Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The Wine Society temporarily closes

Published: 24 March, 2020

The Wine Society has taken the decision to stop taking new orders and also to stop making deliveries with immediate effect.

Bacardi launches $3m on-trade support initiative

Published: 24 March, 2020

Bacardi has pledged $3m to support bars and restaurants around the world debilitated by the coronavirus shutdown.

Drinks companies join forces to plea for duty suspension

Published: 23 March, 2020

An initial 32 drinks companies (all WSTA members) have joined forces to plea for a cash lifeline, calling collectively on the Chancellor to suspend duty.

Diageo GB funds drinks information line

Published: 22 March, 2020

Diageo has today launched an information phone line that will be available to support licensed business owners who want to access the commercial measures announced by the government.

Friday Read: UK wineries battle coronavirus crisis with British determination

Published: 20 March, 2020

Rapidly slowing exports, a pivoting to direct to consumer sales as on-trade sales stall and vineyards on lock down – such is the picture of the UK wine industry today as it grapples with the ongoing disruption from the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Cambridge indies react to coronavirus uncertainty

Published: 20 March, 2020

Cambridge-based Chris Wilson gets on his bike for a taste of what it’s like for those at the sharp end of wine retail.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in the can

Published: 20 March, 2020

Lanchester Wines is to launch the UK’s first Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in a 187ml can.

LWF postpones 2020 event

Published: 20 March, 2020

London Wine Fair (LWF) has become the latest major wine event to be postponed due to coronavirus (Covid-19).

CIVB postpones inaugural Bordeaux Day

Published: 20 March, 2020

Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) has postponed its inaugural Bordeaux Day due to coronavirus (Covid-19).

Jancis Robinson publishes major list of indie wine retailers delivering to self-isolators

Published: 19 March, 2020

Jancis Robinson MW has published a major list of independent wine retailers that are keeping lines of sales and delivery open amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Pierre Mansour, The Wine Society, on trade as the crisis escalates

Published: 19 March, 2020

Pierre Mansour, head buyer at The Wine Society, speaks to Andrew Catchpole on the immediate impact of the crisis, managing the spike in sales, supply and virtual initiatives to keep members engaged.

Argentina report: Darling of  the on-trade

Published: 19 March, 2020

Argentinian wine continues to be a UK success story, fighting through currency woes and falling wine consumption,  as James  Lawrence reports

Greater urgency and clarity on business and on-trade support needed immediately

Published: 19 March, 2020

As the on-trade shuts down, suppliers and hospitality operators are continuing to press government and banks on the speed with which relief measures are needed by the trade.

Coronavirus: Supplier responses to the Chancellor’s support measures

Published: 18 March, 2020

As the extraordinary complexity of the current situation fully sinks in, Andrew Catchpole discovers how those supplying the on-trade have reacted to the Chancellor’s support measures for businesses.

Argentina report: Country on the rise

Published: 18 March, 2020

In the first of our series on Argentina, James Lawrence reports (pre-coronavirus) on how the 2016 election has helped introduce the country to a new era of wine exports and global trade.

Michael Broadbent MW passes away

Published: 18 March, 2020

Harpers has learned of the sad passing of critic and auctioneer Michael Broadbent MW, who has died, aged 92.

Majestic reassures over stock after big spike in demand for EU wines

Published: 17 March, 2020

Majestic Wine has realised a statement saying “shelves will stay stacked with wine” after customer stockpiling drove dramatic increases in demand for wines over the weekend.

France lockdown presenting challenge for some UK importers

Published: 17 March, 2020

President Macron’s announcement on Monday (16 March) that France is to close its borders to all but essential movement and trade, coupled with a ban on non-essential movement of people domestically, is also seeing some warehouses and businesses shut up shop as the coronavirus situation worsens.

LWF update now expected Wednesday

Published: 16 March, 2020

Harpers has learned that the board of Hemming Group, owner of the London Wine Fair (LWF), has delayed a meeting to assess the viability of all upcoming events until Wednesday (18 March), with a statement to be made "later in the week".

Coronaviris: Harpers to assist business with exchange of ideas, advice and information

Published: 16 March, 2020

In response to the advancing coronavirus crisis, the Harpers team is asking off and on-trade business, large and small, to share strategies and initiatives designed to help drive commercial activity and sales through a period of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty.