Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Al fresco summer plans expected to skyrocket cocktails-to-go

Published: 15 July, 2020

Canned drinks and grab-and-go cocktails to go are expected to be given a major boost this summer thanks to a new vogue in outdoor drinking.

Tío Pepe opens first Sherry hotel

Published: 15 July, 2020

Historic Sherry brand Tío Pepe is adding a new page to its story with the launch of a boutique hotel within the grounds of the González Byass winery.

GB sustainability initiative given the “green” light

Published: 10 July, 2020

The environmental sustainability scheme for the UK wine industry is now underway, around a year after plans were first announced in order to put GB winemaking on a par with green rivals in New Zealand and Champagne.

Import-export webinar: A Taste of New York

Published: 10 July, 2020

Andrew Catchpole brought together leading NY state winemakers with UK merchants to explore Indie Opportunities from the Empire State

Lanchester goes digital with in-venue ordering platform

Published: 09 July, 2020

Lanchester Wines has unveiled its newest technological innovation – an online order and pay tool to help on-trade venues re-open while observing social distancing rules.

Majestic re-opens across the Channel

Published: 08 July, 2020

Majestic Calais, the French arm of Majestic Wine, has reopened its doors to customers at its superstore over The Channel following the easing of travel restrictions in and out of the UK.

Pernod Ricard UK launches largest single malt collection

Published: 08 July, 2020

Fifteen rare single malts are matriculating over to Pernod Ricard UK’s main portfolio, significantly ramping up the French giant’s stake in the Scotch whisky category.

Bollinger adds first cuvée in over a decade with Bollinger PN

Published: 06 July, 2020

Champagne Bollinger has added its first permanent cuvée in 12 years with the launch of Bollinger PN, the first of an intended series focusing on the house’s flagship grape.

Shakedown looms for English and Welsh spirits

Published: 06 July, 2020

A restructure could be on the cards for the English and Welsh spirits sector, as pressure from an impending recession begins to squeeze brands at either end of the price spectrum. Jo Gilbert reports

UK-wide bars and restaurants gear up to unveil new look on-trade this weekend

Published: 03 July, 2020

Bars, restaurants and pubs are expected to re-open in droves this weekend, with a complete overhaul of safety procedures set to establish a new normal for the British on-trade.

Casual Dining Group to close 91 restaurants

Published: 03 July, 2020

Casual Dining Group (CDG), the company that owns Bella Italia, Café Rouge, Las Iguanas and Belgo, has announced 91 of its 250 sites will remain closed permanently, resulting in the loss of 1,900 jobs to the on-trade sector.

Loire Valley sparklers herald UK uplift

Published: 02 July, 2020

Loire Valley fizz has enjoyed a surge in exports to the UK, with Crémant de Loire having jumped just shy of 50%.

Self-imposed regulations risk UK’s standing as fine wine trading hub

Published: 01 July, 2020

The UK's status as a global trading hub for fine wine will face major risks from the additional burdens of government-imposed regulations when the UK ends its Brexit transition period at the close of the year.

Hatch Mansfield claims trio of eco firsts by becoming carbon neutral

Published: 01 July, 2020

Hatch Mansfield has revealed it has managed to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero for 2019, making it the first in the industry to achieve a trio of recognised sustainability accreditations.

Beronia joins Bid for Recovery auction

Published: 01 July, 2020

Top Rioja winery Beronia is putting up some plum prizes in conjunction with 50 Best Restaurants to help raise funds for the recovery of on-trade.

WSTA hits out at government for failing to count true cost of VI-1 certification

Published: 15 June, 2020

The WSTA has hit out at government for misleading the public over claims that EU wine importation costs would, according to Defra, be “nil or negligible”.