Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

River-aged wine listed by Laithwaites

Published: 11 July, 2025

In what is believed to be a UK first, Laithwaites has an addition to its list which has been aged in an underground river in the Languedoc.

Wine prices to rise as tax changes loom

Published: 04 October, 2024

Wine prices are set to increase as UK retailers brace for significant changes to wine taxation starting February 2025. Businesses warn that the new system will require six-figure investments to handle the administrative burden, with potential annual costs also running into similar sums.

Wine and spirit businesses welcome the Windsor Framework Agreement

Published: 03 March, 2023

The Windsor Framework Agreement, a system designed to facilitate the movement of goods from GB to Ireland post-Brexit has been welcomed by the UK wine and spirit businesses.

Not so merry and bright

Published: 27 October, 2022

Three-word slogans have bombarded the UK under the current government, from ‘Get Brexit Done’, to ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and, most recently, ‘Get Britain Moving’, which sounds more like an ad for a laxative than a treatment for the country’s overall ills. But now we’re getting ‘Winter of Disconnect’, courtesy of the press, which is summing up both how a majority of consumers feel not only about the three-hour blackouts that the National Grid is warning of over the coming season, but also how they feel about the government’s
approach to the economy.

Scorched vineyards in Europe add to inflationary woes

Published: 15 August, 2022

Inflation has reached boiling point for the wine sector – with climate change adding to a melting pot of pressures which are placing increasing strain on the industry.

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.

Paper bottle makes its way to Laithwaites

Published: 04 July, 2022

Online wine merchant Laithwaites has launched its first wine packaged in a paper bottle – continuing a packaging trend which is rapidly gathering speed.

Harpers Exclusive: The Wines Direct Consumer Award winners 2022

Published: 30 May, 2022

Now in its fourth year, Harpers can exclusively reveal the 2022 Wine Direct Awards results.

Laithwaites launches new Sicilian label packaged in 'wild' glass

Published: 25 January, 2022

Online retailer Laithwaites has enhanced its sustainability credentials with the release of W/O (standing for 'without') Frappato 2020, an organic Sicilian red housed in ‘wild’ glass – claiming a UK first for wine.

Bouncing Back Q&A: David Gates, CEO, Laithwaites

Published: 13 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, David Gates, CEO, Laithwaites takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.