Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Draycott to take helm at Gonzalez Byass UK

Published: 26 April, 2021

Melissa Draycott has been appointed MD of González Byass UK, effective from 1 September 2021, taking over the roll from Martin Skelton.

Last chance to register: The Diversity of Argentina webinar

Published: 26 April, 2021

With just one day to go until our The Diversity of Argentina webinar – a must for buyers and those interested in the latest category update – Harpers and Wines of Argentina are inviting final sign ups for this free-to-attend webinar on 27 April at 3pm.

Hawke's Bay hails trio of 'outstanding' vintages

Published: 26 April, 2021

Premium New Zealand wine region Hawke’s Bay has reported a third high quality vintage in a row, following “near perfect growing condition”.

Fine Wine Partners rebrands to Accolade Fine Wines

Published: 22 April, 2021

Accolade Wines ' fine wines division has been re-named Accolade Fine Wines by the company in order to facilitate a “customer-centric offering” which will move away from focusing on brands only within Australia.

Vineyard area edges back to Europe as Spain and France rise and China's growth slows

Published: 21 April, 2021

Vineyard surface area saw some subtle yet far reaching shifts in 2020, with China falling into third place behind Spain and France as EU plantings stabilise and China's plantings slow.

International Sherry Week and Copa Jerez align for autumn celebration

Published: 20 April, 2021

International Sherry Week will this year coincide with the biannual food and wine focused Copa Jerez competition during November.

Frost signals “significantly smaller” vintage for New Zealand harvest

Published: 20 April, 2021

Cooler spring weather and late frosts have led to a “significantly smaller vintage” for 2021, New Zealand Winegrowers has said, applying pressure at a time when the industry is facing increased production costs.

Pledge of €1bn made to mitigate France’s frost “disaster”

Published: 19 April, 2021

The French government has pledged €1 billion in financial aid for farmers and winemakers whose crops have been devasted by this month’s cold snap which has led to the estimated loss of a third of the country’s wine production.

California: Challenging French supremacy

Published: 15 April, 2021

The smartly boxed and sleekly designed sample bottles distributed ahead of the recent California Wine Institute’s Essential California at Home series of tastings were eye-catching in other ways too.

Indie supply disruptor Propeller ramps up distribution with SA’s Ross Sleet

Published: 15 April, 2021

Indies distribution incubator Propeller has teamed up exclusively with the Ross Sleet founded South African négociant Rascallion as it grows its model-defying footprint in the UK market.

Latimer appoints ex-somm Caroline Brangé to head up sales

Published: 14 April, 2021

Latimer Vintners has appointed ex-sommelier Caroline Brangé to head up its on and off-trade sales, working closely with London’s hospitality establishments as they prepare to re-open their doors.

Symington announces 2019 quinta vintage Ports

Published: 14 April, 2021

Symington Family Estates has announced that it has bottled six quinta vintage Ports from 2019, of which two will be released en primeur – Quinta do Vesúvio and Dow’s Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira.

Naked announces new chair

Published: 14 April, 2021

Naked Wines has announced that Darryl Rawlings will join the Board with immediate effect as an independent non-executive director.

Online BWS sales slump

Published: 13 April, 2021

Year on year online beer, wines and spirits (BWS) sales slumped 6.7% in March, making it the only category online to record negative growth, according to IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index.

Long Read: The frosty face of climate change

Published: 13 April, 2021

The devastation caused by last week's plummeting temperatures and frosts in Europe was a pernicious reminder that climate change-induced extreme weather events are on the rise.

Berkmann unveils latest hospitality support initiative

Published: 13 April, 2021

Berkmann Wine Cellars has launched a new initiative to help on-trade venues across the country reopen.

Spirits vs Wine: Rolling with the times

Published: 12 April, 2021

Definitive figures from Kantar show just how much shopping habits changed in 2020, with spirits overtaking wine in baskets for the first time and online reaching hitherto unmatched heights, as Jo Gilbert discovers.

Armit adds Argentina's Mendel Wines

Published: 08 April, 2021

Armit Wines has has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for Argentina’s family-owned winery Mendel Wines.

Atkin: 'Best line-up of Chilean wines I’ve ever tasted'

Published: 08 April, 2021

Tim Atkin MW, Harpers columnist and leading UK wine writer, has launched his 2021 Chile report.

Expanded indie-focused campaign follows rise in Georgia imports

Published: 07 April, 2021

Georgia’s national promotional body has teased a number of new initiatives in the UK market after 2020 showed a marked increase in the number of importers, wholesalers and retailers working with Georgian wines.