Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Limited edition ALESSANDRO M. corkscrew in promotion with MSI

Published: 13 October, 2021

MSI, the computer and gaming company, has launched a new promotion called Live in Everyday Passion, offering a free limited edition corkscrew.

UK brands soar in value but still trail global giants

Published: 29 September, 2021

The UK’s leading brands are showing positive signs of recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaping in value by 22% to reach a new record high of $278.8 (£207 billion), according to Kantar’s BrandZTM Most Valuable UK Brands 2021 ranking. However, growth rates show they are lagging behind the biggest global brands.

Condor Wines adds six new organic wines to its portfolio

Published: 28 September, 2021

A leading specialist UK importer of South American wines has expanded its range with the addition of six organic labels, made by Argentine producer Bodega Piedra Negra.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Sean Lock, wine and the value of originality

Published: 26 August, 2021

Comedian Sean Lock passed away on 16 August. Many knew him from TV, radio and his live one man shows. 8 out of 10 cats on Channel 4 was probably his biggest audience. Sean’s sparkling eyes, dead pan delivery and absurdist wit made him a true original.

Long Read: Obsessed with grapes – why wine needs to expand its brand horizons

Published: 26 August, 2021

Neil Bennett is head of strategy at creative agency LOVE, which has recently worked with brands including Laithwaites, Penfolds and Brewdog Distilling.

Villa Maria finds buyer following mounting debts

Published: 02 August, 2021

Leading New Zealand winery Villa Maria has signed a conditional agreement for the sale of its estate, three months after it officially went into receivership when it was revealed that it owed bankers NZD $212 million.

Trivento takes the top spot for Argentine wine

Published: 22 July, 2021

Concha y Toro's Trivento is celebrating becoming the leading Argentine wine brand in the world, with sales of over US$256.2m a year according to a new report from the IWSR.

Accolade acquires Lambrini

Published: 24 June, 2021

Accolade Wines has acquired Lambrini, the nation’s leading brand of Perry, Harpers can exclusively reveal.

Freixenet Copestick becomes Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s UK distributor

Published: 13 May, 2021

Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Freixenet Copestick have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement which will see the latter become the UK importer and distributor for Bordeaux’s Mouton Cadet wine brand.

Majestic brand update ditches pink stores ahead of new openings

Published: 06 May, 2021

Majestic Wine has begun an estate-wide streamlining of its brand identity by flipping over 20 vibrant pink stores to its dark grey and green livery.

Gin distiller denounces exploitation of the term 'craft'

Published: 05 May, 2021

The premium gin market is being threatened by unscrupulous distilleries bastardising the term 'craft', according to a leading niche brand.

Rioja plays a starring role in Cune’s first UK campaign

Published: 20 April, 2021

Hatch Mansfield has announced the launch of its first UK marketing campaign for Spanish label Cune, which will hone in on the brand’s Spanish heritage while promoting their range of Riojas.

Ruinart dedicates historic vineyard to biodiversity project

Published: 07 April, 2021

LVMH brand Champagne Ruinart is furthering its commitment to nurturing biodiversity in the Champagne region by switching over its 40ha historic Taissy vineyard to a biodiversity pilot project in tandem with Reforest’Action.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Britain 2021 – Fear or opportunity?

Published: 17 December, 2020

As we come to the end of this extraordinary year and look towards the future, are we filled with feelings of fear or opportunity, or a strange mix of both?

South Africa looks to higher ground

Published: 22 October, 2020

Hard hit by the pandemic, South Africa’s winemakers are proving their resilience and fighting back with an eye on higher quality and pricing. By Andrew Catchpole

Lindeman's goes carbon neutral in Europe

Published: 07 October, 2020

The Lindeman’s wine brand is set to be certified carbon neutral in Europe, thanks to a new partnership between brand-owner Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) and the Carbon Trust.

Long Read: Does sustainability sell? The new factors driving purchaser decision-making

Published: 28 September, 2020

Drawing on data from a recent survey of over 500 wine and spirits drinkers, Callum Saunders, head of planning at brand activation marketing agency Zeal Creative, shows how that focus on sustainability is increasing, not decreasing, as a result of the pressures of Covid.