Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cold Christmas in the on-trade

Published: 18 January, 2022

Already battered on-trade businesses suffered further in what should have been their busiest time of year. Clinton Cawood reports.

Profile: Fine Wines Direct take action

Published: 18 January, 2022

Andrew Catchpole caught up with the team at the “fiercely independent” Fine Wines Direct to discuss their new agency business, as well as plans for expansion and diversification

Demand for no and low products becoming ‘year round phenomenon’

Published: 17 January, 2022

The demand for no/low alcohol brands surged across key global markets in 2021, with consumer interest no longer confined to seasonal trends like Dry January.

Indies: Fighting fit?

Published: 17 January, 2022

Adaptability has been key for indies that have sought not just to survive, but to thrive, as Angela Mount reports.

Domaine Jones releases new range of old vine cuvées

Published: 14 January, 2022

Ex-pat winemaker Katie Jones, owner of Domaine Jones in the Languedoc-Rousillon, has launched the Vineyard Collection – a range of wines from very old vines.

UK hospitality sector endures 'devastating' Christmas period, says new data

Published: 13 January, 2022

Newly released data from UKHospitality and CGA Strategy paints a grim picture for on-trade businesses, with sales in UK pubs, restaurants and bars falling 60% on Christmas Day, 31% on Boxing Day and 27% on New Year’s Eve, when compared to 2019.

Landmark Portuguese wine festival 'FESTA' to take place in June

Published: 13 January, 2022

London’s Tobacco Dock will host an inaugural consumer-led festival in June, dedicated to Portugal’s wine, gastronomy, music and arts. The event is set to coincide with the Festa de São João, a famous event within Porto’s calendar where thousands travel to the city and surrounding neighbourhoods to celebrate Porto's patron saint, John the Baptist.

London Wine Fair to embrace hybrid model in 2022

Published: 13 January, 2022

The organisers of London Wine Fair (LWF) have confirmed that the landmark event will adopt a new format this year.

Prosecco opens doors for Italy

Published: 12 January, 2022

David Kermode delves into the world of Italian sparklers as the category covers new ground, from the march of rosé Prosecco to the increasingly popular high-quality fizzes of Franciacorta and Trento.

WSET appoints Brampton as new CEO

Published: 11 January, 2022

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has appointed Michelle Brampton as its new CEO, replacing the incumbent Ian Harris, who will step down on 15 April.

Help Platinum Jubilee celebrations to boost hospitality, urges UKH

Published: 10 January, 2022

As plans are drawn up for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, UKHospitality has petitioned the government to extend the UK's normal licensing hours during the bank holiday weekend.

Hospitality sales rebound in late December

Published: 10 January, 2022

Consumer footfall across the UK’s hospitality sector increased between Christmas and New Year, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Ehrmanns founder Peter Dauthieu passes away

Published: 07 January, 2022

The chairman and founder of import business Ehrmanns sadly died just before Christmas, aged 77.

SPAR launches new range of vegan wines

Published: 07 January, 2022

SPAR has become the first UK grocer to market a range of private label vegan wines, including a vegan Prosecco and SPAR Vine & Bloom rosé.

English sparkling wine brand achieves 'B Corporation' certification

Published: 06 January, 2022

A niche sparkling wine brand, The Uncommon, has become the first UK wine business to be certified as B Corp.

Sparkling wine delivered bumper Christmas sales

Published: 06 January, 2022

The sparkling wine category was the clear winner of the Christmas retail bonanza, with both merchants and analysts reporting bumper sales.

BWS retail sales decline in December 2021

Published: 05 January, 2022

Overall retail sales of beers, wines and spirits fell in the month of December, when benchmarked against Christmas 2020, though spending remained higher than it was pre-pandemic.

Chile tasting postponed as other physical January trade events hang in the balance

Published: 05 January, 2022

Wines of Chile has postponed its 13 January showcase tasting in London, with several other organisers of tastings this month also understood to be considering whether to still go ahead.