Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK gin exports stymied by Brexit and Covid-19

Published: 15 February, 2022

Exports of British gin have fallen for the second year running, according to the latest HMRC figures released yesterday.

Woodwinters expands Italian portfolio

Published: 15 February, 2022

Leading importer Woodwinters has become the exclusive UK distributor for Sordo wines.

Restaurant January sales up on pre-Covid as restrictions ease

Published: 15 February, 2022

Rising consumer confidence about safety and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions helped Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups to a modest increase in sales in January, the Coffer CGA Business Tracker has revealed.

Nyetimber announces record year as estate leads the way for English sparkling

Published: 14 February, 2022

The UK’s leading English sparkling wine brand, Nyetimber, enjoyed a record year in 2021 in both sales and production. Following its largest ever harvest, Nyetimber’s UK sales increased by 55% on the previous year. Situated in the south of England, the 30-year-old winemakers saw sales in Europe grow by a whopping 89%.

Absolut unveils new bottle design amid brand shakeup

Published: 14 February, 2022

Vodka brand Absolut has revealed a new bottle design and remixed flavoured range in what will be the brand’s biggest shake-up since its launch in 1979.

Low and no hits new highs

Published: 14 February, 2022

As low and no becomes a year-round proposition, Jo Gilbert dives into figures shared exclusively with Harpers by major UK supplier of low and no products, Enotria & Coe.

New campaign to reinvigorate sherry's image in UK

Published: 11 February, 2022

Promotional body Sherry from Spain has launched a new promotional drive in the UK market, designed to build awareness and transform sherry's image across both the on-trade and direct-to-consumer channels.

Freixenet Copestick picks up Wither Hills

Published: 10 February, 2022

Marlborough-based winery Wither Hills has joined the expanding family of Freixenet Copestick agencies, after the firm entered into a partnership with brand owner Lion New Zealand.

Soapbox: Why sustainability makes perfect business sense

Published: 10 February, 2022

Mariella Menato, strategy director at drinks design specialist Denomination, talks about the rise of sustainability as a key consumer requirement, and why today, more than ever, it is vital for business success, as well as safeguarding our planet.

Leeds and Glasgow hospitality sectors resurgent despite pandemic disruption

Published: 09 February, 2022

New research from CGA Strategy has uncovered a stark division between hospitality businesses in London and regional cities across the UK, with the latter thriving in the context of a difficult trading period, while London continues to struggle.

Dramatic rise in Franciacorta sales

Published: 09 February, 2022

Italy's premier traditional method fizz saw encouraging sales growth in 2021, jumping beyond pre-pandemic levels to a record 20.3 million bottles.

Multiples: Retail trends

Published: 08 February, 2022

A five-year snapshot of the retail world reveals just how sales of wines and spirits have been shaken up by the pandemic, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Wines of Roussillon launches three-year promotional campaign

Published: 08 February, 2022

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) has unveiled a new three year generic campaign, designed to raise the profile of the region in the UK, supporting the commercial efforts of its wine producers and importers.

Australian wine brand removes over 10 million plastic bottles from world oceans

Published: 08 February, 2022

The Hidden Sea, founded by Aussie rules football star-turned-winemaker Richie Vandenberg and Justin Moran in 2021, and brought into the UK by Kingsland Drinks, has achieved a major sustainability milestone by removing the equivalent of more than 10 million single-use plastic bottles from the ocean.

Bibendum expands portfolio with 'inspirational' South African wine brand

Published: 08 February, 2022

South African wine brand, Kumusha Wines, has appointed Bibendum as its exclusive distributor in the UK.

Vida's European union

Published: 08 February, 2022

Mining the “forgotten Old World” for terroir-driven wines, Vida’s launch to the UK on-trade and indies is championing alternative flavours and grapes. Andrew Catchpole gets a taste from frontman Olivier Freymuth

Hospitality industry braced for soaring inflation

Published: 07 February, 2022

As the cost of living crisis and soaring energy bills continue to affect households across the UK, many in the hospitality sector are predicting double-digit price rises, inevitably to be passed on to consumers.

Ecommerce to remain key driver as US online alcohol sales hit $6.1 billion

Published: 04 February, 2022

Ecommerce is becoming a major force in global retail, with online sales of BWS achieving a total value of $6.1 billion in the US market last year.

Occitanie Tasting returns to London after three year hiatus

Published: 04 February, 2022

The 10th edition of the Occitanie Annual Trade Tasting will showcase a diverse range of wines from the South of France, featuring over 300 labels produced in the largest wine region in the world.

Sales of BWS resurgent in hospitality sector after relaxation of restrictions

Published: 04 February, 2022

The easing of Covid-19 restrictions is having a positive impact on drink sales across the on-trade, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.