Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Buyer’s Spotlight: R&D meets P&L

Published: 07 October, 2025

As winemakers shift to heritage varieties to tackle the challenges of a changing climate, what does this mean for P&L? asks Jason Millar.

LWC’s shifting focus to wine

Published: 06 October, 2025

Two quite quirky facts about LWC come as a bit of a surprise, not least given the scale and success of what has grown over 45 years to become the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler. The first is that the company was born in – or at least because of – a pub in Edale, Derbyshire, initially being set up to self-supply drinks to the satisfaction of The Old Nag’s Head’s new owner and others like him. The second is that LWC simply stands for Licensed Wholesale Company, with founder (and pub owner) Robin Gray clearly not overly concerned about creating a market-slick name. This, though, is a company that clearly ‘does what it says on the tin’, and from those modest origins still continues to grow.

Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2025: The full run down

Published: 03 October, 2025

The UK wine market stands tall among its global peers, with the quality of offer, including both portfolios and services delivered, riding high, also with innovation and evolution much in evidence. This, then, lends extra credence and kudos to those that have made it into our Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers listing this year, celebrating the best in the business of supplying quality drinks to both the hospitality and retail sectors.

5 mins with... Akos Forczek, founder & chairman, Top Selection

Published: 02 October, 2025

Celebrating 25 years since the founding of Top Selection, Akos Forczek shares his thoughts on current trading conditions with Andrew Catchpole.

Friday read: Champagne’s slow but steady march to organic

Published: 26 September, 2025

As Champagne celebrates an exceptional vintage, recent news has been less positive for the region’s organic producers: the rate of conversions has been fairly static over the past two years. But Ludovic du Plessis, CEO of organic producer Champagne Telmont, remains optimistic about organics’ future in the region.

Laithwaites partners with Deliveroo

Published: 22 September, 2025

Deliveroo has announced a new partnership with the specialist wine retailer Laithwaites.

Akos Forczek: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 05 September, 2025

For the final instalment of our summer Q&As the founder and chairman of Top Selection delivers some pithy and insightful thoughts on the challenges facing the drinks sector, while celebrating a quarter century at the helm of his business.

The results: Top 50 Sommeliers 2025

Published: 05 September, 2025

Harpers Top 50 Sommeliers 2025 listing has landed, celebrating the very best in the UK restaurant world.

Majestic marks 45th birthday with charity challenge

Published: 14 August, 2025

Majestic has launched a 45,000-mile charity challenge to mark the company’s 45th anniversary.

Q&A: Alberto Chiarlo, co-owner, Michele Chiarlo Winery

Published: 12 August, 2025

With Michele Chiarlo Winery having picked up the SWA European Producer of the Year title, and all five wines entered winning a medal, Alberto Chiarlo talks Andrew Catchpole through his family’s inspiring vision for wine.

Bence Karpatfalvi: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 11 August, 2025

Bence Karpatfalvi, head sommelier at the recently awarded three Michelin-starred Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, talks challenges and triumphs for our summer series of Q&As.

Matteo Furlan: 'Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 01 August, 2025

Matteo Furlan, head of wines at The Dorchester, adds to our summer Q&A series of drinks industry insights.

Wine & Sprit Trade Association publishes industry guide

Published: 18 July, 2025

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has published a ‘go-to guide’ for the industry, aimed at helping policy makers and politicians “better understand” the UK wine and spirit market.

Hallgarten Wines plans second ED&I wine trip

Published: 18 July, 2025

Hallgarten & Novum Wines is inviting applications for its second educational trip to Greece, aimed at helping to advance Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) in hospitality and wine.

Guy Woodward: The value of age

Published: 17 July, 2025

Is there a wine that offers a better combination of value, drinkability and ageability than top-end Rioja? My modest ‘cellar’ would suggest not. Amid an otherwise fairly eclectic collection, Gran Reservas from 2001, 2004 and 2011 are by far the most populous older wines. Classic, elegant and ageworthy – and distinctly uncool.

UK's 50 Best Indies 2026: one week left to nominate

Published: 17 July, 2025

Nominations for our UK's 50 Best Indies 2026 listing are still being invited, with just one week to go until the final deadline of 24 July.

Tariff threat continues for EU producers

Published: 14 July, 2025

EU wine producers have been assessing the potential impact of a 30% tariff on wine bound for the US market following the latest missive from The White House on Friday (11 July).

5 minutes with…

Published: 02 July, 2025

Charlotte Wallace managing and technical director, Graham Crawford, sales director, and Luke Flunder, brand ambassador, Oakley Wine Agencies.

Harpers Design Awards 2025 open for entries

Published: 30 June, 2025

The Harpers Design Awards 2025 are now open to all drinks brands and design agencies that want to shine a spotlight on the look and functionality of their products in a range of categories.

Jancis Robinson MW welcomed as patron of RVF

Published: 27 June, 2025

Jancis Robinson MW has become a patron of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation (RVF), a global non-profit comprising those working in the wine industry to help reverse climate change.