Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Five minutes with Ricardo Baettig, Viña Morandé

Published: 07 February, 2023

Andrew Catchpole catches up with the man who drives the exploratory winemaking at Viña Morandé, one of Chile’s most consistently innovative producers

Paper bottles break supermarket barrier with Sainsbury’s listing

Published: 05 January, 2023

When in Rome (WiR), one of the UK’s leading alt-format wine brands is set to launch its range of recycled paper wine bottles into Sainsbury’s during the first quarter 2023.

Vranken-Pommery tests the waters of vine density in English ‘trials’

Published: 07 October, 2022

Vranken-Pommery’s English wine ‘trials’ at its Pinglestone Estate in Hampshire could prompt viticulture changes in Champagne, the house has said, with Pinglestone being used as a ‘laboratory’ where findings on lowering vine density could be taken across the Channel.

Virgin achieves carbon neutral

Published: 06 October, 2022

Online retailer Virgin Wines has reached a new milestone in its sustainability journey, by announced that they have officially been certified carbon neutral.

Naked Wines brushes off CEO woes for first standalone tasting

Published: 22 September, 2022

It was a marriage of convenience. Naked Wines needed the cash injection. Majestic needed the online know-how in order to expand its digital footprint. After the pair’s relatively amicable breakup in 2019, Naked Wines is now very much looking to re-establish itself as a solo entity with a serious portfolio that can engage even the most sceptical wine lovers.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Thrills and spills with Veseth’s wine economics

Published: 16 August, 2022

Mike Veseth doesn’t just make wine economics understandable; he makes it thrilling.

Tim Atkin MW: Women score in wine, too

Published: 05 August, 2022

You’ve come a long way, baby. Watching the final of the Euro 2022 women’s football tournament, I was reminded of this advertising slogan for Virginia Slims cigarettes, of all things, from the late 1960s. The brand tapped into the zeitgeist at a time when feminism and women’s rights were finally attracting the attention and wider support they deserved. The importance of sport should not be overstated, but England’s victory felt significant, not just as a one-off game, but in a wider social context.

Looking ahead: Winne Toh, The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Published: 01 August, 2022

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities.

Laithwaites leans into recycled glass

Published: 27 July, 2022

Online retailer Laithwaites has expanded its first recycled glass range following better-than-expected initial sales.

Looking ahead: Elise Mérigaud, La Dame de Pic

Published: 21 July, 2022

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities.

The drinks trend casualties in the cost-of-living crisis

Published: 30 June, 2022

As we hover on the edge of a possible recession, with inflation reaching a 40-year year high in June, it’s no surprise that UK consumers are tightening their belts.

L’Enclume becomes star of the north with a Michelin first

Published: 16 February, 2022

The latest iteration of the Michelin star list has unveiled a first for the north of England with Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume clinching a watershed three stars.

Tequila raises the bar

Published: 31 January, 2022

Once known by its ‘slammer’ reputation, tequila is carving out a new niche in UK spirits with optimistic sales as a premium sipping drink, writes Jo Gilbert.

Hospitality sector urges Scottish government to rescind indoor dining restrictions

Published: 12 January, 2022

Nicola Sturgeon's announcement that the limitations and restrictions on indoor dining would continue until at least 24 January has been widely condemned by interest groups in Scotland.

Healthy Hospo launches crowdfunding campaign

Published: 11 January, 2022

Not-for-profit organisation Healthy Hospo is calling for donations to enable the charity to further support hospitality workers during this turbulent period.

New Generation adds Champagne Carbon to its portfolio

Published: 04 January, 2022

Wine importer and wholesaler New Generation has become the exclusive agents of Champagne Carbon, a niche brand created by Alexandre Méa.

Scotland's winter budget offers relief to struggling businesses

Published: 10 December, 2021

SNP finance secretary Kate Forbes outlined the 2021/22 budget in the Scottish parliament yesterday (9 December), with some good news for ailing retailers and hospitality venues.

Vagabond launches new AI somm subscription service

Published: 02 December, 2021

Independent hybrid retailer Vagabond has embraced the digital revolution with the unveiling of a new consumer-facing interface, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).