Gin - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Gin sales almost double in two years

Published: 29 March, 2019

The UK bought a record breaking 73 million bottles of gin last year across the on and off-trade (Nielsen/CGA), with off-trade sales peaking in the run up to Mother's Day.

Blossom Hill aims to inject growth into wine category with sparkling gin

Published: 19 March, 2019

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has revealed the UK launch of Blossom Hill Gin Fizz in a “ground-breaking move set to inject crucial innovation and growth into the wine category”.

France versus Italy: why the French are winning the aperitif game

Published: 01 March, 2019

This year marks 100 years since the birth of the new king of the cocktail world. Named after a thirsty Count who requested gin rather than soda water to be added to his favourite tipple, the negroni has played the long game, delighting drinkers with simple balance of Campari, sweet Italian vermouth, and of course, the juniper-based spirit. Today, it is number one cocktail served with gin – even more popular than the martini.

Gin and Scotch exports hit record highs

Published: 13 February, 2019

UK gin export sales exceeded £600 million in 2018 - a new record and up 15% on the previous year, according to new figures released by HMRC.

Enotria opens up craft beer following major deals with Compass and Bidfood

Published: 07 February, 2019

Craft beer was one of the star attractions at Enotria’s latest annual portfolio tasting, as the pressure to diversify becomes stronger and stronger at the top level of distribution.

The rise of Nordic gins

Published: 31 January, 2019

The gin market is a whirlwind of activity. According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), Brits bought over 60 million bottles worth over £1.6 billion in the year to June 2018, up 38% on the same period the previous year.

‘Perfect storm’ causes glass shortage and price hikes for UK wine industry

Published: 24 January, 2019

The UK wine industry is running out of glass, creating unprecedented price hikes for bottlers - and the situation is unlikely to be resolved before 2020.

Gin boom sees England overtake Scotland in distillery numbers

Published: 24 January, 2019

The increasing popularity of gin has seen the number of distilleries in England nudge past Scotland for the first time, according to HMRC.

HMRC now issuing two new distilling licences a week as gin continues to soar

Published: 18 January, 2019

Those expecting to see gin fall from its pedestal will have to wait a little longer.

German, Brazilian, and English wine top Majestic’s list of tipples to watch in 2019

Published: 18 December, 2018

Wines from Germany, Brazil, and at home in the UK are being tipped as some of the breakthrough trends to open the door to success for the trade in 2019.

Marston’s team create bespoke Boutique-y gin

Published: 06 December, 2018

Teams at Marston’s Rotisserie outlets throughout the UK were called on recently to submit their ideas for a bespoke gin for the pub group.

WSTA returns to Tokyo to promote homegrown wine and gin

Published: 28 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week travelled to Tokyo to showcase the quality of English wine and British gin in a bid to boost exports.

Burley ‘graciously’ exits the 45 group

Published: 23 November, 2018

Phil Burley has left the Leicester-based ’45' group of businesses, made up of 45 West, 45 St Martins and 45 Gin School.

Edinburgh Gin plans multi-million-pound distillery

Published: 16 November, 2018

Edinburgh Gin has unveiled plans to invest in a new multi-million-pound distillery in Edinburgh city centre.

Q&A: Robert Cooke, beers, wines & spirits director, Tesco

Published: 15 November, 2018

Buoyed by October’s encouraging interim results, Tesco is heading into the festive season with a hand in the on-trade for the first time, thanks to its merger with cash-and-carry group Booker. Jo Gilbert speaks to BWS director Robert Cooke about what the deal means for alcoholic drinks sales at the UK’s biggest grocer