Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Simon Thorpe MW joins Wine GB team

Published: 21 October, 2020

Wine GB has strengthened its team with the appointment of Simon Thorpe MW as new CEO.

Popular trade figure Terry Threlfall passes away

Published: 19 October, 2020

It was with surprise and a heavy heart that the wine trade community – in the UK and beyond – received the news of Terry Threlfall’s untimely death. Terry passed away last Friday from a heart attack, aged just 43.

Wine drinking occasions up in lockdowns

Published: 16 October, 2020

Wine drinkers across key consumption markets have been turning more often to the beverage during the pandemic. This is spurred by new lockdown occasions and more drinking outside of mealtimes, according to a new Wine Consumer Trends in the Covid-19 Era report released by Wine Intelligence.

Wine GB launches industry hallmark for classic method wines

Published: 15 October, 2020

Wine GB has announced its first ever collective campaign for producers in England and Wales, including a hallmark to help to differentiate English and Welsh PDO sparkling wines made using the “time and craft-intensive classic method”.

Tier 2 restrictions for London on-trade, with North West facing Tier 3

Published: 15 October, 2020

In a further escalation of the rolling partial lockdowns across the UK, the government is introducing Tier 2 restrictions on Londoners from midnight tomorrow (Friday 16 October), Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, announced in the Commons today.

Bars and restaurants are footing the Covid bill

Published: 15 October, 2020

The government has made a meal out of eating out, with serious repercussions for the trade. Chris Losh reports

GBK follows Carluccio’s to Boparan following Covid squeeze

Published: 14 October, 2020

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), owner of Carluccio’s, has acquired burger brand Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), saving 35 trading sites national-wide.

Domino effect looms as NI declares health and hospitality crisis

Published: 14 October, 2020

Northern Ireland has announced a month-long circuit breaker lockdown, signalling fears that similar measures could be on the way for the rest of the UK.

Profile: John Timothy, The Portman Group

Published: 14 October, 2020

Health rose to the top of the agenda at the beginning of 2020 in a way we’ve never seen before. Jo Gilbert speaks to the face of alcohol responsibility in the UK about meeting this challenge

New indie Christmas campaign for Bordeaux

Published: 07 October, 2020

Bordeaux Wines UK has inveiled a new Christmas campaign aimed at independent wine merchants.

Lindeman's goes carbon neutral in Europe

Published: 07 October, 2020

The Lindeman’s wine brand is set to be certified carbon neutral in Europe, thanks to a new partnership between brand-owner Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) and the Carbon Trust.

Govt delays vote on 10pm curfew as opposition mounts

Published: 07 October, 2020

The government has delayed a vote in the House of Commons on the 10pm curfew for pubs and restaurants.

North South adds Māori wine brands to portfolio

Published: 07 October, 2020

North South Wines has won the UK agency rights for New Zealand's Tohu and Kono wine brands.

Delibo expands list with three new agencies

Published: 06 October, 2020

Wine importer Delibo has added three new producers to its portfolio.

Bordeaux takes trade briefing online

Published: 06 October, 2020

Bordeaux Wines UK has become the latest marketing body to move its activities online.

North South to raise wildfire funds

Published: 05 October, 2020

North South Wines is to launch a new wine in the UK from Monterey-based Scheid Family Wines as part of a drive to raise crisis funds for businesses and communities devastated by the recent wildfires in California.

New Zealand tastings go virtual

Published: 05 October, 2020

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) is to move its annual London and Dublin January tastings online.

New Covid clampdowns wreck hospitality recovery

Published: 05 October, 2020

The introduction of new government restrictions to tackle the Covid-19 crisis has wreaked havoc on the nascent recovery in the UK’s hospitality industry, acording to the latest survey from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Peyton launches RTD cocktail range

Published: 05 October, 2020

Restaurateur Oliver Peyton OBE has launched a new range of ready-to-drink premium cocktails in partnership with cocktail guru Dré Masso.

Aldi to open 100 new stores as part of £1.3bn investment

Published: 28 September, 2020

Aldi has pledged to invest a record £1.3bn over the next two years with new and upgraded stores, distribution centres and “further innovations” planned across the business.