Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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.

French gin partners with London's hotel bars

Published: 07 December, 2016

Ethical spirits brand Fair has teamed up with 12 top London hotels to launch its Christmas marketing campaign.

New report backs minimum pricing as consumption rises 42% from 1980

Published: 05 December, 2016

The government department for public health has praised the benefits of minimum pricing after releasing a report which shows that UK consumers are drinking 42% more than there were in 1980.

Pernod Ricard off-loads brandy to focus on spirits

Published: 02 December, 2016

Pernod Ricard is selling the Domecq brand and its related brandies and wines to Emperador Group and Gonzalez Byass.

Arbikie launches limited edition strawberry vodka

Published: 30 November, 2016

Scottish farm-to-bottle distillery Arbikie Highland Estate is releasing a limited edition fresh strawberry vodka in the run-up to Christmas.

Lucas Bols taps COLD's Michael Mann for UK brand ambassador role

Published: 30 November, 2016

Lucas Bols has appointed Michael Mann, formerly of the City of London Distillery, as its UK brand ambassador.

Bacardi expands global leadership team

Published: 29 November, 2016

Spirit behemoth Bacardi has appointed a new senior vice president and global chief communications officer.

Four Pillars joins up with Love Drinks for UK distribution

Published: 28 November, 2016

Yara Valley distillery Four Pillars Gin, has appointed a new distributor for the UK.

Remy Cointreau re-bounds with 7% sales growth

Published: 24 November, 2016

Top Cognac producer Remy Cointreau has reversed its fortunes after a difficult 2015.

Bottled tea range targets luxury mixer market

Published: 23 November, 2016

Luxury tea company Benjamin & Blum has launched a range of bottled teas designed to pair with spirits.

SWA to challenge minimum pricing in Supreme Court

Published: 21 November, 2016

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is set to appeal against the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) of alcohol in Scotland in the UK's Supreme Court, the organisation has announced.

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

Published: 17 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.

Getting into the Christmas spirit

Published: 16 November, 2016

As the countdown begins to the most wonderful - and lucrative - time of the year, Harpers looks at how retailers can make the most of the opportunities presented by premium spirits.

Scottish minimum pricing to impact over half of alcohol sales, while wine and premium spirits could benefit

Published: 15 November, 2016

Wine and premium brands could be the big winners of Scotland's impending minimum price legislation, it has been revealed.

Legal clarity is overdue for Scotch whisky 'finishing'

Published: 14 November, 2016

Whisky and particularly Scotch is perhaps the most litigious subject of all spirits. Quite rightly its firm tradition and great export sales are protected by intellectual property rights. Yet a gap has emerged which is widening and worrying.

Campari launches pre-mixed Negroni cocktail, as "in" becomes "the new out" for consumers

Published: 10 November, 2016

Campari is looking to capitalise on the trend towards premium cocktails in the off-trade with the launch of a ready-to-drink Negroni cocktail.

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.

Fever Tree sees strong growth in demand for premium mixers

Published: 08 November, 2016

Premium tonic water producer, Fever Tree, is in line to jump ahead of predictions in the second half of 2016, with analysts predicting full-year UK sales growth of 95%.

Anne Burchett to leave Sopexa

Published: 07 November, 2016

Anne Burchett has resigned as her role as MD of the UK & Ireland at food, beverage and lifestyle marketing agency, Sopexa.

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.