Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The B2C shift: Driving it home

Published: 24 April, 2020

The coronavirus (Covid-19) has opened up a new world of B2C engagement for businesses offering a lifeline to consumers stuck inside their homes, as Jo Gilbert reports.

Wine consumption in OZ holding up but spend is down

Published: 23 April, 2020

Wine consumption in Australia has been holding up during lockdown, but spend per bottle is down, according to new Wine Intelligence Covid-19 research.

Staples bolsters Lay & Wheeler senior team

Published: 23 April, 2020

Lay & Wheeler has bolstered its senior team with the immediate addition of Simon Staples and Catherine Petrie MW.

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wines of Argentina

Published: 23 April, 2020

In the fourth of our series on how the generic bodies are responding to the pandemic, Andrew Catchpole talks to Phil Crozier, brand ambassador UK & Europe, Wines of Argentina

Taylor's declares 2018 a classic vintage

Published: 23 April, 2020

The Fladgate Partnership has declared 2018 a ‘classic vintage’ for Taylor’s but not for its Fonseca or Croft Port brands.

SA export ban raises fears of longer-term damage for industry

Published: 22 April, 2020

South Africa stands alone in the world as a country that has barred exports of wine, leading to grave concerns from both exporters and their importers over significant damage to the future of the industry.

Ecommerce sales surge but fail to make up for on-trade losses

Published: 22 April, 2020

Ecommerce sales of beer, wine and spirits (BWS) in the UK surged 50% (volume) in the first week of lockdown compared to the same period last year, while sales through the off-trade were up 20%, according to new IWSR snapshot research.

En Primeur presentations could be held in modified format this summer

Published: 22 April, 2020

The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) and Bordeaux Négoce (Association of Bordeaux Wine Merchants) are considering the possibility of proposing the 2019 En Primeurs to be held in a modified format by the end of the summer.

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wine Australia

Published: 21 April, 2020

In the third of our series on responses of the generic bodies to the Covid-19 pandemic, Andrew Catchpole talks to Laura Jewell MW, regional general manager, Wine Australia UK & Europe

Wine Stars awards entry deadline extended to September

Published: 21 April, 2020

The deadline for entries to Harpers Wine Stars 2020 has been extended to 17 September.

Living with lockdown - Freixenet Copestick

Published: 21 April, 2020

Damian Clarke, MD at Freixenet Copestick, gives Lisa Riley a glimpse of the realities of life as a wholesaler adjusting to lockdown.

Georgian UK wine exports continue to surge

Published: 21 April, 2020

Georgian wine exports to the UK surged, albeit from a small platform, in the first quarter of this year boosted by a quartet of new importers.

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wines of Chile

Published: 21 April, 2020

In the third of a series focusing on responses of the generic bodies to the current crisis, we talk to Anita Jackson, UK director, Wines of Chile

CEEV puts together “wine package” to mitigate Covid-19 effects on EU industry

Published: 20 April, 2020

The Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) has put together a Covid-19 ‘wine package’ in order to mitigate the devastating effects of the pandemic – present and future – on the wine sector.

Furlough extension welcomed, but WSTA ups call for duty deferment

Published: 20 April, 2020

The Wine & Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) on Friday welcomed government’s extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furloughing) to the end of June 2020, but pressed again for an acceleration of relief measures for businesses hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.

Campari to buy majority stake in Champagne Lallier

Published: 20 April, 2020

Campari Group has announced it is in talks with privately owned French company Sarl Ficoma to buy a majority stake in Champagne Lallier.

Champagne: Weathering the storm

Published: 20 April, 2020

With little to celebrate, it’s unlikely consumers will be reaching for the Champagne any time soon, but the category has weathered storms before, says Chris Losh.