Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Naked Wines toasts soaring 2014 sales

Published: 21 January, 2015

Online wine specialist Naked Wines has seen its festive wine sales soar 40% on 2013, and says it sold 13 million bottles altogether in 2014.

Groceries Code Adjudicator hamstrung in efforts to fine supermarkets

Published: 20 January, 2015

The Groceries Code Adjudicator has admitted she is hamstrung in her efforts to reprimand retailers as the government has not yet finalised her powers to hand out fines.

Cockburn's Port lines up year of celebrations for bicentenary

Published: 20 January, 2015

Cockburn's Port is embarking on a year of celebration in 2015 to mark the company's bicentenary - including launching a commemorative edition of its Special Reserve.

Vinexpo 2015 set for radical revamp after producers felt 'cut off'

Published: 20 January, 2015

Exhibitors and visitors to this summer's Vinexpo in Bordeaux can expect to be "wowed" by a completely different type of trade show, which is looking to be more welcoming to producers from outside its Bordeaux heartland.

Heidsieck Monopole Champagne signs 3-year deal to sponsor Hyde Park concerts

Published: 20 January, 2015

Champagne brand Heidsieck Monopole has signed a deal to become the official Champagne partner for the Hyde Park summer series of concerts for the next three years.

English sparkling wine Coates & Seely moves from Liberty to Gonzalez Byass

Published: 20 January, 2015

English sparkling wine producer Coates & Seely has switched its UK distribution from Liberty Wines to Gonzalez Byass.

On-trade supplier Matthew Clark toasts bumper December as sales top £100m

Published: 20 January, 2015

On-trade drinks supplier Matthew Clark says December was its most successful month ever as sales broke the £100 million mark, as customers plumped for top-end wines and Champagnes.

Premium wine growth hampered by big grocers, warns Rabobank

Published: 19 January, 2015

The growth of premium wines is being restricted by major grocers and tough economic conditions, despite more adventurous consumers seeking them out.

Copestick Murray to distribute advertising mogul Sir John Hegarty's wines

Published: 19 January, 2015

Copestick Murray was inspired by Bartle Bogle Hegarty co-founder Sir John Hegarty's 'no holds barred' keynote speech at the WSTA conference last year to sign a distribution deal for his wines in the UK and Ireland.

Rioja's José Madrazo Real de Asúa has died

Published: 16 January, 2015

One of Rioja's pioneers, José Madrazo Real de Asúa, of the Spanish winery CVNE, has died.

Nielsen confirms sparkling wine and major spirits categories as big Christmas winners

Published: 16 January, 2015

Nielsen has confirmed that sparkling wine and the main spirits categories were the big winners during Christmas 2014.

WSTA's Miles Beale urges all in UK drinks industry to help secure 2% cut in alcohol duty

Published: 16 January, 2015

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, spells out today on Harpers.co.uk why it is so important everyone in the UK drinks industry plays their part in trying to secure a 2% drop in alcohol duty in the Budget in March.

Wine and spirits industry will not be helped by falling oil prices says Moody's

Published: 16 January, 2015

The global drop in oil prices will only have a "modest" impact on consumer spending and the retail industry in the European Union, according to a new report from Moody's the credit rating agency. revised its pricing assumptions in a newly published report that looked at the global impact the reduction in the cost of oil could have and found there would have a 'modest' impact to consumer spending and retail within the EU.

Portman Group hits back at Labour's public health proposals

Published: 15 January, 2015

The Portman Group has hit back at proposals from Labour on public health, which criticise voluntary industry and government partnerships.

Wine drinkers pay over the odds as inflation rockets 3.4% in December

Published: 15 January, 2015

Inflation may have fallen to 0.5% in December, but wine drinkers haven't felt the benefit of the drop in the cost of living as inflation on wine rose 3.4% in the same period.

London coffee and wine bar operator Notes set for expansion

Published: 15 January, 2015

London coffee and wine bar operator Notes is to opening three outlets in 2015, and plans to continue expanding at a rate of two to three sites per year from 2016.

Pub and restaurant groups grow Christmas trading 2.8%

Published: 15 January, 2015

Pub and restaurant groups across the country enjoyed a festive trading boost of 2.8% on the same period last year, with those inside London putting in a stronger performance.

Spain's Vidrala completes Encirc purchase

Published: 14 January, 2015

Spanish bottle manufacturer Vidrala has completed its acquisition of fellow glass manufacturer, filler and logistics firm Encirc.

Waitrose bucks grocery trend for store closures with 14 new openings for 2015

Published: 14 January, 2015

Waitrose is bucking the trend of store closures and job losses in the grocery sector by opening 14 new outlets in 2015, with more in the pipeline for 2016.

Sparkling wine Luc Belaire gets glow-in-the-dark label

Published: 14 January, 2015

Sovereign Brands is launching a limited edition sparkling rosé wine under its Luc Belaire label which will have a glow-in-the-dark label activated via a power button.