Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Moët Hennessy MD new addition to WSTA board

Published: 06 February, 2025

Julie Nollet, MD of Moët Hennessy for UK & Ireland, has been announced as the newest member of the WSTA executive board.

Wines of Roussillon announces campaign to support UK commercial efforts

Published: 05 February, 2025

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) has announced a three-year campaign to support its producers and importers in the UK.

Bureau de L'Occitanie London office set to close after 17 years

Published: 04 February, 2025

The Bureau de L'Occitanie, first set up to represent wines from Occitanie, including those from Languedoc, Roussillon and South-West France, will shutter on 7 March.

Laphroaig-owner Suntory begins UK commercial operations

Published: 03 February, 2025

The Japanese drinks giant, Suntory Global Spirits, has officially launched its first standalone commercial business in the UK. The move means the company is now directly in charge of the sales, marketing and distribution of its portfolio of spirits brands in the UK.

US trade wars loom as Scotch faces £600m hole in exports

Published: 03 February, 2025

A mounting global trade war between the US and its three largest trading partners has reignited concern for businesses in markets such as the UK, as the Scotch whisky industry is still recovering from a £600m hole in its finances.

American whiskey shipments brought forward to protect against tariffs

Published: 31 January, 2025

Premium spirits company Luxco has brought forward its transatlantic shipping schedules of American whiskey amidst uncertainty about trade tariffs between the UK, EU and US.

Hidden Sea to be bottled in UK in sustainability push

Published: 31 January, 2025

Kingsland Drinks, the Manchester-based supplier, will bottle The Hidden Sea's popular Sauvignon Blanc at its Irlam facility from 2025, which could result in a 42% reduction in global transportation requirements.

EU wine exports to Chinese mainland in major decline says new report

Published: 11 December, 2024

Eurostat, a Directorate-General of the European Commission, has released its preliminary figures on wine exports from eight European producing countries.

Drinks Trust appoints new CEO

Published: 06 November, 2024

The Drinks Trust has appointed Nicky Burston as its new chief executive, taking over leadership of the charity dedicated to supporting people in the UK drinks and hospitality industry.

Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 ranking: 40-31 revealed

Published: 01 October, 2024

This week marks the launch of our Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 results, singling out and celebrating the best in the business when it comes to supplying wines, spirits and beers.

Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 ranking: 50-41 revealed

Published: 30 September, 2024

This week marks the launch of our Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 results, singling out and celebrating the best in the business when it comes to supplying wines, spirits and beers.

Bacardi announces new leadership in the UK & Ireland

Published: 30 April, 2024

Bacardi has announced two new major appointments, with Steve Young taking on the newly created role of business unit director for the UK & Ireland, while Amanda Almond becomes MD of northern Europe.

50 Best Indies 2024: The full rundown

Published: 15 January, 2024

Meet our 50 Best Indies 2024, celebrating the most dynamic and quality focused merchants in this ever-vibrant sector

50 Best Indies 2024 ranking: Top 10 revealed

Published: 12 January, 2024

Today we conclude the rollout of our 50 Best Indies 2024 results with a recording of the live unveiling of our Top 10 indie merchants, who joined us at Wild by Tart in London, unveiling the best in the business in the UK.

50 Best Indies 2024 ranking: 30-21 revealed

Published: 10 January, 2024

This week we continue the rollout of our 50 Best Indies 2024 results, celebrating the top merchants from across this dynamic and ever-engaging sector.

Nick Gillett: How the duty rise reveals the lack of duty to business

Published: 08 August, 2023

It doesn’t seem to matter what flavour of government you have at the moment – when it comes to the spirits and hospitality industries, there’s a stench of incompetence. In Scotland we have the incredibly public failure of the DRS scheme, which, as a result, has wasted millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money. But don’t be fooled – it really is no better, south of the border. Westminster will raise you a cock up, in the form of the increased duty rates.

Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino welcomes three new members

Published: 30 June, 2023

The Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino (GOCV), has announced the three newest additions to its ranks. The three new Caballeros were selected for their efforts in promoting Spanish wines to UK audiences and were inaugurated into the organisation at the 38th annual Investiture Dinner at the Landmark London Hotel on 29 June.

Berkmann adds Kiwi bite with Dog Point

Published: 05 June, 2023

Berkmann Wine Cellars is strengthening its New Zealand offering with the addition of Dog Point Vineyard to its portfolio.

Budget misery for UK drinks trade

Published: 15 March, 2023

The trade is facing what has been dubbed a ‘double-pronged tax hike’ following the UK’s Spring Budget earlier this week (15 March), with the freeze on alcohol duty increases to end on 1 August 2023.