News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

IMW unveils details for Adelaide Symposium

Published: 23 February, 2026

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has confirmed further details for its 11th International Symposium, which is to take place in Adelaide in April 2027.

Austrian sustainable viticulture reaches record high

Published: 23 February, 2026

The extent of Austrian vineyards which are sustainably farmed has reached an all time high for the country, with 28% of its total area under vine now in compliance with the independent Sustainable Austria programme.

Friday read: Romané Basset on charity, Champagne Scholarships and enabling the good to rise

Published: 20 February, 2026

The co-founding trustee and head of operations at the Gérard Basset Foundation talks Andrew Catchpole through the work of this remarkable charitable organisation.

Report: Widening gap between on-trade engagement and consumption

Published: 20 February, 2026

Market intelligence firm The Oxford Partnership has released its ‘snapshot’ of January 2026 for hospitality venues, which highlights what it called a “widening gap between engagement and consumption”.

Pernod Ricard sees H1 sales slump amid challenging market

Published: 19 February, 2026

French drinks heavyweight Pernod Ricard saw a 5.9% decline in organic sales to €5.25bn in the first half of its financial year. Declines were most concerning in the US and Chinese markets, falling 15% and 28%, respectively.

Flint Wines adds Bodega Noemía to its portfolio

Published: 19 February, 2026

Flint Wines has announced that it has partnered with the acclaimed Patagonian producer Bodega Noemía as its exclusive UK distributor.

Tejo region terroir Serras recognised

Published: 19 February, 2026

CVR Tejo has announced the recognition of the Portuguese region’s fourth terroir, Serras, after a regional soil study completed in 2025.

‘Blindfold is off’: Optimistic outlook at Fells portfolio tasting

Published: 18 February, 2026

At Fells’ busy annual portfolio tasting at the Thames-side IET London, a positive mood was on display, particularly from MD at the importer, Euan Mackay. After a year of government-induced challenges, he believes the business is now well adapted to recent changes.

Curious Vines partners with Académie du Vin expanding education support

Published: 18 February, 2026

Curious Vines – a UK-based community and support network for women and non-binary people in the wine industry – has partnered with the Académie du Vin Foundation to expand its Education and Development work beyond London.

Diageo expands field sales team with more than 100 new hires

Published: 18 February, 2026

Diageo GB has significantly expanded its field sales team with the recruitment of over 100 new roles.

Hospitality insolvencies lowest in two years

Published: 18 February, 2026

Released today (18 February), new figures from The Insolvency Service show that accommodation and food services insolvencies fell to their lowest level in two years in December 2025.

LWF announces first dedicated craft beer and cider space

Published: 17 February, 2026

The upcoming 2026 London Wine Fair (LWF) will introduce its first ever dedicated craft beer and cider space, through a new partnership with craft drinks festival BREW//LDN.

Harpers 30 Under 30 nominations: Deadline this Friday!

Published: 17 February, 2026

Friday (20/2) is the deadline to get your nominations in for this year’s Harpers 30 Under 30. The competition aims to celebrate the best and brightest in the wine & spirits world – from buyers to bartenders, we welcome entries from across our diverse and lively sector.

Treasury Wine Estates hit with $649m AUD loss in H1

Published: 16 February, 2026

Australian industry giant Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has posted significant losses for the first half of its financial year – $649m (all money figures detailed in AUD). This comes after settling its dispute with US distributor RNDC earlier this month and most significantly the writing down of the value of its US business in November of last year.

Liberty Wines partners with Spanish winemaker Raúl Pérez

Published: 16 February, 2026

Distributor Liberty Wines has partnered with leading Spanish winemaker Raúl Pérez (pictured) in the UK.

WSTA hits out at decision to include glass in Welsh DRS

Published: 16 February, 2026

The recent decision by the Welsh government to include single-use glass bottles in its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been criticised by the WSTA, which called the policy costly and ineffective.

Wine Paris hits international stride as numbers continue to grow

Published: 16 February, 2026

Wine Paris took a further step in establishing itself as the premier Wine and Spirits exhibition last week (7-11 February), with both visitors and exhibitors exceeding last year’s record-setting numbers.

Tim Brown appointed CEO of Jackson Family Wines

Published: 16 February, 2026

Jackson Family Wines has announced that Tim Brown (pictured) has succeeded Rick Tigner as CEO of the California-based producer.

Scotch takes 15% sales hit since Trump tariff implementation

Published: 13 February, 2026

New figures from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) have detailed the impact of US tariffs on Scotch sales across the pond. According to research, export volume sales to the States since April have fallen 15%, with value taking a 7% knock.

Trade bodies welcome Scottish rates relief

Published: 13 February, 2026

The Scottish Government has announced that it will be increasing business rates relief for hospitality and music venues from 15% to 40% for the next three years (subject to a £110,000 cap per business).