Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Origin Wine launches 4%-abv wine-based drink

Published: 19 April, 2013

Origin Wine has launched a 50cl bottle of a 4%-abv wine-based drink designed to be served over ice.

Ooberstock celebrates 1,000th customer

Published: 16 April, 2013

Amazon-style wholesaler Ooberstock has traded with its 1,000th independent free trade customer nine months after launching.

Symington Family Estates declares 2011 vintage

Published: 15 April, 2013

Symington Family Estates has declared 2011 as a vintage year, its third vintage Port declaration since 2000.

Wake-up call as poll reaveals most wine drinkers alienated by trade's descriptions

Published: 15 April, 2013

Wine descriptions are more pompous than helpful, and most of them fail to help consumers understand the taste of the wine.

LIWF courts top sommeliers

Published: 15 April, 2013

The organisers of the London International Wine Fair have announced plans to send VIP passes to 200 of the UK's top sommeliers this week.

Distell snaps up Burn Stewart Distillers for £160m

Published: 15 April, 2013

South African giant Distell Group has bought Bunnahabhain producer Burn Stewart Distillers for £160 million from CL World Brands and Angostura.

Distell snaps up Burn Stewart Distillers for £160m

Published: 15 April, 2013

South African giant Distell Group has bought Bunnahabhain producer Burn Stewart Distillers for £160 million from CL World Brands and Angostura.

Bancroft signs Remírez de Ganuza

Published: 15 April, 2013

Bancroft Wines has been appointed the exclusive UK agent for Rioja producer Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza.

Champagne Ambassador's Awards open

Published: 12 April, 2013

The Champagne Bureau has called for members of the trade to nominate the UK's best wine educators in this year's Champagne Ambassador's Awards.

Obituary: Michael Jones

Published: 12 April, 2013

Michael Jones, the former chairman of Banbury wine merchant SH Jones, has died aged 83.

Rioja generic body plans €8m promotional spend

Published: 12 April, 2013

The generic body responsible for promoting wines from Rioja plans to spend €8 million on promoting the region this year.

Speed-dating with the suppliers

Published: 12 April, 2013

Hoping to impress some independent merchants this month is Les Vignobles de Foncalieu.

Double digit sales hike in March for wine and spirits

Published: 12 April, 2013

An early Easter propelled wine sales by 13% and spirits by 20% in the supermarkets while beer sales grew by just 1% during March.

Hi-Spirits hires Louis Latour's Dan Bolton as MD

Published: 12 April, 2013

Hi-Spirits has appointed Dan Bolton to the newly created role of managing director.

Drinkaware visitors soar in response to warning people drink more than they think

Published: 12 April, 2013

Visits to Drinkaware's website surged to a five-year high following the publication of research which revealed a gap between what consumers buy and how much they think they drink.

National Apéritif Day to be held next month

Published: 11 April, 2013

French apéritif producer Maison Lillet has declared May 16 the UK's first National Apéritif Day.

Dunleavy family regains control of Te Motu

Published: 11 April, 2013

Sam Harrop MW is part of a group of private investors that have bought the Te Motu vineyard and returned it to the control of the Dunleavy family.

Belvedere Vodka adds light-up bottle to range

Published: 10 April, 2013

LVMH-owned vodka Belvedere has added a light to the bottom of its 1.75 litre bottles to make the drink stand...

GrapePip bids to be the eBay of the wine trade

Published: 10 April, 2013

A fine wine merchant has launched an online auction for fine wines which it says will give customers the thrill of a live auction while offering merchants a neat solution to clear cellar overstocks.

Diageo to build £50m Scotch whisky distillery

Published: 03 April, 2013

Diageo is to increase its Scotch whisky production with a new £50 million distillery in the Scottish Highlands. Text Diageo is to increase its Scotch whisky production with a new £50 million distillery in the Scottish Highlands.