Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Portugal wine exports up in UK as quality message hits home

Published: 03 March, 2016

Portugal's wine exports to the UK grew 4% in value in 2015, according to figures released yesterday by ViniPortugal.

Wines from Spain to showcase innovation and diversity at 2016 tasting

Published: 03 March, 2016

Wines from Spain will this year be hosting its 27th annual trade fair at London's Tobacco Dock on Thursday, April 14.

Champagne de Castelnau unveils limited release Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2003

Published: 03 March, 2016

Champagne de Castelnau is to release a rare Blanc de Blancs from the challenging 2003 vintage.

Croft Pink raises profile with new 50cl bottle

Published: 02 March, 2016

The Fladgate Partnership has released a new 50cl bottle for its Croft Pink Rosé Port designed to appeal to both the on- and off-trade.

Wine Australia expands ProWein showcase to reflect diversity

Published: 01 March, 2016

Wine Australia will be celebrating the storied history of Australian wines at its largest showcase yet at ProWein this month.

Matthew Clark introduces virtual-reality wine-tasting concept at annual tasting

Published: 01 March, 2016

Leading on-trade distributor Matthew Clark is to offer visitors to its annual trade tasting this what it believes is the UK's virtual-vineyard wine-tasting experience.

KWV targets premium gap in the market with North South Wines

Published: 29 February, 2016

Leading South African wine producer KWV has appointed North South Wines as its UK distributor, taking over from Leeds-based Bottle Green, which was acquired by Kingsland Drinks early last year.

Vranken Pommery launches Provence and Camargue rosés in the UK

Published: 29 February, 2016

Champagne house Vranken Pommery Monopole is releasing a range of 2015 vintage rosés from its Camargue and Provence vineayards on the UK market as the popularity of drier, Provence-style rosés continues to grow.

German Pinots thriving ahead of 2016 promotional drive

Published: 29 February, 2016

Wines of Germany is planning a major promotional push on Pinot wines this year, as data from Neilsen confirms huge UK growth over the past year.

New Zealand's Craggy Range switches to Bibendum PLB

Published: 29 February, 2016

New Zealand premium single-vineyard winery Craggy Range has moved its UK distribution from Louis Latour Agencies to Bibendum PLB.

Berry Bros & Rudd in promotional drive for Virginia Wines

Published: 26 February, 2016

Berry Bros & Rudd customers who buy a six-bottle mixed case of Virginia wines may win a four-night trip to the wineries of Virginia, as part of a promotion with Virginia Wine which will run throughout March.

Nina Sears joins Louis Latour Agencies

Published: 26 February, 2016

Fine wine distributor Louis Latour Agencies has appointed Nina Sears as regional account manager for the Midlands, Wales and the South-West.

Food pairing drives booming UK sales for Provence rosé

Published: 26 February, 2016

Sales of Provence rosé wines rose dramatically in the UK last year, up 37% by volume year on year and 11% by value, according to figures from regional marketing body, the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence.

Great Western hails success of "spur of the moment" pop-up tasting

Published: 25 February, 2016

Bath-based national wine merchant Great Western Wines has successfully launched its first consumer-focused pop-up tasting.

Taylor's Port takes home two from Cellars in the Sky awards

Published: 24 February, 2016

Taylor's has won two medals at the annual Cellars in the Sky awards, held at the Hilton London Bankside earlier this week.

Matthew Clark partners with Marco Pierre White for 2016 tasting

Published: 23 February, 2016

Legendary British chef Marco Pierre White will be joining leading UK on-trade distributor Matthew Clark at its Discover Love Inspire trade tasting on March 8.

South African harvest 2016

Published: 23 February, 2016

The hottest growing season in South Africa since 1904, according to official statistics, is having a major impact on production for the current vintage. Yields are dramatically lower - down by as much as 60% or more in certain regions like Swartland - with the national crush expected to the smallest for over a decade.

London Stock Exchange singles out Chapel Down in annual SME report

Published: 23 February, 2016

Kent's Chapel Down winery has become the first UK wine producer to feature in the London Stock Exchange's annual 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain report.

Walker & Wodehouse and Vagabond Wines to mark anniversary of Maule earthquake

Published: 23 February, 2016

Wine merchant, Walker & Wodehouse has partnered with independent retailer, Vagabond Wines, to celebrate the first wines from the Ploughmen Project, which arose in response to the Chilean earthquake of February 27, 2010.