Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Profile: Neville Abraham, Liberty Wines

Published: 15 March, 2022

On the eve of a reshuffle at Liberty Wines, Andrew Catchpole catches up with outgoing chair and serial restaurateur Neville Abraham for his views on the trade

Wines from Spain Awards Return for 2022

Published: 14 March, 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the first Wines from Spain Awards competition since 2019 will return this Spring to highlight the best Spanish wines available to the UK trade and press.

Growing thirst for Albariño to be backed by new campaign

Published: 11 March, 2022

The latest figures from DO Rias Baixas, Albariño’s home in ‘green’ north-western Iberia, show a 6.8% increase in volume and 14.8% jump in value sales in the UK in 2021 over the previous year, as the variety continues pull in the punters.

Producers, suppliers and experts invited to donate lots in auction for Ukraine

Published: 10 March, 2022

The UK wine world is pulling together to raise funds for Ukraine.

Online drinks sales growth cools, but remains far above pre-pandemic levels

Published: 10 March, 2022

Online sales of alcoholic drinks fell -18.5% YoY in the UK in February 2022, though nudged up 9.4% against those in the typically slow first month of January.

Russian buyers blocked from Barcelona

Published: 09 March, 2022

Twelve Russian wine buyers have been banned from attending the forthcoming Spanish wine fair, Barcelona Wine Week (BWW).

Argentina’s future should embrace ‘ancestral winemaking’

Published: 07 March, 2022

It’s been a few years since globetrotting oenologist Alberto Antonini proclaimed in Mendoza that the future should be ‘a little less Malbec and a little more Argentina’, set against that flagship variety’s exponential rise.

The taxing debate around duty

Published: 04 March, 2022

With the wine trade potentially facing a damaging new duty regime, Andrew Catchpole convened a panel at Wine Paris to ask: “Will the proposed new excise duties in the UK make wine unaffordable?”

Berry Bros. & Rudd launches its first podcast series

Published: 04 March, 2022

Fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd has launched its first podcast, Drinking Well, a six-part series designed to help listeners enjoy and shape their wine collection.

New Zealand trade deal could mean cheaper wine for UK shoppers

Published: 01 March, 2022

The UK has signed a far-reaching trade deal with New Zealand to remove trade barriers on many UK goods and services and provide new opportunities for British businesses.

World wakes up to Austrian wine quality

Published: 28 February, 2022

From Wachau to Neusiedlersee, David Kermode takes a trip through Austria’s must-know regions.

Two Brits join MW firmament

Published: 25 February, 2022

Justin Martindale MW and Jonny Orton MW have become the latest Masters of Wine.

Headline Hero: Labels for change and Most Wanted Wines

Published: 25 February, 2022

Design linking the liquid in the bottle to a worthy cause has reached a new level, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Almudena Alberca MW and Jamie del Río join Entrecanales Domecq Hijos board

Published: 23 February, 2022

Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos has announced that Almudena Alberca MW and Jaime del Río are joining the company’s board of directors.

Climate change a ‘strong threat’ for six out of 10 wineries

Published: 23 February, 2022

Sustainability is to form a “real pillar” of this year’s ProWein, with the challenge of matching economic sustainability with environmental goals acknowledged as a key issue for producers and trade alike.

Trade’s thirst for physical tastings returns

Published: 23 February, 2022

The trade is returning with increasing gusto to trade tastings, as evidenced in London yesterday (22 February) at two of the calendar’s most compelling annual events.

NZ’s finest feels the squeeze

Published: 23 February, 2022

A distinctly herbaceous flavour profile and pro-sustainability winemaking have boosted New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to the status of global phenomenon. Jo Gilbert looks at where the shortages go from here.

Q&A: Thomas Lancray, Roche Mazet

Published: 22 February, 2022

As France’s leading wine brand launches into the UK, winemaker Thomas Lancray gives Andrew Catchpole the lowdown on this Gallic success story.

Some relief in New Zealand as harvest looks to return to normal size

Published: 21 February, 2022

The first grapes of the 2022 New Zealand vintage have been harvested, with ongoing international demand and low stock levels meaning that winemakers are hoping for a significantly larger harvest this year.

National Wine Agency of Georgia announces expanded campaign for the UK

Published: 21 February, 2022

Following another year of strong export growth in the UK, the National Wine Agency of Georgia has confirmed an expanded promotional campaign for Britain.