Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Exton Park launches new 'multi vintage' Blanc de Blancs

Published: 16 September, 2021

Sparkling wine producer Exton Park has unveiled a new 100% Chardonnay cuvée based exclusively on reserve wines.

Bibendum adds Lenz Moser project and six more to portfolio

Published: 15 September, 2021

UK premium wine and spirits distributor Bibendum Wine has added seven new producers to its on-trade portfolio, spanning an English Charmat to Portuguese trailblazers and a team-up between Austrian icons Lenz Moser and Markus Huber.

Lebanon: Fuel for thought

Published: 15 September, 2021

Lebanon’s latest winemaking challenge is a fuel crisis that has left wineries fighting for power, as Andrew Catchpole reports

Hospitality sector remains in ‘fragile state’

Published: 15 September, 2021

Following the UK government's unveiling of its strategy for managing Covid-19 during the autumn and winter months, UK Hospitality (UKH) chief executive Kate Nicholls has issued a stark warning about the importance of allowing businesses to remain open.

‘Return to normality’ impacts sales of BWS in grocery sector

Published: 14 September, 2021

The latest data released by Kantar indicates that UK drinkers are consuming less alcohol at home, with total grocery sales of BWS falling significantly over the past three months.

Inflexible hospitality sector faces continued labour crisis, as job vacancies surge past one million

Published: 14 September, 2021

The UK’s hospitality industry must embrace more flexible working patterns if it intends to survive, a leading commentator has claimed.

Masi wraps organic range in sustainable style

Published: 09 September, 2021

Italian wine producer Masi Estates has launched a new range of organic wines in 100% sustainable packaging to meet growing consumer concern over sustainability.

Bancroft takes on distribution of Juliet Victor Tokaj

Published: 09 September, 2021

Bancroft Wines has teamed up with Tokaj producer Juliet Victor for the UK distribution of its single vineyard Furmints and sweet wines.

UK’s 50 Best Indies 2021: 11-20

Published: 09 September, 2021

Welcome to the release of our fourth tranche of our 50 Best Indies list, from 11-20, also featuring all of those that have made it into the ranking from 21-50.

Cambridge’s Veni Vidi Bibi charity bash delivers for children

Published: 09 September, 2021

Cambridge Wine Merchants inaugural Veni Vidi Bibi charity dinner managed to raise £5,735 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices in one sitting.

Treasury commits to 100% renewables by 2024

Published: 09 September, 2021

Treasury Wine Estates’ (TWE) brands are joining the RE100 global renewable power initiative, a move which will see the company switch to 100% renewable electricity by 2024 across its global operations.

Online BWS sales buck downward trend

Published: 08 September, 2021

New data has revealed that turnover from UK online retail slumped in the month of August, with three notable exceptions.

Fine wine becoming a ‘regular luxury’ for British consumers

Published: 08 September, 2021

A recent survey commissioned by fine wine merchant Bordeaux Index suggests that the pandemic has led to a surge of interest in fine wine buying – either for immediate consumption or longer term investment.

Majestic unveils national cork recycling scheme

Published: 07 September, 2021

Majestic has unveiled details of a nationwide cork recycling scheme in over 200 of its stores.

Continued plantings spell new growth for English vino at Wine GB

Published: 06 September, 2021

Continued plantings across England and Wales are expected to insulate the growing England and Welsh wine industry against climate issues and smaller-than-usual crop sizes.

Ready-made cocktails take off

Published: 06 September, 2021

Pre-batched cocktails hit the spot when it comes to consistency, reducing waste and prep time, according to their advocates, as Lisa Riley reports.

HGV shortage could lead to a watered-down Christmas, Accolade warns

Published: 06 September, 2021

Accolade Wines has warned that truck driver shortages could have a major impact on Christmas sales, with on-going recruitment issues likely to limit stocks and drive up costs.

UKH: ‘Mandatory vaccine passports unworkable’

Published: 06 September, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has said a mandatory Covid vaccine passports scheme for certain venues and events would be unworkable, cause conflict between staff and customers and would force business to deal with “complex equality rules”.

Billecart-Salmon appoints Crosby UK MD

Published: 02 September, 2021

Billecart-Salmon UK has appointed its current vice president Chris Crosby as its new MD of the UK.

Long read: Are hard seltzers over before they really began?

Published: 02 September, 2021

Richard Horwell, owner of specialist food and drink marketing and branding company Brand Relations, anticipates a hard year ahead for a fledgling drinks trend.