Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Champagne Devaux appoints new president as Gillet steps down

Published: 04 March, 2019

Champagne Devaux has appointed Pascal Dubois as its new president following Laurent Gillet stepping down after more than 30 years.

Tim Atkin MW: Celebrating Creole

Published: 01 March, 2019

Compiling a list of the 10 best red and white grapes is an entertaining parlour game for consenting wine lovers. Should Chardonnay trump Riesling and Chenin Blanc? And what about Cabernet Sauvignon? Better or worse than Pinot Noir, Grenache or Nebbiolo? I’ve played this dozens of times around the world and the results differ more than you’d think. Yet some varieties never make the podium. There are more than 5,000 to choose from, but no one ever finds room for Aligoté, Dornfelder or Seyval Blanc.

Familia Torres & Jackson Family wineries join together to fight climate change

Published: 01 March, 2019

Spain's Familia Torres and California's Jackson Family wineries have, for over a decade now been taking very large steps to change business approaches in order to combat Climate Change. While they've been working on these projects separately to date, yesterday in Barcelona, Miguel Torres Sr. and Katie Jackson jointly announced the creation of the organisation, "International Wineries for Climate Action".

Quinta da Aveleda turns to rosé in £6 million Algarve investment

Published: 01 March, 2019

Portuguese wine producer Quinta da Aveleda has announced a £6 million investment in the Algarve, which is expected to primarily focus on the production of rosé wines.

Hatch Mansfield achieves BRC standard

Published: 28 February, 2019

Hatch Mansfield has been awarded an AA certificate for the BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers.

UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge winner announced

Published: 28 February, 2019

Jitka Auermüllerová from 67 Pall Mall has emerged top of the leader board in the UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2019.

WSTA and LWF reveal results of UK importers Brexit survey

Published: 28 February, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed the results of a survey carried out at its recent roundtable, held in partnership with the London Wine Fair (LWF), looking ahead to the potential effects of various Brexit outcomes on the trade.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

UK still ‘litmus test’ as global benchmark for wine brands

Published: 27 February, 2019

The UK market continues to be the shop window for the world of wine, with the on-trade driving premium sales.

James Hocking sets up new Californian wine agency

Published: 27 February, 2019

James Hocking, previously wine director at The Vineyard Cellars, has set up a new Californian-focused wine agency that will specialise in “boutique, family-owned wineries” and target “high end independent wine merchants, wine-focused restaurants and private clients”.

Rueda DO turns focus on Rueda rather than Verdejo in renewed UK export campaign

Published: 26 February, 2019

Boosted by a 2018 bumper crop, the Rueda DO wine board is this year renewing its export campaign switching its focus from the region’s predominant Verdejo grape variety to Rueda.

Raw Wine reveals line up for new ‘Speakers Corner’

Published: 26 February, 2019

Raw Wine London has “partnered with some of the UK’s top low-intervention organic, biodynamic and natural wine importers” for its new ‘Speakers Corner’ tasting and talks area.

Peter McCombie MW joins C&C Wines as portfolio ambassador

Published: 25 February, 2019

C&C Wines has welcomed Peter McCombie MW to its fold as a part-time portfolio ambassador.

Where do we go from Grüner?

Published: 25 February, 2019

Food compatibility and top-quality wines have made Austria a secret weapon for sommeliers wanting to impress their guests. Jo Gilbert looks at which varieties, regions and styles head their lists.

Domaines Paul Mas adds Domaine Les Verrières to its portfolio

Published: 25 February, 2019

Domaines Paul Mas has added Domaine Les Verrières, in the Grés de Montpellier appellation, to its portfolio of estates.

M Restaurants calls on hospitality industry to join it in raising ‘starting wage’

Published: 21 February, 2019

M Restaurants has introduced a new fixed £10 ‘starting wage’ and has called on the hospitality industry to follow suit.

South America pips Italy into second place for UK drinkers

Published: 21 February, 2019

There has been a shift at the top of the UK’s hotly contested wine rankings, with the combined sales of South American heavyweights Chile and Argentina overtaking Italy, the UK’s second most quaffed region, in terms of value.

DO wines drive double-digit Portuguese growth

Published: 21 February, 2019

Education and tourism were the key factors behind Portugal’s double-digit value growth in the UK last year, according to Sonia Vieira, marketing director of ViniPortugal.