Bordeaux targets YouTube generation with new UK campaign

The Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB) has launched a new digital campaign has launched to increase awareness of Bordeaux wines in the UK market - a major market for wine exports from the region.

Q&A: Robert Cooke, beers, wines & spirits director, Tesco

Buoyed by October’s encouraging interim results, Tesco is heading into the festive season with a hand in the on-trade for the first time, thanks to its merger with cash-and-carry group Booker. Jo Gilbert speaks to BWS director Robert Cooke about what the deal means for alcoholic drinks sales at the UK’s biggest grocer

Global wine markets: China shines as Brexit Britain picks up wooden spoon

The second annual ProWein Business Report looking at the attractiveness of international export markets for wine has placed China in pole position for the first time.

Freixenet-Copestick merger to create sparkling super supplier

UK-based wine supplier and brand owner Copestick Murray and Cava giant Freixenet have revealed plans to merge as of January 1.

Japan prepares to take on the world at second Wines of Japan tasting

As Japan continues to make waves in whisky, pushing outwards with its own distinctive style and winning awards left, right and centre, wine is poised to follow suit. Harpers joined Sarah Abbott MW at a recent Wines of Japan tasting – the follow-up to the inaugural UK event in February this year. We discovered a country ready to build on the newly signed free trade deal with Europe and take on the wine world.

Insights: Focus on fizz

Drawing on sparkling wine research carried out with Wines Direct, Harpers assesses the state of play

Europe ups its craft game as new leader of NPD

Europe is reclaiming its reputation as the hub of the beer world as it overtakes the US as the biggest driver of NPD in the craft segment. Jo Gilbert looks at the re-emergence of the world’s oldest beer market.

Ban on post duty point dilution could hammer British made and low abv wine

A change to legislation in the 2018 Budget policy document could have a significant impact on products made from concentrate in the UK, including British made wine, low abv wines, RTDs, sherry-style drinks and flavoured ciders – anything which is diluted after fermentation.

Pernod Ricard looks to Canada for latest premium gin

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

Black Tower chooses low cal range for new campaign

Leading German brand Black Tower has announced it will be highlighting its low calorie range ahead of the festive season with a new neck collar campaign.

UK the fourth most expensive EU country to buy alcohol and tobacco in

The UK has been pinpointed as the fourth most costly country in the EU when it comes to buying alcohol and tobacco.

Missed opportunity: What a rise with inflation means for the UK wine trade

Pub landlords and spirits importers will be breathing a sigh of relief this morning, but not the nation’s wine trade – which is looking at an extra £90 million bill in duty next year.

Artadi joins Pol Roger

Pol Roger Portfolio has announced it will be distributing the wines of Spanish producer Bodegas Artadi, bringing the full range to the UK from November 1.

Low disease pressure and minimal intervention casts warm glow over UK wine industry

Demand for craft spirits in the US shows no sign of slowing

The appetite for craft spirits in the United States - arguably the nation behind the boom in craft drinks worldwide - still packs a major punch new research suggests. 

Maison Sichel teams up with Davy’s for latest promotion in “bedrock” indie trade

Bordeaux stalwarts Maison Sichel has revealed its annual promotion will be heading to Davy’s Wine Merchants this year for the 2018 Sichel Independents Initiative.

Sponsored profile: Q&A with Joao Prates, NERVIR Association

Soul Wines is an innovatve new intiative bringing together tradtional Douro producing families to give them gerater visibility on the international market. Joao Prates explains the big idea


What is Soul Wines and what are the ambitions of the Project?

Things hotting up for English wine following record-breaking summer

Producers are calling 2018’s harvest the “harvest of the century” after unusually warm climes descended on Britain this summer and autumn.

Think Whisky 2018: Wising up to whisky

Despite being the second biggest spirits category in the UK, accounting for 21% of sales (Nielsen/CGA, year to June 2018), big opportunities exist for whisk(e)y if it can grow engagement with women and younger adults, who currently shy away from the category.

South African producers thirst for English fizz

Two prominent South African wine estates are adding to the roster of overseas interest in English winemaking with plans to produce sparkling wine in the UK, Harpers has learned.