Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wine shipments from the west coast of America threatened by strikes

Published: 20 March, 2014

Wine shipments in and out of the west coast of the US could be seriously hampered by possible strike action at 29 major ports.

Budget 2014: Younger consumers look to boost own finances

Published: 20 March, 2014

In the wake of yesterday's Budget, which targeted pensioners and savers, research shows the younger generation is taking proactive measures to boost its finances.

Consumers prefer screwcaps, says survey

Published: 20 March, 2014

A survey of 6,000 consumers has shown that the majority prefer screwcaps over other closures because they're more convenient.

Alcohol duty escalator scrapped in Budget

Published: 19 March, 2014

The alcohol duty escalator has been scrapped, while duty on spirits has been frozen and beer duty has been cut by 1p per pint.

Scrapping duty escalator will benefit wine and spirits trade by £175m

Published: 19 March, 2014

Scrapping the duty escalator and freezing spirits duty will boost the wine and spirits trade to the tune of £175 million, says the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Gemma McKenna: No sour grapes over Budget

Published: 19 March, 2014

Not to sound the pessimistic klaxon over what's gone down in today's Budget, but once the dust settles on what the trade has bid a roundly successful announcement (end to alcohol duty escalator, spirits and cider duty frozen and beer duty cut), let's pause for a moment to think about what's happened with wine.

Budget 2014 Live Updates: Trade celebrates the end of duty escalator

Published: 19 March, 2014

The trade has united to welcome Chancellor George Osborne's announcement that he is ending the duty escalator for alcohol and freezing spirits duty.

Drinks trade nervously anticipates Budget

Published: 19 March, 2014

As time runs out before the 2014 Budget is announced later today, the drinks trade nervously shuffles its papers following a hard-fought campaign to scrap the duty escalator.

Mario Pablo Silva, Casa Silva's managing director, on Chile's harvest

Published: 19 March, 2014

Casa Silva's managing director, Mario Pablo Silva, gives us the lowdown on the "promosing start" to Chile's harvest

Caution urged as eating-out sector returns to growth

Published: 19 March, 2014

The restaurant sector is returning to growth, but operators are urged not to take the recovery for granted, hears Horizons annual conference.

French wine prices skyrocket following second small harvest

Published: 19 March, 2014

Two years of small harvests are taking their toll on French wine prices, with appellation wines up 18% on average on 2012.

Q&A with Nick Mantella, managing director Grupo Codorniu UK

Published: 19 March, 2014

Nick Mantella shares his views on how Cava can compete with the fast-growing Prosecco, its plans to expand its branded portfolio, and Spanish wines in the UK market.

The Benevolent Ball raises over £40k

Published: 18 March, 2014

The UK drinks trade united last week at the Benevolent charity ball, raising over £40,000 for colleagues in need.

Wine price comparison site to predict when low prices are coming

Published: 18 March, 2014

Wine price comparison website Bring a Bottle is aiming to make predictions on when individual products will hit their lowest prices as the next phase in its development.

Spain must plant more international grape varieties, says Rabobank

Published: 18 March, 2014

Spain should plant more international varieties and bill Tempranillo as its signature grape, if it is to combat oversupply issues and compete globally, says a Rabobank report.

Bacardí launches multi-million pound marketing campaign

Published: 18 March, 2014

Bacardí has launched a multi-million pound marketing campaign in the UK around its "irrepressible spirit".

Wine and spirits industry in one last push to halt duty escalator in next week's Budget

Published: 14 March, 2014

The wine and spirits trade is readying itself for one last push to convince the Chancellor to scrap the alcohol duty escalator in next week's Budget following intensive campaigning across the industry.

UK sales of organic wine fall

Published: 13 March, 2014

Sales of organic produce have risen for the first time in four years in the UK, but the increase has not been felt across beers wines and spirits sales at supermarkets, where they tumbled 7.6%.

Bargain Booze franchisees set for bonus payment

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bargain Booze franchisees are getting their share of a £180,000 bonus pot this month from owners Conviviality Retail, following the launch of a reward scheme.