Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Independent outlook

Published: 14 December, 2017

Looking ahead to 2018, James Lawrence finds the indie sector in a buoyant mood, with flexibility key to meeting the challenges ahead

Scotland gets new wine importer and wholesaler

Published: 14 December, 2017

Terroir, a new wine importer and wholesaler, has been launched to offer exclusive wines to operators in Scotland.

Tenerife poised to launch new PDO

Published: 14 December, 2017

A surge of interest in distinctive terroir-driven wines has spurred on Tenerife winemakers in the sub-tropical Canary Islands to launch a new Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) scheme.

Berry Bros appoints Enotria & Coe’s Davies to lead role

Published: 13 December, 2017

Berry Bros & Rudd has appointed Enotria & Coe’s Matt Davies to the new role of MD for Field’s, Morris & Verdin and Berry Bros & Rudd Wholesale.

Major alleged fake Bordeaux investigation causes stir in Bordeaux

Published: 13 December, 2017

French customs authorities have opened a major investigation into the alleged sale of more than half a million bottles of fake Bordeaux to key international wine distributors.

Majestic predicts ‘unusual’ year for wine in 2018

Published: 13 December, 2017

Majestic Wine has predicted an “unusual” year for wine in 2018 as part of its ‘eight trends’ report.

Chapel Down to ‘accelerate growth’ as it raises £18.53m via fundraising

Published: 13 December, 2017

Chapel Down has raised £18.53m through the issue of new shares, with the intention of raising a further £1.47m via an additional open offer for existing shareholders.

Vivino adds ‘Amazon Prime’ style free shipping service

Published: 12 December, 2017

Leading wine app Vivino has today launched a premium service offering customers free shipping.

“Bump in the road” predicted for imports of Oz wine

Published: 12 December, 2017

Retailers in the UK are being warned to take care when it comes to securing supply of Australian wine as increased competition from China and the US places pressure on exports.

Boutinot maps South Africa with three-tiers regional range

Published: 12 December, 2017

Boutinot has expanded its South African portfolio with a three-tiers range created to chart the story of the Cape’s regional diversity and simplify it for consumers.

CA Grand Crus hails 2017 Bordeaux vintage one of the most challenging to date

Published: 07 December, 2017

The 2017 vintage in Bordeaux has been hailed as one of the most challenging in the region's history as extensive frost damage in April dramatically reduced yields in key appellations.

Global shortfall to deliver “unprecedented” impact, says Kingsland

Published: 07 December, 2017

“The dynamics of the current market are unprecedented,” Kevin Wilson, Kingsland’s buying controller for South America and South Africa, has told Harpers, with reference to the OIV-estimated 10% global vintage shortfall in 2017.

San Leonardo to make first foray into fizz

Published: 07 December, 2017

Historic Trentino estate San Leonardo has revealed it is moving into sparkling wine production in line with a trend for producers in the region replacing red grapes with varieties used for bubbles.

Off-Piste Wines reshuffles management team

Published: 07 December, 2017

Most Wanted producer Off-Piste Wines has reshuffled its management team as part of a new growth strategy.

Tim Atkin MW: Wine's luxury lustre

Published: 06 December, 2017

Serendipity is part of the pleasure of owning a wine cellar. Unless you’re the kind of person who keeps a log of every bottle that’s down there – I’m as organised as the next Virgo, but there are limits – these chance discoveries are wonderful. Well, most of the time. For every bottle of oxidised Condrieu or dried-out claret, there are dozens that are exciting to unearth. I had a bottle of 2006 TMV Swartland Syrah recently, made by Chris and Andrea Mullineux before they set up their own now globally famous winery in South Africa, and it was a revelation.

Boutinot makes first foray into Hungarian wine

Published: 06 December, 2017

Boutinot has made its first foray into Hungarian wine with two of the country’s producers joining its portfolio.

Berkmann Wine Cellars boosts North American portfolio

Published: 06 December, 2017

Berkmann Wine Cellars has signed a deal as the exclusive UK agent and distributor of Californian producers Silverado Vineyards and Buena Vista Winery, alongside Canadian winery Quails’ Gate.

Finding the place of Cava de Paraje

Published: 05 December, 2017

Without the quality ladders of tiered local classifications, Cava de Paraje amounts to little more than a series of “remote Grand Cru islands”, argues Miquel Hudin.