Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

GinKing kicks off wave of NPD

Published: 21 March, 2019

GinKing will add a range of new variants to its portfolio this spring, starting with the launch of GinKing Original Rosé.

Blossom Hill aims to inject growth into wine category with sparkling gin

Published: 19 March, 2019

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has revealed the UK launch of Blossom Hill Gin Fizz in a “ground-breaking move set to inject crucial innovation and growth into the wine category”.

France versus Italy: why the French are winning the aperitif game

Published: 01 March, 2019

This year marks 100 years since the birth of the new king of the cocktail world. Named after a thirsty Count who requested gin rather than soda water to be added to his favourite tipple, the negroni has played the long game, delighting drinkers with simple balance of Campari, sweet Italian vermouth, and of course, the juniper-based spirit. Today, it is number one cocktail served with gin – even more popular than the martini.

Gin and Scotch exports hit record highs

Published: 13 February, 2019

UK gin export sales exceeded £600 million in 2018 - a new record and up 15% on the previous year, according to new figures released by HMRC.

Enotria opens up craft beer following major deals with Compass and Bidfood

Published: 07 February, 2019

Craft beer was one of the star attractions at Enotria’s latest annual portfolio tasting, as the pressure to diversify becomes stronger and stronger at the top level of distribution.

Nelson’s Gin Distillery strikes deal with Sovereign Beverage Company

Published: 07 February, 2019

Nelson’s Gin Distillery has announced a partnership with Sovereign Beverage Company to drive the global distribution of its spirits.

Manly Spirits arrives in the UK

Published: 06 February, 2019

Manly Spirits has launched a range of spirits in the UK, following “huge success” in Australia since it launched in April 2017.

The rise of Nordic gins

Published: 31 January, 2019

The gin market is a whirlwind of activity. According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), Brits bought over 60 million bottles worth over £1.6 billion in the year to June 2018, up 38% on the same period the previous year.

Gin boom sees England overtake Scotland in distillery numbers

Published: 24 January, 2019

The increasing popularity of gin has seen the number of distilleries in England nudge past Scotland for the first time, according to HMRC.

HMRC now issuing two new distilling licences a week as gin continues to soar

Published: 18 January, 2019

Those expecting to see gin fall from its pedestal will have to wait a little longer.

Quintessential Brands invests in miniature bottles production line

Published: 10 January, 2019

Quintessential Brands has installed a miniature bottles production line to tap the growing mini market for spirits

Manchester Gin to launch city centre distillery

Published: 03 January, 2019

Manchester Gin has announced it is to launch a city centre distillery this summer.

German, Brazilian, and English wine top Majestic’s list of tipples to watch in 2019

Published: 18 December, 2018

Wines from Germany, Brazil, and at home in the UK are being tipped as some of the breakthrough trends to open the door to success for the trade in 2019.

WSTA returns to Tokyo to promote homegrown wine and gin

Published: 28 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week travelled to Tokyo to showcase the quality of English wine and British gin in a bid to boost exports.

Burley ‘graciously’ exits the 45 group

Published: 23 November, 2018

Phil Burley has left the Leicester-based ’45' group of businesses, made up of 45 West, 45 St Martins and 45 Gin School.

Vindependents gin launch flags further expansion into spirits

Published: 14 November, 2018

The Vindependents has launched its first gin, with rum, bourbon, cognac and vodka to follow, as this independent merchant member-owned buying group looks to expand its portfolio into premium spirits.

Pernod Ricard looks to Canada for latest premium gin

Published: 02 November, 2018

Pernod Ricard UK is further expanding the top end of its gin portfolio with leading Canadian brand Ungava.

The Gin Guild welcomes 23 new members

Published: 08 October, 2018

The Gin Guild has welcomed 23 new members to its fold boosting its membership to 300.

The many faces of gin

Published: 01 October, 2018

Thanks to gin’s unwaning popularity, on-trade operators are faced with a challenge when it comes to selecting from the plethora of new products and styles on offer. Clinton Cawood is here to help