News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Halewood opens Australian business

Published: 04 March, 2019

Halewood has expanded its global reach with the opening of a business based in Australia.

Champagne Devaux appoints new president as Gillet steps down

Published: 04 March, 2019

Champagne Devaux has appointed Pascal Dubois as its new president following Laurent Gillet stepping down after more than 30 years.

Quality drink offer increasingly important in tough casual dining market

Published: 01 March, 2019

The perceived quality and value for spend delivered by operators in the casual dining market is the strongest driver both of customer retention and new footfall, according to on-trade insights consultancy CGA.

The week that was

Published: 01 March, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Familia Torres & Jackson Family wineries join together to fight climate change

Published: 01 March, 2019

Spain's Familia Torres and California's Jackson Family wineries have, for over a decade now been taking very large steps to change business approaches in order to combat Climate Change. While they've been working on these projects separately to date, yesterday in Barcelona, Miguel Torres Sr. and Katie Jackson jointly announced the creation of the organisation, "International Wineries for Climate Action".

Quinta da Aveleda turns to rosé in £6 million Algarve investment

Published: 01 March, 2019

Portuguese wine producer Quinta da Aveleda has announced a £6 million investment in the Algarve, which is expected to primarily focus on the production of rosé wines.

Hatch Mansfield achieves BRC standard

Published: 28 February, 2019

Hatch Mansfield has been awarded an AA certificate for the BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers.

UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge winner announced

Published: 28 February, 2019

Jitka Auermüllerová from 67 Pall Mall has emerged top of the leader board in the UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2019.

WSTA and LWF reveal results of UK importers Brexit survey

Published: 28 February, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed the results of a survey carried out at its recent roundtable, held in partnership with the London Wine Fair (LWF), looking ahead to the potential effects of various Brexit outcomes on the trade.

Thc could replace abv as consumers look to cannabis for an “intoxicating buzz”

Published: 28 February, 2019

Experts have warned that alcoholic drinks is the FMCG category most likely to be under threat from cannabis, which will be at the heart of a “global paradigm shift” over the next decade.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

Hatch Mansfield joins the IMW’s international supporter community

Published: 27 February, 2019

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has announced Hatch Mansfield has joined its international supporter community.

Garçon launches 10-bottle case to slash carbon emissions and costs

Published: 27 February, 2019

Garçon Wines, inventor of the 750ml flattened wine bottle, has launched a 10- bottle case it claims will slash carbon emissions and costs.

Jascots teams up with The Uncommon

Published: 27 February, 2019

Jascots Wine Merchants has joined forces with The Uncommon to deliver exclusively to the London on-trade.

James Hocking sets up new Californian wine agency

Published: 27 February, 2019

James Hocking, previously wine director at The Vineyard Cellars, has set up a new Californian-focused wine agency that will specialise in “boutique, family-owned wineries” and target “high end independent wine merchants, wine-focused restaurants and private clients”.

UK wine industry faces big bill and paperwork hell in no-deal Brexit

Published: 27 February, 2019

A no-deal Brexit will generate over 600,000 additional forms costing the wine industry £70 million, according to the WSTA.

Macron targets 80% ban on glyphosate

Published: 27 February, 2019

French President Emmanuel Macron has restated his belief that French vineyards can stop using glyphosate-based weedkillers, though he has accepted he will fall short of his original aim to ban the controversial product altogether.

Rueda DO turns focus on Rueda rather than Verdejo in renewed UK export campaign

Published: 26 February, 2019

Boosted by a 2018 bumper crop, the Rueda DO wine board is this year renewing its export campaign switching its focus from the region’s predominant Verdejo grape variety to Rueda.

Asia de Cuba to close after 20 years

Published: 26 February, 2019

Asia de Cuba, the restaurant at St Martins Lane hotel which introduced Chino-Latino cuisine to London, will close at the end of February.

Bunnahabhain Distillery in £10.5m upgrade

Published: 26 February, 2019

Bunnahabhain Distillery has begun a three year overhaul after owner Distell International invested £10.5 million to undergo an “extensive upgrade and refresh” of the distillery.