Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New Horizons Q&A: Louise Gordon, Heckfield Place

Published: 07 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for a better year.

BWS supermarket sales surge 25%

Published: 05 January, 2021

Supermarket sales of beer, wines and spirits (BWS) surged 25% to £4.9m in the 12 weeks to 27 December – an increase of £972m compared to the same period last year, according to Kantar data released today.

Hayward Bros adds trio of agencies

Published: 04 January, 2021

Hayward Bros has added three new agencies to its portfolio.

New Horizons Q&A: Paul Jenkins, Caprice Holdings

Published: 04 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for the year ahead.

New Horizons Q&A: Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company

Published: 17 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties play out across an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses as to their predictions for trade deep into the new year.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Britain 2021 – Fear or opportunity?

Published: 17 December, 2020

As we come to the end of this extraordinary year and look towards the future, are we filled with feelings of fear or opportunity, or a strange mix of both?

Innovation showcase

Published: 15 December, 2020

James Lawrence rounds up the biggest launches from a tumultuous, yet ever-creative, year

Ex-Silicon Valley entrepreneur launches experiential wine platform

Published: 14 December, 2020

Ex-Silicon Valley entrepreneur Michael Baum, owner of Burgundy estate Chateau de Pommard, has launched an experiential wine platform with sustainability at its heart.

Second highest result ever for Hospices de Beaune auction

Published: 14 December, 2020

The 160th Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction, held one month later than expected due to Covid concerns, reached its second-best result ever of €13,4m (£12,2m), excluding the buyer’s premium.

Jascots snapped up by Freixenet Copestick

Published: 14 December, 2020

Freixenet Copestick has announce that it has purchased the assets and business of Jascots Wine Merchants from the administrators.

Balfour partners with Bibendum and Matthew Clark

Published: 14 December, 2020

Bibendum, Matthew Clark, and Walker & Wodehouse has signed a deal as the exclusive distributors for English wine producer Balfour Wines.

Half measures for on-trade groups post lockdown

Published: 14 December, 2020

Around half of Britain’s managed pubs, restaurants and bars were open and trading last week as lockdown ended and the new tier levels came into force in England, but sales were significantly down even in those sites able to open.

eProvenance launches IBM blockchain-powered platform to optimise wine supply chain

Published: 14 December, 2020

eProvenance, a company specialising in monitoring and analysing wine shipment conditions, has launched an IMB blockchain-powered platform designed to provide a “smarter and highly secured” way to track wines as they move through distribution from vineyard to consumer.

‘Nouvelle generation’ to drive Beaujolais export potential

Published: 10 December, 2020

With good recent vintages to its name and wines that sit squarely with the modern trend towards fresher, lighter styles, Beaujolais certainly appears to be well placed to capture the attention of a new generation of drinkers. Add in ‘ownership’ of Gamay, a distinctive and easy-to-like variety, and the region also offers a sense of discovery (or re-discovery for older drinkers) in a world awash with international grapes.

WSTA membership climbs as it releases Brexit checklist

Published: 10 December, 2020

A record number of wine and spirit businesses have joined the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this year following a recruitment drive bolstered by concerns over Covid and Brexit.

New Horizons Q&A: Ben McKellar, Gingerman Restaurants Group

Published: 09 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties playing out an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses as to their predictions for trade deep into the new year.

WSET and Worshipful Company of Distillers launch annual bursary fund

Published: 09 December, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Worshipful Company of Distillers have teamed up to help support the leaders of tomorrow get ahead in their careers.

Fine wine reaches a record high on Liv-ex

Published: 09 December, 2020

Fine wine has remained buoyant this year, with increased reliance on technology and automated trading helping the market to reach as yet unprecedented levels.

New Horizons Q&A: Archie McDiarmid, Luvians

Published: 09 December, 2020

Future of Wine Forum calls for industry leadership

Published: 09 December, 2020

Among many insightful climate-related sessions at the Future of Wine Forum 2020, the plenary discussion on what wine industry leadership should look like stood out. Andrew Catchpole reports