Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Seltzers: Turning on the hard sell

Published: 04 February, 2022

A hard seltzer might sound like a hangover cure to us Brits, but their power in the low-calorie, low-abv proposition, is not to be sniffed at. Jo Gilbert reports.

Generation sobriety turns to fine wine for alternative investments

Published: 03 February, 2022

Gen Z investors are turning to fine wine to boost their finances in the wake of the pandemic.

British office workers excited about return to pub lunch occasions

Published: 03 February, 2022

Despite the inevitable trepidation surrounding the Omicron variant, 85% of British office workers say they are looking forward to a return to the office and getting to spend more time with colleagues – with work social events high on the agenda.

Entries now open for Tio Pepe Challenge 2022

Published: 03 February, 2022

After a two year break due to the pandemic, Gonzalez Byass is once again hosting the world’s largest international sherry cocktail competition.

Pernod Ricard UK expands portfolio with new super-premium US whisky

Published: 02 February, 2022

Pernod Ricard has announced plans to distribute American whisky Rabbit Hole in the UK – the first European market to receive allocations of the brand.

Cotswolds Distillery announces plans for 'major expansion'

Published: 01 February, 2022

Leading craft spirit producer Cotswolds Distillery has unveiled plans to construct a new dedicated distillery for its whisky, allowing the firm to dramatically increase production.

Trivento double-digit growth in 'shrinking wine market'

Published: 01 February, 2022

Leading Argentinean wine brand Trivento is celebrating UK retail sales growth of 11.6% by value in the past year, according to data released by Nielsen.

Resetting Australia

Published: 01 February, 2022

With export markets yo-yoing in the wake of China’s trade tariffs, Australia is once again reassessing its place in the wine world. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Five minutes with Jerome Jacober, Eminent Wines

Published: 01 February, 2022

As the frontrunner of celebrity-endorsed wines with the UB40 Red, Red Wine range, Eminent Wines’ founder and CEO explains to Jo Gilbert how famous faces – and a compelling story – can help brands to stand out.

Diageo unveils plans to construct Guinness microbrewery and culture hub in London

Published: 31 January, 2022

Multinational drinks firm Diageo is to invest £73 million in building a Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard attraction, incorporating a new microbrewery and culture hub in Covent Garden.

Guidance offered on new food calorie labelling regulations, which folds in no and low drinks

Published: 31 January, 2022

New legislation is set to be implemented this year, requiring businesses with over 250 employees to display calories information for food products sold to consumers.

Tequila raises the bar

Published: 31 January, 2022

Once known by its ‘slammer’ reputation, tequila is carving out a new niche in UK spirits with optimistic sales as a premium sipping drink, writes Jo Gilbert.

Registrations open for Bordeaux Hot 50 Selection 2022

Published: 28 January, 2022

The CIVB (Bordeaux Wine Council) has invited retailers, agents and producers to submit wines for the Bordeaux Hot 50 Selection competition, now in its third year.

Wine Paris to feature Harpers debate on UK alcohol duty crisis

Published: 28 January, 2022

The upcoming Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris trade symposiums will host an Agile Media sponsored event, brining together key stakeholders in the trade to debate the impact of the government's proposed changes to the duty system.

Broadcaster Helena Nicklin slams alcohol duty hikes as sexist

Published: 27 January, 2022

A member of the Amazon Prime series Three Drinkers has condemned Rishi Sunak’s proposed changes to the duty system as “punishing female consumers”, highlighting that wine is the most popular alcoholic drink among women in the UK.

David Sandys-Renton passes away

Published: 27 January, 2022

Wine pioneer David Sandys-Renton has died, aged 85.

Multiplying out

Published: 26 January, 2022

In the first of a regular look at the multiples, Andrew Catchpole sizes up the general health of the sector.

Hospitality entrepreneur launches government petition to extend visa programme

Published: 26 January, 2022

In light of the ongoing staff crisis facing the UK's hospitality sector, bar owner Sunny Hodge has raised a petition to extend the Skilled Worker Visa programme, arguing that it should be expanded to include non-managerial on-trade positions such as sommeliers, cocktail bartenders and maitre’ds.

Trade urged to act ahead of duty review consultation deadline

Published: 26 January, 2022

With just four days to go before the 30 January consultation deadline on the UK Government’s proposed changes to the way excise duty on alcohol is calculated, the last chance to be heard is fast closing in.