Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge opens for entries

Published: 17 January, 2020

The UK edition of the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge, now in its fifth year, has opened for entries.

Maison Joseph Drouhin partners with Enotria to up premium on-trade presence

Published: 16 January, 2020

Maison Joseph Drouhin has joined forces with Enotria & Coe to heighten its visibility in the premium on-trade in a move it said reflected a "new approach to the UK".

NZ tasting: alternative styles playing expanding role in export growth

Published: 16 January, 2020

Rosé, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are among a slew of ‘alternative’ varieties and styles notching up a greater share of New Zealand’s collective wine exports, as “international appetite grows to expand the range”.

Henschke manages fire woes while bolstered China and Armenia get a look in at Liberty tasting

Published: 15 January, 2020

Liberty Wines returned to The Oval for its annual shebang yesterday with a number of new stars to brighten up what turned out to be an exceptionally dismal afternoon weather-wise.

Villa Maria hires Matt Deller

Published: 15 January, 2020

Leading Kiwi wine producer Villa Maria has picked Matt Deller MW as its new chief global sales and marketing officer.

West Coast oversupply delivers softer prices as consumer demand falls

Published: 15 January, 2020

Prices for both bulk and grape from California and Washington will continue to ‘drop noticeably’, leading to widespread discounting, according to the annual State of the Wine Industry 2020 Report from Silicon Valley Bank.

Christmas trading: glass half full?

Published: 15 January, 2020

Retailers had to fight hard for their share of mistletoe and wine (and gin) sales this Christmas. Jo Gilbert sorts through the highs and lows.

Randall moves into Australia’s Riverland

Published: 14 January, 2020

The Randall Wine Group (RWG) has acquired its first vineyard in Australia’s Riverland, marking the latest target in a string of acquisitions aimed to fuel its sales in China.

Pol Roger expands Napa portfolio with Kinsman Eades and TOR Wines

Published: 14 January, 2020

Pol Roger has expanded it Napa portfolio with the addition of Kinsman Eades and TOR Wines.

Hallgarten launches apprentice programme

Published: 14 January, 2020

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has today announced the launch of its Head Start apprenticeship programme with its first recruit.

Q&A: Anne-Catherine Vigouroux, French Wine Discoveries

Published: 14 January, 2020

Founder of Wine 4 Trade Anne-Catherine Vigouroux outlines to James Lawrence what visitors can expect from the French Wine Discoveries 2020 tasting on January 21, and the opportunities for French producers in a post-Brexit Britain

ABS brings Hedonist Ecology range to the UK

Published: 13 January, 2020

Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (ABS) has announced it is bringing Hedonist Wines’ organic and biodynamic Ecology range to the UK on an exclusive basis.

Events guide 2020: What not to miss

Published: 13 January, 2020

James Lawrence looks ahead to some of the essential trade dates across another busy year

BIVB becomes WSET patron

Published: 09 January, 2020

Educator to the wine industry, The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), has new backing in the form of Burgundy’s official wine board.

Hallgarten hosts ‘minerality’ summit and tasting

Published: 09 January, 2020

Importer Hallgarten hosted a multi-media event in London yesterday to explore the subject of 'minerality' in wine. The wide-ranging discussion took place between Hallgarten's head of buying Steve Daniel and journalist Dr Jamie Goode.

Jones closing The Harrow to focus on wine

Published: 09 January, 2020

After 21 years at Michelin-starred wine oasis The Harrow at Little Bedwyn, proprietors Roger and Sue Jones have announced they will take final orders on 28 March 2020.

Everything we know about the DRS so far – and what you should too

Published: 09 January, 2020

A major new scheme aimed specifically at boosting recycling rates and combating littering for bottled drinks is due to arrive in Scotland in 2021 and the rest of the UK soon after. So what do we know so far?