Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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.

WSET appoints first dedicated on-territory US team

Published: 05 December, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has appointed its first dedicated on-territory team for the US wine and spirits market.

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.