Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

IWC UK Merchant Awards returns

Published: 11 May, 2018

The IWC UK Merchant Awards is back for another year, with limited time remaining to sign up.

Fells welcomes Yalumba into portfolio

Published: 11 May, 2018

Iconic Australian winery Yalumba is to join John E Fells, bringing its portfolio of antipodean estates into the fold, while also taking an equity stake in the UK-based company.

Provence rosé faces supply slump

Published: 11 May, 2018

The sweltering bank holiday temperatures, higher than average winter sales and poor French harvests could mean a “potential draught” for rosé wines from Provence, according to Majestic.

Inverarity Morton partnership to bring New York wines to the UK

Published: 10 May, 2018

A new partnership between European importer New York Wines and Glasgow-based wine and spirits specialists Inverarity Morton is primed to introduce a new range of wines from New York State to the UK market.

UK sales of Aperol and Campari drive group growth

Published: 08 May, 2018

Campari’s stable of brands continue to drive “sustainable growth” for the group, including Aperol and Campari, where sales rose in the UK during the first three months of the year.

Fairtrade on the rise

Published: 08 May, 2018

The Co-op’s new conversion of its major own-label range will boost the UK’s Fairtrade wine volumes by 20%. Jo Gilbert explores a category on the rise.

Tim Atkin MW: And then there were three

Published: 04 May, 2018

Does anyone remember Safeway? In its day, it had one of the best supermarket wine ranges in the UK – diverse, daring and invariably well selected.

Sherry taking the flor

Published: 04 May, 2018

A new approach is needed in the battle to revitalise sherry’s image, argues James Lawrence

Think Gin: The big flavour debate

Published: 01 May, 2018

The colourful world of flavoured gin was a hot topic at yesterday’s annual Harper’s Think Gin event, coming up time and time again as sub-section driving overall gin growth, yet at the same time dividing opinion on what role it should play within the wider category.

Talking about the future: The Alexa effect

Published: 30 April, 2018

With intelligent personal assistants helping consumer engagement to become increasingly human and conversational, Jo Gilbert asks what’s in store for wines and spirits

UK restaurants feeling the heat

Published: 20 April, 2018

Wine is struggling for attention in a UK restaurant sector experiencing a “perfect storm” of adverse trading conditions, according to a new report.

Michael Sager to launch new restaurant and bar concept

Published: 20 April, 2018

A new restaurant and bar called Fare Bar + Canteen, is set to open in London’s Clerkenwell, offering a 250-strong wine list and 30+ wines, beers and cocktail on tap.

Californian producers target London and Edinburgh

Published: 20 April, 2018

The annual Golden State Tasting is to take place in Scotland for the first time to capitalise on the popularity of Californian wines north of the border.

Liberty Wines' premium on-trade report has its eye on the high ground

Published: 16 April, 2018

In an exclusive Harpers preview, Liberty Wines has shared its upcoming Premium On-trade Wine Report, identifying where growth opportunities still lie. Andrew Catchpole picks out the highlights

Amathus Drinks to distribute Champagne Duval-Leroy

Published: 03 April, 2018

Amathus Drinks has announced a new partnership with Vertus producer Champagne Duval-Leroy.

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Young Sommelier 2018 revealed

Published: 27 March, 2018

The UK arm of leading international gastronomic body Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB has announced its Young Sommelier 2018.

UK trade responds as EU27 approves negotiating guidelines for next phase of Brexit and transition deal

Published: 23 March, 2018

On Friday in Brussels EU leaders finally agreed to adopt negotiating guidelines for the future of EU-UK relations, paving the way for the next phase of talks to get underway, after months of wrangling over the details.

Influential Italian wine pioneer Renato Trestini remembered by trade

Published: 23 March, 2018

The UKs pioneering Italian wine champion Renato Trestini was remembered at his funeral yesterday (Thursday) for his role in establishing high-end Italian estates in the UK market from the early 1970s.

Spain raises the stakes

Published: 23 March, 2018

Spain has long been known as the commercial hub of Europe’s classic winemaking regions – a category that has traditionally seen off-trade sales veer towards its £5-£10 “sweet spot” or lower, to the sub-£5, rather than its top tier of lauded pagos.