Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bulk selling in a digital world

Published: 19 February, 2019

The launch of a new trading platform for the drinks trade promises to disrupt existing business models. Jo Gilbert investigates

Wine Importers MD Billy Bell Birse-Stewart steps down

Published: 19 February, 2019

Billy Bell Birse-Stewart has stepped down as managing director of Wine Importers.

Pure Wines takes on host of new natural wines

Published: 19 February, 2019

London-based online natural wines importer and retailer, Pure Wines, has taken on more than 20 new wines from France, Spain and Italy, which it said, highlighted the growing thirst for natural wines in Britain.

Boom in Tassie vineyards as producers capitalise on cooler climate premium

Published: 18 February, 2019

Tasmania’s vineyard area has grown by 25% over the past two growing seasons, with plans for another 15% increase in the pipeline, as both local and mainland Australian producers invest in the island’s viticultural scene.

Wines from Spain announces 2019 tasting programme

Published: 18 February, 2019

Wines from Spain has said 59 “leading importers and exporters” will present their Spanish wine portfolios to the UK trade and press at its annual tasting at London’s Sky Garden on 7 March.

Q&A: Abi Barlow, Barlow & Co.

Published: 18 February, 2019

Barlow & Co. founder Abi Barlow talks Andrew Catchpole through the creative thinking between wine and design

Wine Paris outlines ambitions as first event ‘exceeds expectations’

Published: 15 February, 2019

Wine Paris has outlined its ambitions for next year’s event as this year’s exhibition “exceeded expectations and set benchmark as a key event in wine buying calendar”.

Broadland announces new hire to develop branded offering

Published: 15 February, 2019

Broadland Wineries has appointed Charles Cutteridge in order to “drive imported wine sales and to develop new wine brands for the business”.

Prosecco driving growth in Irish wine market but Brexit remains a worry

Published: 15 February, 2019

The wine category in Ireland is “stable” but a love for prosecco is driving “strong growth”, according to the latest Wine Intelligence report on Ireland.

Jerry Lockspeiser: How to win in uncertain times

Published: 15 February, 2019

If we have heard it once we have heard it a thousand times: Business needs clarity to plan.

The week that was

Published: 15 February, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Winetraders introduces Bellone and Nero Buono to the UK

Published: 13 February, 2019

Winetraders has added a Bellone and a Nero Buono from the Cincinnato winery to its portfolio.

Peter Lehmann winemaker named Dux of the 2018 Len Evans Tutorial

Published: 13 February, 2019

Tim Dolan, senior winemaker for Peter Lehmann Wines, has been named Dux of the 2018 Len Evans Tutorial.

Brunello di Montalcino appoints marketing director to target UK

Published: 12 February, 2019

Francois Colas has been appointed marketing director at the Brunello di Montalcino estate, La Fiorita.

Howard’s Folly launches Touriga Nacional 2015

Published: 12 February, 2019

Howard’s Folly Wines has announced the addition of Touriga Nacional 2015 to its portfolio.

Luvian’s St Andrews' Archie McDiarmid blogs from Sauvignon Blanc Celebration in Marlborough

Published: 12 February, 2019

The major focus of the final day of Sauvignon 2019 was ‘Pursuit’ – both of new customers and of new styles – as New Zealand looks to broaden the appeal of its hero grape without losing the affection of the millions of customers worldwide who have super-charged the country’s remarkable growth as a winegrowing power.

Surveying France

Published: 12 February, 2019

Harpers partnered with Wines Direct to bring you this original survey, comparing UK consumer attitudes and purchasing habits with regard to French wines between 2014 and 2019.

Berkmann announces plan to protect prices as Brexit looms

Published: 11 February, 2019

Berkmann Wine Cellars has revealed its pricing strategy for 2019, which it says includes a “proactive plan to protect customers from potential Brexit fall out".

McLaren Vale edges towards sub-regional recognition

Published: 11 February, 2019

South Australia’s McLaren Vale has its sights on a geologically-focused demarcation of the region’s most distinct wine producing districts.

Portuguese wine is booming, says new report

Published: 08 February, 2019

The latest Wine Intelligence report on Portugal says the wine category in the country is growing “significantly” year on year, driven in part by a rise in tourism and “economic recovery after years of financial crisis”.