Nick Gillett: How the duty rise reveals the lack of duty to business

It doesn’t seem to matter what flavour of government you have at the moment – when it comes to the spirits and hospitality industries, there’s a stench of incompetence. In Scotland we have the incredibly public failure of the DRS scheme, which, as a result, has wasted millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money. But don’t be fooled – it really is no better, south of the border. Westminster will raise you a cock up, in the form of the increased duty rates.

Over the line on duty

So, the deadline has come and gone – and despite an avalanche of criticism, including a letter sent by Hennings Wine owner Matt Hennings to his local MP in June, begging the government to wake up and smell the bonfire, the trade is now facing increases to the tune of 20% or 44p per 75cl bottle.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Vanessa Stolz, Restaurant Pine

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with Vanessa Stolz, head sommelier at Restaurant Pine, to find out how the year has gone so far, and what the remainder may bring.

Guy Woodward: Wine is about people more than grapes

Rarely have I tried to recall an email as quickly as I did after notifying a female contact that it would be great if she could find time to meet up, as I’d heard how busty she was these days.

Shaking it up with disruptive branding

Rowena Curlewis, head of design agency Denomination, extols the virtues of disruptive branding in a crowded wine and spirits world.

Five minutes with Frances Bentley, LWC

With turnover rising from £280m in 2019 to £530m last year, drinks wholesaler LWC has also been busy strengthening its wine offer. Andrew Catchpole catches up with wine buyer Frances Bentley for the lowdown.

Jerry Lockspeiser: It’s time the Bank of England joined us in the real world

The Bank of England’s decision to increase the base rate to 5% is a stab in the eye to under pressure businesses and struggling consumers. It would be hard enough to swallow if it were the right medicine for the illness. When it is based on a misdiagnosis it is unacceptable.

Tim Atkin MW: Why AI matters

My friend Matt likes to confuse algorithms. “Every now and then, I type the first thing that comes into my head into Google, Facebook or Instagram,” he told me. “Emperor penguins, Everest, wrestling, Taylor Smith, cupcakes.” In a world where our digital footprint is used by everyone from advertisers to political parties, it’s a spirited attempt to put AI off the scent.

Five minutes with Ben Bernheim, Pink.wine

The boom in rosé sales in the UK is more complicated than it first appears, as Ben Bernheim, rosé expert and co-owner of Pink.wine, explains to Andrew Catchpole, with just some big names driving the market.

UK government overrules glass inclusion in Scottish DRS

The latest back and forth between the UK government and Scotland’s devolved powers has derailed plans for Scotland to include glass as part of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), with glass now to be fully excluded both north and south of the border.

Exclusive: Hallgarten to hold duty rise in bid to ease pain for trade customers

Faced with a significant duty rise from 1 August, many in the business of selling wine are bracing themselves for a new round of pain. Unwilling to pass on price rises to cash-strapped customers, but needing to protect already thin margins, this unpopular hike in tax is understandably the talk of the trade. And all of this is to happen at a time when implementation will impact on hospitality outlets, forcing a reorganisation of wine lists during the crucial summer trading period.

Friday read: Snoop Dogg Q&A

With Cali Red and Rosé to his name, the Doggfather speaks to Andrew Catchpole about his partnership with Treasury Wine Estates’ 19 Crimes label and his take on the world of wine.

LWF analysis: A 'different' proposition

Several exhibitors eschewed the traditional walk-up model at the London Wine Fair (LWF) this year, in a move to more creative ways of appealing to would-be customers, with interesting results.

Kanonkop marks 50th with salvo of older vintages in London

Kanonkop Wine Estate celebrated its half century yesterday (11 May) with a masterclass looking back at notable older vintages of Estate Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon, stretching back several decades.

Despite ‘greedflation’ concerns, alcohol brand loyalty remains high

A majority of Britons believe companies are using inflation to mask price gouging. But despite price rises, loyalty to alcohol brands remains high, according to new findings by consumer research platform Attest.

Waitrose trials removing sleeves from wine bottle necks

Waitrose has become the first UK supermarket to test selling wine bottles without the familiar plastic and foil sleeves, in a move which forms part of supermarket’s aim to ‘reduce unnecessary packaging’.

Sustainability Report: The Co-op interview

For decades the Co-op has led the way in ethical trading and renewable energy in the grocery sector. In 2023, how is this reflected in its BWS offering? James Bayley reports.

South America producer Q&A: Pepe Moquillaza, Peru

Washington sets out credentials at London tasting

Washington State Wines put in one of its strongest showings yet at its March UK tasting, with ‘vivacity’ and ‘diversity’ being two of the clear stylistic takeaways from this London outing.

Producer Q&A: Rebekah Wineburg, Quintessa