Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

South Africa's Cape Wine 2015 to reach 'new levels'

Published: 25 November, 2014

Wines of South Africa says 2015's Cape Wine event will reach "an exciting new level", reflecting the industry's "dynamism".

Mitchells & Butlers profit down as revenues grow

Published: 25 November, 2014

Pub and bar operator Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One and Browns venues, has seen revenues grow by 4% to £1.9 billion, while profits before tax fell by 13% to £123 million.

Wine industry should take initiative on calorie labelling, says WSTA chief

Published: 25 November, 2014

The wine industry needs to prepare itself for adding calorie labels to wine bottles, as the battle against obesity continues, warned Wine & Spirit Trade Association chief Miles Beale.

Cape Wine Auction hopes to raise thousands more for education in South Afrrica's winelands

Published: 24 November, 2014

Plans are in place for the second AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction which hopes to raise millions of rand to help fund education in the winelands of South Africa.

Krug releases three Grande Cuvées in special limited edition ID case

Published: 24 November, 2014

Fans of Krug Champagne can splash out this Christmas on a limited edition special gift box set that includes three bottles of Krug Grande Cuvée each with a different story behind the blend.

Wine suppliers say scrapping beer tie will have limited effect on wine

Published: 24 November, 2014

Wine suppliers say the vote to break the beer tie will have a limited effect on wine sales - while it may open up the market, most leaseholders are already free to buy wine from a supplier of their choice.

Supermarket and supplier relations at a "crossroads" warns Pernod Ricard UK chief

Published: 24 November, 2014

Relationships between major supermakets and their suppliers are now at a "crossroads" according to Denis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK, and we should expect tighter regulations to bring more control over the sector.

Buckingham Schenk MD Jon Pepper joins Enotria

Published: 24 November, 2014

Jon Pepper MW, managing director at Buckingham Schenk, is leaving the firm to become buying and retail director at Enotria.

Roger Jones adds a Canterbury tale to his tour of New Zealand

Published: 24 November, 2014

The car journey from Blenheim Airport to Waipara is one of the most beautiful drives you could envisage, with a wild coastline that is picture perfect.

Reh Kendermann boss Nik Schritz to step down

Published: 24 November, 2014

Nikolaus Schritz has decided to "quit while ahead", leaving Black Tower brand owner Reh Kendermann at the end of the year with sales up over 20%.

P Diddy looks to grow wine and spirits business

Published: 21 November, 2014

Famed rapper and businessman Sean 'Diddy' Combs has recently grown his partnership with Diageo to include De León tequila as well as Ciroc vodka, and has plans to further boost the portfolio.

Nielsen predicts grocery sales to decline by £1bn in 2014

Published: 21 November, 2014

As grocery sales fall for the third consecutive month, Nielsen predicts 2014 will herald an overall decline from £146 billion in 2013 to £145 billion.

Wine businesses slow to change and connect with consumers, says business guru

Published: 21 November, 2014

Wine businesses are too slow to change and engage with consumers, says business mentor Mike Greene.

The Week That Was: Wine Vision recap, top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 21 November, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

González Byass invests €2.5m in sustainability

Published: 21 November, 2014

Spanish sherrymaker and wine firm González Byass is investing €2.5 million in a new sustainability programme over the next three years.

UK wine trade slow to react to Millennials' sweet tooth, says Mintel

Published: 20 November, 2014

The 18 to 34 year-old age group is partial to sweeter wines, with 44% of wine buyers believing they're better quality than drier ones, but few UK brands have "attacked this space", says Mintel.

Mintel's Jonny Forsyth: Evolving tastes among global wine drinkers

Published: 20 November, 2014

Wine tastes are evolving but is the industry agile enough to take advantage? Mintel's research clearly illustrates how different the coveted Millennials are to previous generations, global drinks analyst Jonny Forsyth told Wine Vision.

France Summit video: what French producers and generics think of the UK market

Published: 20 November, 2014

Being able to highlight the steps they are taking to promote French wine in the UK as well as understand more the challenges of the British market were some of the key reasons producers and French generic and promotional bodies attended last month's Harpers France Summit.

Home Office Minister praises drinks industry efforts at Alcohol Concern conference

Published: 20 November, 2014

Home Office Minister Lynne Featherstone praised the drinks industry for the steps it has taken as part of the Responsibility Deal, and said local communities were best-placed to solve alcohol-related problems, in a speech at the Alcohol Concern conference yesterday.

France Summit video: UK trade figures on how to get the most out of French wine

Published: 20 November, 2014

The chance to understand the France wine category better, hear the views of leading UK buyers, distributors and retailers and meet like-minded people in the trade were some of the key reasons given by visitors who attended last month's Harpers France Summit.