News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Plumpton launches nationwide viticultural apprentice scheme

Published: 18 September, 2019

Plumpton College is looking for UK wine producers to take part in the pilot group for its first nationwide viticultural apprenticeship.

Pre-Christmas campaign for Cava

Published: 18 September, 2019

Cava is to get a big promotional push in the run up to Christmas, its regulatory body has announced.

Last-minute offer halts strike action at Diageo

Published: 18 September, 2019

Proposed strike action by workers at Diageo facilities in Scotland has been called off after management and unions reached a last-minute settlement.

Consorzio Doc delle Venezie reports ‘marked declining’ but ’well-balanced’ vintage

Published: 18 September, 2019

Consorzio Doc delle Venezie has reported a good start to the 2019 harvest with a well-balanced, but reduced, crop of grapes on the Pinot Grigio vines.

Santa Rita renews partnership with the IMW

Published: 18 September, 2019

Santa Rita Estates (SRE) has announced it will continue to form part of the Institute of Master of Wine’s (IMW) international supporter community for a further three years.

Organic sparkling wine DO move sparks new Cava rift

Published: 17 September, 2019

Corpinnat and Classic Penedès producers in Catalonia have joined forces in a bid to create the world’s first certified organic sparkling wine Denominación de Origen (DO-PDO).

Fuller’s invests £2m in all-day dining venue and cocktail bar

Published: 17 September, 2019

Fuller’s has invests nearly £2m in its latest development project – upgrading The Chamberlain Hotel on Minories.

Cider is Wine alliance gains momentum with new member

Published: 17 September, 2019

Cider is Wine, the new trade alliance that aims to create a “global cider category” made from 100% apples (or pears for perry) has gained a new member.

Solid BWS and pre-mixed performance boost grocery sales

Published: 17 September, 2019

Sales at UK supermarkets were up 2.2% in the last four weeks compared to the same period last year boosted not only by the August Bank Holiday heatwave but also by a solid BWS and pre-mixed alcoholic drinks performance, according to Nielsen.

Bibendum adds host of wines

Published: 17 September, 2019

Bibendum has expanded its on-trade portfolio with a selection of wines from England, New Zealand, Italy, Greece and Uruguay.

Importers collective SPOT portfolio offers streamlined buying

Published: 17 September, 2019

Sometimes the best ideas are the most straight-forward ones; at least that’s the hope of Solano Peña-Lenzi from specialist wine importer Hispamerchants.

New global buying hub will see Aldi pool its resources across Europe

Published: 16 September, 2019

Aldi has revealed additional details of its latest move to create a wine-buying hub in Salzburg, Austria, which will have a major impact on the way the discounter buys, blends and sells wines across markets.

Weeklong celebration of Japanese exports heads to London

Published: 16 September, 2019

Japan Week is launching in London next week, giving a spotlight to the uptick of Japanese wines, spirits and sakes across the capital.

Journey’s End sets sights on number one premium slot in UK

Published: 16 September, 2019

South African estate Journey’s End has ambitious plans to become the leading premium South African label in the UK and to do so via the traditionally tough to crack on-trade.

Hallgarten boosts portfolio with Chilean and Oz producers

Published: 13 September, 2019

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has expanded its portfolio with two new producers - Chile’s Undurraga and Australia’s Tahbilk.

Amathus's inaugural tasting puts spotlight on ambitious plans to double its wine portfolio

Published: 13 September, 2019

Amathus Drinks held its first stand alone tasting of recent times this week to highlight what has been a major push into the wine category for the traditionally spirits-led company over the past few years.

Oregon exports to the UK on the up

Published: 13 September, 2019

Exports of Oregon wine to the UK continued to rise last year in line with increased demand for wine from the state across the world.

Côtes du Rhône launches wine festival

Published: 13 September, 2019

The Côtes du Rhône appellation is launching a dedicated European wine festival as it marks the first consumer roll out of its latest global campaign.

Marques de Riscal ponders breakaway Rioja Reserva move with XR launch

Published: 12 September, 2019

Marques de Riscal has released its XR Rioja Reserva 2015, a wine which the Spanish producer said heralded its push for a new category of Reserva wines.

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).