Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wines of Germany launches Retailer Partners competition

Published: 27 September, 2021

Wines of Germany has launched an innovative scheme to encourage UK independents to spread the word about Germany’s vinous offering.

Amazon locks in new approach for wine and spirits

Published: 27 September, 2021

Gated alcohol aisles in Amazon’s growing ‘just walk out’ bricks-and-mortar stores have introduced barriers for wine and spirits sales. Jo Gilbert reports

Long Read: What to do about fortified wines' straitened market?

Published: 23 September, 2021

Jacopo Mazzeo looks at what regions such as the Douro and Jerez are doing to survive in a market increasingly hostile to fortified wines and explores whether these efforts are effective. Port, for instance, is heading in two diametrically opposed directions: simplification and (extra) premiumisation, with new categories that span from youth-friendly RTDs to Tawny 50yo and White 50yo. Sherry meanwhile, has just changed a number of its regulations and now embraces unfortified wine.

Harpers to host Spanish and Italian wine session at Bellavita Expo

Published: 22 September, 2021

Harpers will be hosting a session at the Bellavita F&B trade show which is being held at the Business Design Centre in London on 25 to 26 October.

Domaine Clarence Dillon portfolio grows as Chateau Quintus acquires Chateau Grand-Potent

Published: 22 September, 2021

Domaine Clarence Dillon, the wine estate owner, has acquired Chateau Grand-Pontet through its wine estate Château Quintus.

CapeWine organisers unveil new 2022 date

Published: 21 September, 2021

The next edition of CapeWine will take place from 5 to 7 October 2022, following its 12 month postponement.

Yapp Brothers adds English sparkling wine brand to its portfolio

Published: 21 September, 2021

Busi Jacobsohn, a sparkling wine producer based in east Sussex, has become the newest agency in the Yapp Bros portfolio.

Survey: Indie minded

Published: 21 September, 2021

With our UK’s 50 Best Indies 2021 list unveiled, we’re revealing (anonymously) some of the insights gleaned from our entrants’ survey responses as to how businesses adapted their portfolios and subsequently thrived during the pandemic. Andrew Catchpole picks the persistent trends.

WSET celebrates unprecedented intake of students in 2020

Published: 21 September, 2021

A record number of students were awarded WSET qualifications during the previous academic year, according to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Vintners’ Company inaugural awards celebrates UK wine talent

Published: 20 September, 2021

The Vintners’ Company hosted its brand new awards at the Vintners’ Hall in the City of London last Friday (September 17), where Liberty Wines and Ruth Spivey of Wine Car Boot were among those recognised for their contributions to the UK wine industry.

English wine pushing for success

Published: 20 September, 2021

The pandemic has been a catalyst for sales of English and Welsh wine at home and abroad, accelerating a sector that was already on its way to great things. How to keep up momentum is the question, writes Jo Gilbert.

Graft Wine Company launches efficient tasting for Covid-era

Published: 20 September, 2021

Specialist importer the Graft Wine Company is marking a return to in-person portfolio tastings this month with an efficient tasting titled The Hundred.

Idris Elba to open wine bar in King's Cross

Published: 16 September, 2021

The star of Hollywood blockbuster Pacific Rim and HBO series The Wire has announced plans to open a new restaurant and wine bar in London – Porte Noire.

Scholarly Tasting Technique

Published: 16 September, 2021

A new Wine Scholar Guild initiative aims to change the way consumers assess wine, as Lisa Riley reports.

Exton Park launches new 'multi vintage' Blanc de Blancs

Published: 16 September, 2021

Sparkling wine producer Exton Park has unveiled a new 100% Chardonnay cuvée based exclusively on reserve wines.

Bibendum adds Lenz Moser project and six more to portfolio

Published: 15 September, 2021

UK premium wine and spirits distributor Bibendum Wine has added seven new producers to its on-trade portfolio, spanning an English Charmat to Portuguese trailblazers and a team-up between Austrian icons Lenz Moser and Markus Huber.

Guy Woodward: A question of mark-ups

Published: 15 September, 2021

Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year 2018

Foundation puts Basset front and centre as it unveils expanded remit

Published: 15 September, 2021

The charity founded by family and colleagues of the late Gerard Basset OBE MW MS has broadened its mission statement to include promoting diversity and inclusion across the hospitality industry, in addition to embracing a shorter title.

UK’s 50 Best Indies 2021: The Top 10

Published: 09 September, 2021

Welcome to the final release instalment of our UK’s 50 Best Indies 2021, featuring the chart-topping Top 10, along with all of those that have made it into the ranking this year.

Gusbourne Appoints global sales director

Published: 09 September, 2021

Gusbourne has appointed Simon Bradbury as director of its global sales, responsible for growing the reach of the Kent-based winery at home and abroad.