Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Tom Platt: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 29 August, 2025

Liberty Wines CEO Tom Platt continues our summer Q&A series with a measured take on the challenges to the trade.

Hugo Campbell: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 15 August, 2025

Ehrmanns Wine's director Hugo Campbell takes up the baton in our summer Q&A series, talking Iron Maiden, Savvy Blanc and current trading conditions.

Jerry Lockspeiser: How AI’s impact on the wine industry is ours to chose

Published: 12 August, 2025

When I was a lad I used to hear adults arguing about something one of them had read in the newspapers. The reader would announce the item with astonishment or relish – “you’d never have thought it” or “I told you they were the problem” – while the responder would retort “you shouldn’t believe everything you read in the papers.”

WSET stalwart Gareth Lawrence passes away

Published: 28 July, 2025

Ian Harris MBE, CEO of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust from 2002 to 2022, remembers one of the organisation’s great educators.

Hennings pulls record attendance at 65th anniversary tasting

Published: 10 March, 2025

West Sussex independent Hennings Wine Merchants has bucked the generally subdued mood enveloping the on-trade by delivering its busiest annual trade tasting to date.

Decoding ProWein’s 2025 business report

Published: 10 February, 2025

The wine industry, be it producers, exporters, importers, wine merchants or hospitality, has had to navigate a litany of headwinds over the past year. From the ever-evolving climate picture to changing consumer tastes, new and persistent challenges mean assessing the temperature and mood of the industry is more important than ever. Step in ProWein’s 2025 business report.

Soapbox: Time to look beyond duty easement

Published: 18 December, 2024

Barring a near-miracle, it is now highly unlikely that the current UK government will make permanent the temporary duty easement that is ending this coming 1 February. Speaking with Andrew Catchpole for the first of a two-part Soapbox, Miles Beale of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) – who campaigned tirelessly on that matter and helped galvanise the trade – says it’s time to learn the lessons from this “incredibly disappointing” outcome and look ahead to the key bumps coming down the road in 2025. The trade can, he argues, force through more positive and desirable outcomes in the near future, if it pulls together in a similarly galvanised way.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Doug Wregg, Les Caves de Pyrene

Published: 04 December, 2024

As the first of our end of year trade talking heads, Les Caves de Pyrene's Doug Wregg reflects on a tough ride for the trade.

Calais Vins launches offer as UK Budget sparks price concerns

Published: 23 October, 2024

As the UK Budget looms, with anticipated rises in alcohol duties, Calais Vins and Olivier Vins have introduced a new offer designed to attract British travellers looking to save on their wine purchases before potential price hikes hit. The timing of this initiative positions the two retailers to capture heightened demand as consumers brace for the Budget's impact on alcohol costs.

Berry Bros. & Rudd debuts auction platform with wines from Ian Mill’s collection

Published: 22 October, 2024

Berry Bros. & Rudd is making its entry into the auction market, leveraging the private wine collection of long-time client Ian Mill KC. This inaugural auction will be held online, featuring selections from a Burgundy collection recognised as one of the finest worldwide.

Shipments to China lift Australian wine exports to three-year high

Published: 22 October, 2024

Australian wine exports surged in the 12 months to September 2024, with value rising 34% to AU$2.39bn and volume up 7% to 643 million litres, according to Wine Australia’s latest report. These figures represent the highest levels since August 2021, mainly driven by a strong return to the Chinese market after it removed import duties on Australian bottled wine in late March 2024.

Jeroboams named UK distributor for Harrow & Hope

Published: 07 October, 2024

Jeroboams has been appointed as the exclusive UK distributor for Harrow & Hope, a prominent English wine producer known for its award-winning sparkling wines. This partnership reflects the increasing popularity and reputation of English wine, as more domestic producers seek to align with established distributors to broaden their reach.

Webinar: B Corp for the wine trade

Published: 14 August, 2024

Harpers and North South Wines are to host a free session exploring what it takes to become a B Corp certified company.

Hallgarten launches second Inclusivity in Wine Programme

Published: 09 May, 2024

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has launched its second Inclusivity in Wine Programme, designed to encourage and provide a pathway for people of diverse backgrounds in hospitality to enter the wine trade.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Michael Awin, ABS

Published: 15 December, 2023

Following another eventful year for the drinks trade, Michael Awin of Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (ABS) reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, plus the hopes and plans for the business in the year ahead.

Friday read: What will 2023 mean for the wine trade?

Published: 06 January, 2023

Stuart Bond, director at UK wine distributor, Beyond Wines, dives into the top trends for 2023

Longest serving MW passes away

Published: 28 September, 2022

David Burns has passed away, after a long and varied career in the wine trade, also having been the youngest and oldest to hold the coveted MW title.

Profile: Virgin’s positive mission

Published: 20 September, 2022

With his relaxed style and ample enthusiasm, Jay Wright certainly doesn’t fit the old stereotype of a wine trade CEO. As the boss of one of the more successful online retailers, though, he is clear about the vision and values that underpin the popularity of Virgin Wines. And much of that comes down to what he believes the company – and, by extension, the wider drinks trade – actually sells.