News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

London seated diner numbers fall short of pre-pandemic levels

Published: 05 October, 2022

According to data from OpenTable, the global restaurant booking system, dining numbers in London are falling short of pre-pandemic levels.

Cape Wine 2022 opens with splash of sustainable credentials

Published: 05 October, 2022

Following the hiatus of Covid, Cape Wine has bounced back, flagging the South African industry’s sustainable ambitions as it looks to recover from its severe pandemic-induced setbacks.

Liquid Icons & Gérard Basset Foundation announce recipient of inaugural diversity scholarship in spirits

Published: 05 October, 2022

Liquid Icons, the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET, have announced the recipient of the inaugural Hennessy Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship in Spirits.

Red tape cut for thousands of growing businesses

Published: 04 October, 2022

On Sunday, October 2, prime minister Liz Truss announced that red tape would be cut for thousands of growing businesses.

Ridgeview has high hopes for 2022 harvest

Published: 04 October, 2022

English sparkling wine estate Ridgeview has announced its ambitions for the 2022 harvest, citing the soaring summer temperatures as a significant contributor to excellent growing conditions.

Artémis Domaines and Maisons & Domaines Henriot unite their wine estates

Published: 04 October, 2022

The Pinault and Henriot families, owners of Artémis Domaines and Maisons & Domaines Henriot, respectively, have merged their wine estates, effective from September 30, 2022.

Amarone has an image problem, says leading producer

Published: 03 October, 2022

The Amarone della Valpolicella category needs to embrace change and restore its former global cachet, according to Stefano Cesari, owner of Brigaldara winery in the Veneto region.

Nick Gillett: Greenwashing – are you looking a little grubby?

Published: 03 October, 2022

‘Net Zero’, ‘Carbon reduction’, ‘Sustainability’, and ‘Offsetting’ – all good stuff and we’re now used to bandying these terms around like they’re going out of fashion. But whilst brands are waxing lyrical about their green credentials and how they’re busy saving the planet, how many actually are?

Whether intentionally or not, more than a few drinks brands at best ‘polishing’ their green credentials to look better than they are – and some are just lying. Beyond misleading conscious consumers and reaping undeserved competitive advantages, it pisses me off, because it’s actively halting the industry’s Net Zero progress which is where we should be placing our focus.

Armit welcomes new agencies from the southern Rhône

Published: 03 October, 2022

Armit Wines, renowned for its strong Italian portfolio, has signed an agreement to represent to Domaine le Prieuré des Papes and Domaine de la Pousterle in the UK.

Fine wine policy institute releases global sustainability report

Published: 03 October, 2022

Areni Global, a think tank dedicated to the future of fine wine, has released a ground-breaking report examining the major threats, and opportunities, facing the sector today.

Gosset Matchmakers 2022 winners announced

Published: 30 September, 2022

A chef and sommelier team from Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester has been crowned the winners of Gosset Matchmakers 2022, beating out tough competition from peers in Hampshire and Edinburgh.

Pernod predicts return to form for Christmas spirit(s)

Published: 30 September, 2022

Pernod Ricard is banking on the return of a pre-pandemic Christmas atmosphere this year, with its festive campaigns revealing a heavy focus on leveraging treating behaviours amid a tense economy, bouyed by the world cup.

Affordable Burgundy leads the charge for fine wine

Published: 30 September, 2022

Burgundy emerged as the dominant force in fine wine investment for September, Winecap has revealed in the latest analysis of its fine wine index, Wine Track, as the region grows its reputation as the leading investment area for price performance on the secondary market.

Champagne outperforms gold during Covid

Published: 29 September, 2022

Globally, we may have not been swinging from the chandeliers much over the past two years. When it comes to the secondary market however, Champagne has undergone a period of intense transformation to become one of the most attractive propositions for fine wine investors.

Armit rolls out big hitters and ‘future stars’ at London tasting

Published: 29 September, 2022

Italian specialist Armit Wines unveiled a raft of new wines at its London tasting this autumn, in addition to library vintages and big formats, while billing the ‘New Fine Wines of the Future’ among its new and existing agencies.

Aldi launches 70 new wines with the help of consumers

Published: 28 September, 2022

Newly minted Big Four retailer Aldi has unveiled its newest roster of seasonal wines, but this time with a twist in the wine-buying tale.

Waitrose spreads its bets this winter

Published: 28 September, 2022

Waitrose is doubling down on its strategy of offering ‘something for everyone’ at all price points, with a mixture of promotions and everyday low-price sales remaining key to the retailer’s approach this autumn in store and through Waitrose Cellar.

Longest serving MW passes away

Published: 28 September, 2022

David Burns has passed away, after a long and varied career in the wine trade, also having been the youngest and oldest to hold the coveted MW title.

Theatre of Wine celebrates hitting 20

Published: 28 September, 2022

London’s Theatre of Wine has turned 20, marking two decades since founder Daniel Illsley founded the merchant in Greenwich following the new wave of wine interest created by Oddbins and Majestic.