Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Waitrose wine sales soar

Published: 14 September, 2017

Waitrose has revealed that its wine sales for the week ending 9 September were up by more than 31% on the same period last year driven by promotions.

Chateau Angelus to step up wine tourism focus

Published: 13 September, 2017

Iconic Saint-Emilion property Chateau Angelus is in 'a gradual but important period of transition,' according to its director Stephanie de Bouard.

Former Accolade CEO Paul Schaafsma joins Invivo board

Published: 12 September, 2017

New Zealand winery Invivo, known for launching the Graham Norton wine brand, has appointed former Accolade Wines CEO Paul Schaafsma to its board as an independent director.

WSTA calls on government to ‘stop punishing consumers’ as wine prices continue to rise

Published: 12 September, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the government to “stop punishing consumers” as its latest market report, released today, revealed the impact of the triple whammy price hike.

Exports for Beaujolais categories to the UK soar

Published: 11 September, 2017

Exports for all Beaujolais categories to the UK soared during the first part of this year, according to the latest figures released today by Business France.

Symington collaborates on robot field trials as labour shortfall hits Douro

Published: 11 September, 2017

Symington Family Estates has been at the centre of trials to robotise vineyards in a bid to make up for a workforce deficit in the Douro.

Langham Wine Estate appoints first head of sales & marketing

Published: 11 September, 2017

Langham Wine Estate has appointed Caroline Gitsham as head of sales & marketing – a new role created as the Dorset sparkling wine producer expands its production and tourism potential.

Rathfinny first to gain ‘Sussex’ wine approval as it seals distribution deal with Gonzalez Byass

Published: 11 September, 2017

A still white wine has become the first ‘Sussex’ wine to win approval under the new Sussex Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) scheme.

Armit Wines releases new wine from La Rioja Alta S.A.

Published: 04 September, 2017

Armit Wines has added Martelo 2012 – a new wine from Torre de Oña in Rioja Alavesa (part of the La Rioja Alta S.A. stable), to its Spanish wine menu.

Boutinot gives Italia portfolio makeover

Published: 04 September, 2017

Boutinot has given its Italia range a heritage-inspired makeover to boost the Italian wine category in the UK.

Four Brits on list of new MWs

Published: 04 September, 2017

A list of 14 new MWs includes four Brits, comprised of a former investment banker, a modern languages graduate, and two marketing managers.

TWE launch targets growing male millennial segment

Published: 01 September, 2017

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has unveiled the latest product in its "male millennial" wine range, in a bid to cement its position in this increasingly sigificant category.

The Good Wine Shop embraces hybrid model

Published: 31 August, 2017

West London merchant The Good Wine Shop has become the latest independent to roll out an on-premise food and wine element to its business with the launch of platters and by-the-glass wines at its Kew shop.

ABS adds first Oregon wineries to its menu

Published: 30 August, 2017

Awin Barratt Siegel (ABS) has added two Oregon wineries, marking the first producers from the US state to join the wholesaler and importer’s portfolio.

Joe Fattorini: There’s no wisdom in crowd sourcing wine columns

Published: 30 August, 2017

Are you friends with wine writers on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter? Then you'll be familiar with "#JournoRequest!!!". Or maybe "Help from the #hivemind..." and "Hey everyone, I need your tips". Crowd-sourced wine writing.

World’s largest gathering of Aussie Women in Wine to descend on London

Published: 29 August, 2017

Wine Australia’s Women in Wine event on 26 September will see some 57 female winemakers and winery owners on hand at Australia House in London for an event that aims to help drive perception of premium Aussie wines and bring new wines to market.

Millennials and the power of online reviews

Published: 29 August, 2017

Online reviews can increasingly make or break a business and nowhere is this more true than with millennials and the restaurant world.

Looking ahead: Michael Patterson, D&D London

Published: 25 August, 2017

With the autumn tasting season soon upon us, as the trade prepares for the run up to the all-important Christmas trading period, Harpers is running a web series asking leading voices in the trade what trends and challenges they’re expecting to face in the latter half of 2017.

Virtually vertical

Published: 23 August, 2017

Jo Gilbert looks at the marketing tool the big wine and Champagne houses are all latching on to

WSET alumni to present new Careers Series events

Published: 22 August, 2017

From this September the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) will introduce the first of a new series of monthly workshops at which prominent trade figures will host panel discussions, presentations and tastings for the benefit of both current students and those that may be considering enrolling on its educational courses.