Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Portman Group hits back at Labour's public health proposals

Published: 15 January, 2015

The Portman Group has hit back at proposals from Labour on public health, which criticise voluntary industry and government partnerships.

Wine drinkers pay over the odds as inflation rockets 3.4% in December

Published: 15 January, 2015

Inflation may have fallen to 0.5% in December, but wine drinkers haven't felt the benefit of the drop in the cost of living as inflation on wine rose 3.4% in the same period.

London coffee and wine bar operator Notes set for expansion

Published: 15 January, 2015

London coffee and wine bar operator Notes is to opening three outlets in 2015, and plans to continue expanding at a rate of two to three sites per year from 2016.

Pub and restaurant groups grow Christmas trading 2.8%

Published: 15 January, 2015

Pub and restaurant groups across the country enjoyed a festive trading boost of 2.8% on the same period last year, with those inside London putting in a stronger performance.

Spain's Vidrala completes Encirc purchase

Published: 14 January, 2015

Spanish bottle manufacturer Vidrala has completed its acquisition of fellow glass manufacturer, filler and logistics firm Encirc.

Waitrose bucks grocery trend for store closures with 14 new openings for 2015

Published: 14 January, 2015

Waitrose is bucking the trend of store closures and job losses in the grocery sector by opening 14 new outlets in 2015, with more in the pipeline for 2016.

Sparkling wine Luc Belaire gets glow-in-the-dark label

Published: 14 January, 2015

Sovereign Brands is launching a limited edition sparkling rosé wine under its Luc Belaire label which will have a glow-in-the-dark label activated via a power button.

London on-trade groups see festive sales uplift

Published: 13 January, 2015

Restaurant group D&D London and Davy's Wine Merchants have seen solid uplifts in performance over the Christmas trading period.

Buckingham Schenk promotes Craig Durham to MD

Published: 12 January, 2015

Wine supplier Buckingham Schenk has promoted Craig Durham from sales director to managing director as current chief Jon Pepper MW prepares for his move to Enotria.

Spanish glass manufacturer Vidrala to buy Encirc business

Published: 12 January, 2015

Spanish glass manufacturer Vidrala is expected to purchase Encirc - the former Quinn Glass business - in a deal worth up to €400 million.

Sparkling wine supplier Frizzenti hits back over Prosecco legal battle

Published: 12 January, 2015

Daniel Spinath, director of sparkling wine supplier Frizzenti, has hit back at claims that selling Prosecco on tap will be "illegal" if Italian producers of the wine win the legal right to fine bars and pubs that sell the drink by the keg instead of bottles.

Wine closure firm Nomacorc bought out by founder and Bespoke Capital

Published: 12 January, 2015

Synthetic wine closure firm Nomacorc is set for long-term growth after being bought out from Summit Parnetrs by its current founder and chairman Marc Noël along with Bespoke Capital.

Falling oil price unlikely to cut wine and spirits distribution costs

Published: 12 January, 2015

The wine and spirits sector can expect to see little relief on distribution costs despite the plummeting oil price, say logistics experts.

Comité Champagne under attack for its "vindictive" legal dispute against Champagne Jayne

Published: 09 January, 2015

Guy Woodward, Harpers columnist and former Decanter editor, has attacked the Comité Champagne today for its on-going legal battle against freelance broadcaster and educator, Jayne Powell, over the use of her "Champagne Jayne" monicker.

Tesco is worst retailer to work with say wine and spirits suppliers in Harpers poll

Published: 09 January, 2015

Tesco has been named and shamed as the worst retailer to work with in a survey of over 200 wine and spirits suppliers carried out by Harpers.co.uk.

New Zealand looks to break away from Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 09 January, 2015

New Zealand maintains a privileged, premium position in the UK market and is working hard to shake its over-reliance on Sauvignon Blanc by introducing new styles. Anne Krebiehl MW reports

Marks and Spencer reports flat food performance in Q3

Published: 08 January, 2015

Marks and Spencer grew food sales 17% in Christmas week, but analysts were unimpressed by its flat food performance in Q3.

Corney & Barrow signs exclusive UK distribution deal for all Labruyère Family's wines

Published: 08 January, 2015

Corney & Barrow has extended its French wine offer with the news it is to represent the full Labruyère Family portfolio, which includes Domaine Jacques Prieur, Domaine Labruyère Moulin-à-Vent, exclusively in the UK.

Accolade Wines releases alcohol-free Echo Falls drink

Published: 08 January, 2015

Accolade Wines-owned Californian brand Echo Falls has released a tea-infused alcohol-free sparkling drink made from fermented grapes.

Foncalieu puts winemakers at the centre of its L'Atelier Prestige relaunch

Published: 08 January, 2015

Leading French wine co-operative, Les Vignobles Foncalieu, is relaunching its L'Atelier Prestige wine range with a new look and focus on the winemakers behind the concept.