Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Morgenrot chairman and founder Rudi Plath passes away

Published: 20 December, 2021

Rudi Plath, the founder of Morgenrot and well-known character in the wine and beer trade, passed away on 17 December.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Caroline Thompson-Hill, MD for Europe, Accolade Wines

Published: 20 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Caroline Thompson-Hill takes stock of the lessons of 2021 and calls out the challenge posed to trade by the proposed alcohol duty reforms.

A year in review: The 2021 challenge

Published: 20 December, 2021

James Lawrence picks out the highs and lows of another history-making year.

Liberty adds to calls on government to reconsider wine duty reforms

Published: 17 December, 2021

Liberty Wines has joined a growing roster of UK drinks companies in voicing its concerns around the upcoming government alcohol duty review, which is under consultation until 30 January 2022.

Saint Emilion chateau moves into Riesling

Published: 17 December, 2021

Château Petit Val, a property based in Saint Emilion, has released two new leftfield cuvées – a pure varietal Riesling and Malbec wine.

"Landmark" UK/Australia trade deal finalised

Published: 17 December, 2021

The UK and Australia have reached an historic agreement on trade, in a move that has been welcomed by the WSTA.

Louis Roederer BAME Educational Bursary recipients announced

Published: 15 December, 2021

BAME Wine Professionals, the diversity-promoting website created by Mags Janjo and

Bouncing Back Q&A: Jacob Leadley, CEO & winemaker, Black Chalk Wine

Published: 15 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Jacob Leadley takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

Wine vision

Published: 15 December, 2021

James Lawrence reports on the main findings from the ninth annual Sopexa Wine Trade Monitor survey.

Hatch Mansfield welcomes new Portuguese agency

Published: 15 December, 2021

UK importer Hatch Mansfield has expanded its portfolio with the addition of Portuguese wine brand Esporão.

Profile: Andrew Porton, Lanchester Wines

Published: 15 December, 2021

Stepping up as MD of Lanchester’s wine division, Andrew Porton explains why he’s excited about the future and what The Wine Fusion brings to the party. Andrew Catchpole reports

Bouncing Back Q&A: David Gates, CEO, Laithwaites

Published: 13 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, David Gates, CEO, Laithwaites takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

Harpers Design Awards 2021 – The Winners

Published: 13 December, 2021

People buy with their eyes and clever design can also deliver strong cues as to what will be in the bottle, conveying clear messages that help bridge the gap between consumer and producer, as Andrew Catchpole reports from this year’s Harpers Design Awards.

Indies: Sustainable steps

Published: 10 December, 2021

With sustainability roaring back to the top of the agenda, Harpers surveyed the indie sector to discover what demonstrable initiatives, innovations and actions leading merchants have implemented on their green journey.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Quique Dacosta, owner, Arros QD, London

Published: 10 December, 2021

With three Michelin stars under his belt, Spanish chef Quique Dacosta opened his first London venue, the paella celebrating Arros QD, in 2019. He talks to Harpers about surviving the perfect storm of Covid, Brexit and the ongoing difficulties for hospitality.

WSTA members call on Government to reconsider proposed duty hikes on Port and sherry

Published: 09 December, 2021

New Government legislation will mean an additional 13% price increase overnight added to every bottle of fortified wine entering the country come January of next year, according to Steve Moody, chairman of Fells, which counts the Ports of Symington Family Estates, Blandy’s Madeira and Barbadillo sherries in its portfolio.

New Zealand Winegrowers to embrace hybrid event model in 2022

Published: 08 December, 2021

Following the success of the inaugural virtual New Zealand Wine Week in 2021, New Zealand Winegrowers will expand the format to include a mixture of live events and digital shows in 2022, beginning on 8 February 2022 (NZT).

Bouncing Back Q&A: Sam Thackeray, MD, Enotria & Coe

Published: 08 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Sam Thackery of Enotria & Coe takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

Mondavi winery to release new vinous art collection via blockchain

Published: 07 December, 2021

One of California's leading wine brands is poised to launch a new series of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), each one representing a porcelain magnum of Napa red.