Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Adnams adds Karen Hester as executive director

Published: 07 October, 2014

Suffolk brewer and distiller Adnams has added Karen Hester to its main board as an executive director.

Barworks expands 5cc cocktail bar concept to fourth site

Published: 07 October, 2014

Barworks, the operator behind a host of London's trendiest drinking dens, has opened its fourth 5cc cocktail bar below its Electricity Showrooms venue in Hoxton Square.

Mark Dally on driving wine across Fuller's 400 pubs and hotels

Published: 06 October, 2014

Think of Fuller's and you think of beer. The west London-based group owns nearly 400 pubs and hotels, and the guest beer and take-home market has made its London Pride one of the most popular ale brands in the UK, writes Nigel Huddleston.

Gordon Ramsay to open Heddon Street Kitchen off London's Regent Street

Published: 06 October, 2014

Heddon Street Kitchen is to be the latest London opening from the ever expanding Gordon Ramsay Group taking its portfolio of restaurants to 13.

No 3 Gin cocktail winner turns to Beatrix Potter's Mr Tod for inspiration

Published: 03 October, 2014

Let's be honest the average top bartender is not the kind of person who would admit turning to Beatrix Potter for inspiration. Let alone the kind of bartender who would be allowed to play along the back bar of the uber cool City Social in Old Broad Street in London.

Campaign for Real Ale appoints Tim Page as new chief executive

Published: 29 September, 2014

The Campaign for Real Ale has appointed charity veteran Tim Page as its new chief executive.

Hospitality industry to create 6,000 jobs for young people by Christmas

Published: 25 September, 2014

The British hospitality industry will create 6,000 new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds by the end of the year, says the industry's trade association.

Mitchells & Butlers adds 195 sites in past year

Published: 25 September, 2014

Mitchells & Butlers, one of the largest operators within the UK market, has been quietly growing the number of site throughout the year and has added 195 new sites over the past year.

Wine importer Red Squirrel sees wholesale business grow fivefold in three months

Published: 24 September, 2014

Chiswick wine importer Red Squirrel Wine has seen its wholesale business take off after it beefed up its portfolio and revamped its logo and website.

Matthew Clark appoints new wine buyer

Published: 24 September, 2014

On-trade wine supplier Matthew Clark has appointed Judith Nicholson as assistant wine buyer to help expand the group's wine portfolio.

Diageo's Smirnoff vodka launches £15m campaign

Published: 23 September, 2014

Smirnoff vodka has launched a £15 million marketing campaign - including TV advertising - in order to grow the category and make it more accessible.

The Harrow's Roger Jones follows Heston Blumenthal by taking his restaurant offer overseas

Published: 22 September, 2014

Heston Blumenthal is not the only British Michelin-starred chef to be taking his restaurant overseas in the new year as Rojer Jones is set to travel to South Africa to embark on a restaurant tour with his award-winning The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

What to expect at SITT Autumn: Richard Dudley Craig, Dudley Craig Wines

Published: 19 September, 2014

Here Richard Dudley Craig explains what Dudley Craig Wines will have on show at the SITT Autumn tasting on September 24 at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.

Buckingham Schenk sees Argentina and Prosecco sales soar

Published: 18 September, 2014

Buckingham Schenk see sales of its Argentinian Viñalba brand rocket, with Prosecco also leading the charge while pre-filled goblets hit sales of 1 million.

Heston Blumenthal to open Melbourne version of Fat Duck on February 3

Published: 17 September, 2014

The Australian version of Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant is to open in Melbourne in February 3 2015 with reservations being taken from October 8.

Jackson Estate's Matt Patterson-Green showcases his Kiwi wines at Chiltern Firehouse

Published: 17 September, 2014

"I believe Marlborough will be known for producing the best Pinot Noir over time," declares Matt Patterson Green, winemaker of Jackson Estate. In his glass is one expression, Vintage Widow 2012, named, he says, "after women who lose their men to the vineyards..."

On-trade hit by decline in spirits sales across all venues

Published: 17 September, 2014

Declining year-on-year spirits sales in the on-trade will have brand owners hoping for a substantial pick up in the last few months of the year leading up to Christmas.

Independents all set for September's Specialist Importers Trade Tasting

Published: 16 September, 2014

Next week's SITT (Specialist Importers Trade Tasting) promises another sell out event offering independent wine merchants, restaurants, bars, pubs and sommeliers the chance to taste wines specifically targeted at them from around the world.

The Grafton in London wins Pub of the Year in Great British Pub awards

Published: 12 September, 2014

The Grafton in Kentish Town, north London, has been named the Pub of the Year in Harpers' sister title, The Publican's Morning Advertiser's Great British Pub Awards held last night.

Argentina must celebrate its "rock and roll" winemakers to grow says Gaucho's Phil Crozier

Published: 11 September, 2014

If Argentina is to contine to grow in the UK then it needs to do more to celebrate, promote and tell the story of its winemakers and make them the "personalities" of their wines, according to Phil Crozier, head of wine at the Gaucho Group of Argentinian restaurants.