademark registration to record high

Published: 21 October, 2019

The booming UK craft spirits industry filed a record number of trademark registrations in the last year, according to research released today.

WSTA Brexit Seminar books out in a week

Published: 11 October, 2019

Demand has massively outstripped supply for the WSTA’s Brexit Preparedness Seminar, with the 250 places for the event booked out inside a week and dozens of names already on the waiting list.

Jerry Lockspeiser: What can the wine trade learn from Dominic Cummings?

Published: 26 September, 2019

This piece is about how to sell wine. It starts from the premise that to be successful we should get out of our wine focused ghetto and look at other sectors for learnings and inspiration. That doesn’t just mean craft gin and beer. It can be a myriad of places. Even politics.

WSTA urges government to act on concerns of industry

Published: 19 September, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) used its 2019 Industry Summit as a platform to urge the government to act on the concerns of the industry, also highlighting the “lack of political leadership replaced by heavy handed political manoeuvring”.

Wine trade faces £70m ‘paperwork’ bill in no-deal Brexit scenario

Published: 12 September, 2019

A hard Brexit is poised to land the wine trade with a £70m bill following the government pulling the cork on plans to suspend costly paperwork in the case of a no-deal scenario, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

WSTA welcomes move to reinstate duty free for travellers

Published: 11 September, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the Chancellor’s plan to reinstate duty-free for travellers moving between the UK and the EU in the event of a no deal Brexit.

WSTA announces full line up for 2019 Industry Summit

Published: 06 September, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has announced its full line up of experts poised to take the stage at the 2019 Industry Summit.

Gin boom shows no signs of slowing as total value hits £3bn

Published: 07 August, 2019

The value of the total gin category has hit £3bn suggesting that the gin bubble has yet to burst.

Brexit costs rising across trade, new WSTA report reveals

Published: 23 July, 2019

The UK drinks industry is investing heavily to counter the risk of a no-deal Brexit, a new survey of its members by the WSTA has revealed.

Think Gin debate: Innovation vs Integrity

Published: 15 July, 2019

Gin is at a crossroads and needs to tread carefully to retain its authentic credentials. Andrew Catchpole listens in on the debate at Harpers Think Gin event.

WSTA strengthens board with two new appointments

Published: 02 July, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added to new members to its board as it looks ahead to Brexit.

Saunders wins chairman role at WSTA

Published: 28 June, 2019

Michael Saunders, chief executive of Bibendum PLB, has been appointed by the WSTA as its new chairman. He takes over from outgoing chairman, Dan Jago.

Winetraders signs up Hampshire’s Exton Park

Published: 28 June, 2019

Winetraders has expanded its listings with the addition of English sparkling wine producer Exton Park.

British Ambassadors call for more British wine and spirits at international events

Published: 20 June, 2019

The UK’s Ambassadors and senior diplomats have said they want to serve more English wine and British gin.

Think Gin Debate: Innovation vs Integrity

Published: 19 June, 2019

As flavoured gins continue to drive rapid growth and innovation in the category, concern grows over how to ‘future proof’ the spirit and prevent it becoming a victim of its own success.

WSTA challenges Gove over proposed deposit return scheme

Published: 14 May, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called on Michael Gove, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, to exclude glass from a proposed deposit return scheme (DRS) aimed at reducing the use of plastic in packaging.