Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Redefining Malbec

Published: 28 October, 2021

Argentina’s flagship grape continues to evolve, with renewed emphasis on vineyard sites and terroir. Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide, reports.

English and welsh producers celebrate end to sparkling ‘Super tax’

Published: 27 October, 2021

The news that the duty premium on sparkling wine being sold in the UK has been removed has been met with encouragement from the English and Welsh wine sector.

Landmark overhaul for alcohol duty is the biggest shakeup in 140 years

Published: 27 October, 2021

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced the most radical simplification of alcohol duties for over a century by slashing the number of main duty rates from 15 to six, while also cutting the premium on sparkling wine.

Kingsland Drinks backs eco wine brand with new listings

Published: 27 October, 2021

Kingsland Drinks is expanding the reach of eco wine brand The Hidden Sea with new listings in both Booths and Asda.

Christmas 2021: An optimistic appraisal

Published: 27 October, 2021

The British tabloids have spoken: Christmas 2021 is unlikely to yield much festive cheer. Unfortunately, this isn’t simply press hyperbole – the UK’s food industry is under enormous pressure, while retail supply chains continue to be stymied by a lack of HGV drivers.

Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a set of data in September which confirmed that the on-trade staffing crisis has not abated. “Sourcing staff has been one of our biggest challenges since we reopened,” says Avinash Shashidhara, head chef at Pali Hill restaurant in London.

Aldi launches premium Winemasters’ Lot wines for festive season

Published: 25 October, 2021

Aldi is introducing a ‘super premium’ wine range, Winemasters’ Lot, in time for the festive season, to complement and build on their Specially Selected selection. The wines will be available from 8 November, available in stores and online.

Building a wine subscription model

Published: 25 October, 2021

The traditional wine club has gone online and re-emerged as a strong subscription proposition for businesses of all shapes and sizes, as Jo Gilbert reports from Harpers’ SITT panel discussion.

Indigo Wine adds new producers to portfolio

Published: 21 October, 2021

Indigo Wine is adding a range of new producers to its portfolio, spanning some of the wine world’s most distant regions.

WSET takes a new approach to events via training hub

Published: 21 October, 2021

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is launching the WSET Events Hub, which will offer virtual events, as part of a new trade and consumer events strategy.

New Zealand deal is a ‘win’ for business

Published: 21 October, 2021

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed news of a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, which could lead to the removal of all tariffs on goods between the two countries.

Ventisquero appoints Les Caves de Pyrène as distributor for Tara label

Published: 21 October, 2021

Chilean producer Ventisquero Wine Estates (VWE) has appointed Les Caves de Pyrène as distributor for its Tara brand.

What is the cost of blockchain?

Published: 21 October, 2021

The WSTA summit highlighted how the potential for blockchain and other digital supply chain technologies are quickly taking off at pace for wine. But given its energy-guzzling reputation, is this solution sustainable? Jo Gilbert reports.

Two travel bursaries awarded for 2021 Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship

Published: 19 October, 2021

Two travel bursaries in Gerard Basset’s name are set to be awarded this year.

Sparkling wine premium could be scrapped in alcohol duty overhaul

Published: 19 October, 2021

Reports from the national press suggest that the premium on sparkling wine duty could be scrapped by chancellor Rishi Sunak in the upcoming Autumn Budget in a move which could bring sparkling wine duty in line with still.

WSTA makes further calls for duty freeze

Published: 19 October, 2021

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is again calling on the Government to freeze alcohol duty as consumers face record high prices over the festive period.

Diverse paths

Published: 19 October, 2021

Jo Gilbert caught up with the first two winners of the Gérard Basset Foundation’s diversity scholarships to talk wine, representation and onward journeys.

The big freeze

Published: 18 October, 2021

The tailbacks at Felixstowe are the latest plot-twist in the ongoing Covid and Brexit supply saga which is causing disruption for operators. Jo Gilbert looks at the impact on bulk shipments.

Coravin opens first pop-up wine bar and retail outlet

Published: 14 October, 2021

Coravin, the wine preservation system, is to open its very first pop-up wine bar and retail outlet in London.

Tim Atkin MW: The new joy of travel

Published: 14 October, 2021

After 18 months of Zoom calls, Instagram Lives and home tastings, of Coravin capsules, small samples and endless recycling bags, I finally got to visit a wine region two weeks ago. To be strictly accurate, I did go on an inspirational visit to Danbury Ridge in Essex last year, squeezed in between lockdowns, but my trip to Ribera del Duero involved getting on a plane and flying to another country. Spain always lifts my spirits, but this time they soared.

Long Read: Who do you think you are talking to?

Published: 14 October, 2021

Simon Huntington, former head of ecommerce at trade merchant and retailer Roberson Wine, looks at some of the difficulties faced by companies who have diversified into online retail and outlines how by trying to talk to everyone, they risk being heard by no one.