Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Berry Bros & Rudd ups stake in Anchor Distilling Company

Published: 05 December, 2017

Berry Bros & Rudd has increased its shareholding stake of Anchor Distilling Company (ADC).

Co-op claims UK first with Lebanese Fairtrade wine

Published: 05 December, 2017

The Co-op has claimed a UK first with the launch of Côteaux les Cèdres - the first wine from Lebanon and the Middle-East to have both Fairtrade and organic certifications.

Copestick Murray acquires Free Run Wines

Published: 04 December, 2017

Copestick Murray has acquired Free Run Wines for an undisclosed sum just over a month after it bought a 40% stake in The Slurp Wine Company.

Subscription service pushing Italian wines set for launch

Published: 04 December, 2017

A new subscription service aimed at pushing Italian wine in the UK is set for launch next week.

Armit Wines releases 2009 vintage of La Rioja Alta’s Gran Reserva 904

Published: 04 December, 2017

Armit Wines has today released the 2009 vintage of La Rioja Alta's Gran Reserva 904.

DEFRA minister quizzed by trade on timetables and trade-route worries

Published: 01 December, 2017

Disruption at ports like Dover and the impact of drawn-out Brexit negotiations were two of the concerns raised at a meeting of the trade and Defra Food and Drink Minister, George Eustice.

New M Wine Bar ups stakes in London's wine by the glass offer

Published: 01 December, 2017

The hybrid M Restaurant and Wine Store in Victoria has further evolved its vinous offer with the introduction of a wine bar and what it says is “the largest collection of perfectly preserved wines by the glass in London”.

Turkey sets sight on 'quality' export markets

Published: 30 November, 2017

Wines of Turkey held their third annual London tasting yesterday with producers – suffering high domestic sales taxes and growing local restrictions on promotions and sales – eager to boost exports beyond the traditional markets, Germany and the US.

McGuigan reveals plans to tap thirst for single varietals

Published: 30 November, 2017

McGuigan has revealed a line a NPD poised to hit shelves next year in a bid to tap Brits’ increasing thirst for single varietals wines.

WSET reveals annual awards nominees

Published: 29 November, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced the nominees for two of its most prestigious awards – Educator of the Year and Outstanding Alumni.

The pros and cons of importing direct

Published: 29 November, 2017

Bypassing the traditional middleman can be tempting for indie merchants says Chris Wilson, who looks at the highs and lows of importing direct.

The creation of Priorat Singulars

Published: 29 November, 2017

A new association of producers from Catalonia’s DOQ Priorat officially presented their new Priorat Singulars group in Barcelona on 27 November, representing a new initiative to raise the profile of the region's very top wines.

New reference point for English wine with first EU cross-border appellation approval

Published: 28 November, 2017

Wines of England may be known for their sparkling production, but their still wines now have a new cool climate reference point to compare with.

The Pack Outsider

Published: 27 November, 2017

Wine is thinking inside the box again when it comes to new formats, recognising that consumers want both smaller and more sharing possibilities. By Lisa Riley

Dragon backs new sugar-free wine range

Published: 27 November, 2017

Investors have backed the healthy drinking trend by ploughing funds into a range of new Italian wines which are tipped to be completely sugar and carb free.

Five sommeliers from across the UK and Ireland recipients of NZW scholarship

Published: 27 November, 2017

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) today announced that five out of its eight European recipients of its 2018 International Sommelier Scholarship are from the UK and Ireland.

Meet the buyers: James Hocking, The Vineyard Cellars

Published: 27 November, 2017

Harpers gets the lowdown from specialist retailer buyer James Hocking, wine director at The Vineyard Cellars

Three Choirs launches ‘first release’ still white for the first time in six years

Published: 27 November, 2017

Three Choirs Vineyards has launched a ‘first release’ still white wine for the first time in six years.

Connecting with Generation Z

Published: 24 November, 2017

A new generation coming up behind the Millennials is presenting new challenges to the drinks trade. Andrew Catchpole reports from the Global Drinks Forum in Berlin