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"New chapter" for the trade as May triggers Article 50

Published:  29 March, 2017

A historic moment in British politics and the beginning of a new chapter for the UK alcohol industry took placed this morning when Theresa May signed the letter that will formally begin the UK's departure from the EU.

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Berry Bros. & Rudd becomes WSET 'Silver Corporate Patron'

Published:  23 March, 2017

Berry Bros. & Rudd has joined the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) as a Silver Corporate Patron

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Gin replaces spirit-based drinks in ONS inflation basket

Published:  14 March, 2017

The ONS, which has not included the price of gin in inflation calculations for 13 years, today unveiled it had re-introduced it in light of "increased expenditure" on the popular tipple, which has replaced spirit-based drinks in the basket.

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WSTA's Miles Beale on the Budget: Unsurprising surprises

Published:  13 March, 2017

What was surprising about the result of the Budget this year was that it that it did not contain any surprises.

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What the Budget means for wine and spirit prices

Published:  08 March, 2017

Wine and spirit duty is set to increase from 8p for a bottle of wine and by 43p for a bottle of gin as a result of the Chancellor's decision to make alcohol subject to inflationary rises.

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Trade bodies "disappointed" by the Chancellor's decision not to cut alcohol duties

Published:  08 March, 2017

The Chancellor's decision not to cut duties on alcohol and tobacco has been meet with dismay by the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

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CAA chairman dismisses EU fears of 'English Champagne' influx post-Brexit

Published:  21 February, 2017

The chairman of the Champagne Agents' Association has hit back at claims that 'English Champagne' could flood into the continent following the UK's departure from the EU.

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CETA deal to boost spirits sales to Canada

Published:  16 February, 2017

Industry leaders have welcomed the ratification of the controversial CETA trade deal, which will eliminate almost all import tariffs on wines, spirits travelling from the EU to Canada. 

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Sparkling to be worst affected by triple whammy of price pressures

Published:  14 February, 2017

It's Valentine's Day, which means consumers will be spurring on the nation's love of sparkling wine by heading to fizz shelves today.

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Industry calls for beers, wines and spirits duty cuts - but who will get what?

Published:  07 February, 2017

Voices across the trade are speaking out this week against "crippling" levels of alcohol duty in the UK - where consumers pay a quarter of all EU spirits tax.

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PGI application to protect 'British' versus imported grapes

Published:  24 January, 2017

The chair of the UKVA has hit back at claims that the purpose of a new PGI application was to coin a popular name for English sparkling wine, but rather to prevent grapes grown outside the UK from being called 'British'.

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A look back at May's Brexit speech: What does it mean for the trade?

Published:  20 January, 2017

As we hurtle towards the hard Brexit scenario outlined by Theresa May in her speech earlier this week, there are two main concerns affecting our industry.

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WSTA calls on industry to help prevent wine being "singled out" at next budget

Published:  20 January, 2017

The body which represents the wine and spirits industry is calling on the industry to make sure that wine is looked on favourably at the next budget.

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Tax accounts for 50% of consumers' alcohol shop this Christmas

Published:  19 December, 2016

Baskets and trolleys are heavy at this time of year with alcohol for the festive season, but they would feel considerably lighter if it wasn't for the high rate of duty in the UK.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: A great time to be in wine

Published:  14 December, 2016

I don't want to be a siren of gloom. After all Christmas is the time for good cheer. But we are racing towards the end of a year where disruptive global events - Brexit, Trump, Aleppo - have shaken our feelings of security.

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Record-breaking year for gin makes it the success story of 2016, says WSTA

Published:  09 December, 2016

2016 has proved to be a record-breaking year for gin, with end of year sales continuing to soar.

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WSTA outlines "the road ahead" for Brexit ministers

Published:  01 December, 2016

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling for Brexit ministers to let the drinks industry lead negotiations to ensure the best possible free trade agreements with the EU andfurther afield. 

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The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published:  25 November, 2016

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

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Brexit minister begins talks with the WSTA to discuss how to manage leaving the EU

Published:  10 November, 2016

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) met Brexit minister David Jones last week to discuss how the industry can protect trade and the 600,000 of jobs currently supporting the UK wines and spirits industry.

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Jago looks to grow WSTA membership and "unite the trade" ahead of Brexit

Published:  07 November, 2016

New WSTA chairman Dan Jago has said he wants to strengthen the trade body by including more members in order to face the "monumental" challenge posed by Brexit head-on.

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