News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WineGB encourages indie retailers to support English Wine Week

Published: 01 May, 2026

WineGB is asking independent retailers across the country to take part in its English Wine Week campaign, which is returning for another year.

US tariffs on Scotch lifted following King’s visit

Published: 01 May, 2026

US president Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on Scotch whisky and other controls will be removed following King Charles’ visit to the United States.

Curious Vines partners with MMD to create Diploma Diversity Bursary

Published: 30 April, 2026

Curious Vines has partnered with Maisons Marques et Domaines (MMD) – the UK subsidiary of Champagne Louis Roederer – to create the Diploma Diversity Bursary.

South Africa set for zero-tariff wine exports to China

Published: 30 April, 2026

South African wine exported to China is set to benefit from zero-tariff access to the Chinese market. The agreement commences on 1 May 2026 and will last for an initial period of two years.

Fells: Two new South African estates join portfolio

Published: 30 April, 2026

Importer Fells has announced the addition of two South African producers to its portfolio: Kaapzicht from Stellenbosch and Elgin’s Paul Clüver.

Grupo Peñaflor-owner scales up with acquisition of Off-Piste Wines

Published: 30 April, 2026

International holding company Terold Invest – which controls Grupo Peñaflor and WX Wines – has announced the acquisition of Cheltenham-based brand developer and distributor Off-Piste Wines.

Quinta do Noval declares 2024 vintage port

Published: 29 April, 2026

Quinta do Noval has declared three 2024 vintages – Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2024; Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port 2024; and Quinta do Passadouro Vintage Port 2024.

Langlois, Hubert Brochard MD François-Régis de Fougeroux passes away

Published: 29 April, 2026

The accidental passing of MD of Loire estates Langlois and Hubert Brochard François-Régis de Fougeroux has been announced.

Renewed strike action to take place at Encirc plant

Published: 29 April, 2026

Over 100 workers at bottle manufacturer and filler Encirc's Elton plant are planning to stage further strikes (from 3-15 May and 1-15 June), after previous action finished yesterday (28 April).

Ocado data shows mid-strength drinks ‘boom’

Published: 29 April, 2026

Online supermarket Ocado has released research which shows that demand for mid-strength drinks is “booming”.

Enotria adds first Chinese wine to its portfolio

Published: 28 April, 2026

Enotria has added its first Chinese wine to its premium portfolio with producer Chateau Changyu-Moser XV.

New survey highlights ongoing concerns over discrimination and inclusion in UK drinks sector

Published: 27 April, 2026

The trade is facing renewed scrutiny over workplace culture, harassment, and discrimination, as new research published by Drinks United highlights significant shortcomings in employee treatment and reporting practices across the sector.

Kingsland Drinks secures £65m funding deal

Published: 27 April, 2026

The Kingsland Drinks Group has finalised a £65m funding package from Barclays, with support from consultancy firm RSM UK, as it looks to accelerate growth under new leadership.

The Drinks Trust to host golf fundraiser

Published: 27 April, 2026

Leading charity The Drinks Trust is hosting a special fundraiser at Denham Golf Club on 21 May - an opportunity for trade professionals to channel their inner Tiger Woods.

Wynn announces trophy-winning Chinese wines

Published: 27 April, 2026

The trophy-winning wines from the third edition of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards have been announced.

Garda drives innovation with Crémant and lower alcohol wines

Published: 27 April, 2026

Northern Italy’s Garda DOC is best known as an ‘umbrella’ appellation, overlapping territories such as Lugana, Bardolino, Valpolicella, Soave and six others besides, offering up a medley of varieties and styles from the surrounding Veneto vineyards. Created in 1996, it offers greater flexibility to producers than the historic regional DOCs and, as such, it is on the march, pushing two new styles of wine that the Consorzio believes will be an asset to the collective region.

Nick Gillett: Building a belated ‘boom’ for brandy

Published: 27 April, 2026

Those of us in the spirits world are well aware of the ‘booms’ that catapult a category to popularity. Gin enjoyed a mammoth one in the noughties; rum has been enjoying a similar (but steadier) one for the last decade. And I thoroughly hope that brandy will experience the same sort of cultural redemption arc – we just might have to work a little harder to get it.

Levenbank Distillery announces first ever scotch bottling

Published: 24 April, 2026

Loch Lomond Brewery-owned Levenbank Distillery has unveiled that its first ever scotch bottling is now up for pre-sale. The Dumbarton-based business’s inaugural single grain whisky will hit the market in 2029.

Eden Mill Distillery appoints new CEO

Published: 24 April, 2026

St Andrews spirits producer Eden Mill Distillery has unveiled its new CEO, Steven Kersley (pictured). The appointment follows the October 2025 acquisition of the business by Ruby Capital, a Dundee-based private investment firm.