Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Restaurateur Marlon Abela buys into wine merchant OW Loeb

Published: 08 December, 2014

High profile restaurateur Marlon Abela has taken a majority ownership interest in wine merchant OW Loeb.

How trade can help South African wine industry's disadvantaged children through Pebbles Project

Published: 08 December, 2014

Celebrating 10 years of South Africa's Pebbles Project, Harpers.co.uk finds out what the charity has done to help children in the winelands and what more the trade can do to help.

Cava brand says 'we are not Champagne, we are Codorniu' in new ad campaign

Published: 08 December, 2014

Cava producer Codorníu has launched a global ad campaign which emphasises the brand's suitability for all occasions and its differences to Champagne - "we're not big on formalities, we prefer hugs and kisses" - in time for Christmas.

Welsh government report backs minimum pricing for alcohol

Published: 08 December, 2014

Wales is following hot on the heels of Northern Ireland last week, with moves to support a minimum price for alcohol.

Italian wineries must take advantage of wine tourism, finds report

Published: 05 December, 2014

The small size of most Italian wineries means they are struggling to take advantage of wine tourism and professionalise - both of which are required in order to secure the industry's future, a new report says.

Fine wine merchant AWC appoints David Murphy operations manager

Published: 05 December, 2014

Fine wine and spirits merchant AWC has appointed David Murphy, formerly of Wine Networks and Liberty Wines, operations manager, as its business grows.

Borough Wines opens sixth shop in London

Published: 05 December, 2014

Independent merchant Borough Wines has opened its sixth London shop, this time in Clerkenwell.

Will the real Brigitte Bardot/Bordeaux please stand up?

Published: 04 December, 2014

Kent wine merchant Taurus has sexed up its image with the arrival of a new (actually it is an antique) Citroen HY van as a key member of its delivery fleet.

Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky launches Never Drink and Drive campaign

Published: 04 December, 2014

Johnnie Walker is giving away 30,000 kilometres of free journeys home in the UK over Christmas through Uber taxi service, as part of its responsible drinking programme.

Business rates relief welcomed by pubs and drinks retailers

Published: 04 December, 2014

The 2% cap on business rates and commitment to a full "structural review", as revealed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement, has been broadly welcomed across all sides of the drinks industry - both on and off-trade.

Busines rates relief welcomed by drinks retailers and pubs

Published: 04 December, 2014

Start-ups 'exploding' into wine sector

Published: 04 December, 2014

Start-ups have exploded onto the wine sector, particularly those with a digital focus, as 1,400 apps alone launched by 2014.

Wine Fusion launches Conviviality exclusive NZ wine

Published: 04 December, 2014

The Wine Fusion has created New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Bay of Plenty especially for Conviviality's Bargain Booze and Wine Rack stores.

Thousands of Scottish bar, restaurant and drinks retail staff banned from selling alcohol

Published: 03 December, 2014

Thousands of bar, restaurant and drinks retail staff in Scotland have had their personal licences revoked after failing to meet deadlines over refresher training.

Good Wine Shop opens third outlet

Published: 03 December, 2014

Independent merchant the Good Wine Shop is opening a third branch - this time in Surrey's Esher - with plans for up to two more outlets in the pipeline.

London sees boom in restaurant openings in 2014

Published: 03 December, 2014

London has seen "unprecedented" growth in net restaurant openings in the past year, as 101 venues opened up, beating the previous 2006 record of 75.

Enotria appoints Hallgarten's Helen Munday as marketing director

Published: 03 December, 2014

Hallgarten's marketing director Helen Munday is jumping ship to take up the same role at Enotria, starting in January 2015.

Northern Ireland proceeds with minimum pricing policy

Published: 03 December, 2014

The Northern Ireland Executive is pressing ahead with plans for a minimum unit price for alcohol, despite similar plans in Scotland being reviewed the European Court of Justice.

Swedish drinks monopoly Systembolaget 'not about maximising sales'

Published: 03 December, 2014

"We're in this not for maximising sales but eliminating the harmful effects of alcohol. Is this possible? I think so." These words come from Sara Norrel, head of buying at Systembolaget, the monopoly that controls drinks sales in Sweden.

Glengoyne's Stuart Hendry: 'We're still selling too much whisky'

Published: 02 December, 2014

Stuart Hendry, brand heritage and commercial director for Glengoyne Distillery near Glasgow, talks Scotch whisky's enduring popularity, barrel prices, slow distillation and long-term plans with Geoffrey Dean