Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Barry Dick MW brought on board to help Origin Wine expand its global sourcing footprint

Published: 13 March, 2015

Origin Wine has brought in Barry Dick MW to help the company expand its global sourcing footprint.

Argentina's bulk wine production has a 'structural problem', says governor of Mendoza

Published: 13 March, 2015

Argentina's bulk wine producers are facing "structural problems" that are causing unwanted low quality wine to stockpile, the governor of Mendoza has claimed.

UK casual dining sales enjoy 23rd consecutive month of growth

Published: 12 March, 2015

Pubs and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales edge up 1.6% across the UK, making February the 23rd consecutive month to show growth, according to new figures released by the Coffer Peach Business Tracker figures.

Vine viruses found in UK for first time highlights need to be vigilant, experts claim

Published: 11 March, 2015

Recent reports that English vines are in danger from widespread viruses have been exaggerated, according to English winemakers - although they recognised the need to remain vigiliant.

Seven of England's leading wineries to fly the flag at ProWein

Published: 11 March, 2015

Seven leading English wine producers will be heading to ProwWein this weekend to help further cement the reputation of home grown wines in the international marketplace.

English winery Ridgeview Wine Estates celebrates 20th anniversary with new branding

Published: 11 March, 2015

Award winning English winery Ridgeview Wine Estates is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a new look across its entire range of English sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard's Denis O'Flynn urges senior industry figures to sign up and back WSTA

Published: 06 March, 2015

More senior businesses and figures in the UK wine and spirits industry need to get behind the work of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association to try and protects its future growth, according to Denis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK, and the trade body's new chairman.

UK vs France: the differences in marketing regulation of alcoholic drinks

Published: 06 March, 2015

If we think drinks legislation is inhibitive in the UK we only need look across the Channel to cheer ourselves. We asked Dr Tom Farrell and Dr Beno&icirct Lecat which system is more fit for purpose in the 21st century.

England and New Zealand sparkling wines go head to head in a "Battle of the Bubbles"

Published: 23 February, 2015

Competition between English and New Zealand sparkling wine came to a head last week as the two countries tied in a blind-tasting organised to coincide with the Cricket World Cup.

Roger Jones sees England win on home soil in Battle of Bubbles with New Zealand

Published: 20 February, 2015

After a draw in New Zealand 12 hours earlier, a challenge yesterday afternoon to see whether English sparkling wine would win against New Zealand on home ground resounded in a clear victory for the home team, although technically as it was held at New Zealand House, it was not quite home soil.

UK wine industry backs calls for alcohol duty cut

Published: 16 February, 2015

The UK's growing wine industry has called for the Chancellor to cut the high rate of alcohol duty rate by 2% in the upcoming Budget.

England and New Zealand's sparkling wines clash ahead of Cricket World Cup

Published: 11 February, 2015

The doyens of the English and New Zealand sparkling wine industry are ratcheting up the competition ahead of the Cricket World Cup with a blind taste off.

BrewDog continues expansion with opening of first Spanish bar

Published: 11 February, 2015

Scotland's largest independent brewery BrewDog is continuing with its expansion plans with the opening of its 26th bar and its first in Spain with its new Barcelona outpost.

Stevens Garnier rebrands to Sogrape and ups on-trade focus

Published: 10 February, 2015

Wine supplier Stevens Garnier is ditching its old name in favour of Sogrape, that of its Portuguese parent company, and has vowed to hone in on the UK's on-trade in 2015.

UK's first Sake brewery and visitor centre to open in Cambridgeshire

Published: 06 February, 2015

Dojima, a Japanese brewery based in Osaka, which was founded over 600 years ago has established a company in the UK and plans to start producing premium sake on U.K soil this year.

Kent vineyard Chapel Down signs deal on new land

Published: 04 February, 2015

Kent winery Chapel Down is looking to bump up production and has signed deals to double the land it holds under lease to 130 hectares.

Herefordshire English winery looking for UK distributor

Published: 30 January, 2015

One of the oldest farming families in Herefordshire, which converted from cattle to vines 10 years ago, is looking for a UK distributor for its wine.

Buckingham Schenk recruits David Tromans from Enotria

Published: 28 January, 2015

David Tromans is joining Buckingham Schenk as marketing and new product development manager from Enotria, marking a series of changes at the supplier.

USA to be 'star of the global economy for 2015' says Euromonitor

Published: 26 January, 2015

Euromonitor's global economic outlook for 2015 forecasts the US economy will see the largest growth in real GDP and a strengthening currency, and should be the best performing advanced economy this year.