Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Rioja enjoys record export highs

Published: 19 February, 2013

The DOCa Rioja has kept its sales over 355 million bottles for the third year in a row, with exports growing by 5.5%, offsetting the decline in sales in Spain.

Brancott Estate releases first limited edition Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 18 February, 2013

Pernod Ricard has launched the first limited edition Sauvingon Blanc for its Brancott Estate brand.

Jacob's Creek launches low-alcohol rosé

Published: 15 February, 2013

US wine giant Jacob's Creek has launched low-alcohol Summer Blush, at 5.5% abv, just in time for the summer months.

Three Wine Men to turn wine into water on charity walk

Published: 15 February, 2013

The Three Wine Men, Olly Smith, Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin are inviting people to undertake a six mile wine walk for charity to help fund water projects in Africa.

International Gamay Competition announces 2013 winners

Published: 14 February, 2013

The third annual International Gamay Competition has announced the winners from its 2013 awards, which included a new category of sparkling wine.

Gérard Bertrand signs up with Hallgarten Druitt

Published: 08 February, 2013

Hallgarten Druitt, the national wine distributor, has added south west French producer, Gérard Bertrand, to its growing branded wine portfolio.

UK to remain top wine importer, despite projected slump

Published: 06 February, 2013

Still wine sales in the UK are set to decline for another five years, as consumers scale back on consumption but trade up to more expensive bottles, according to Vinexpo.

South Africa wine collective in premium push

Published: 05 February, 2013

Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa, a collective of like-minded, independent producers, has been launched in a bid to to raise the profile of premium South African wine.

Retailers raise a glass to Comic Relief

Published: 01 February, 2013

From today online retailers, supermarkets and off - licences will donate a proportion of their sales to help disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa as part of Wine Relief 2013.

Australian Vintage to build on its branded wine offer in UK

Published: 01 February, 2013

Australian Vintage is teaming up with MasterChef's John Torode as it looks to strengthen its position in the UK branded wine market, both through its core McGuigan portfolio and new product launches.

Price gap between own-label and branded wines to narrow

Published: 01 February, 2013

Soaring supply prices could be good news for branded wines as the price gap is set to reduce between own labels and big brands, according to Rabobank.

Real Wine Fair moves to March

Published: 30 January, 2013

The 2013 Real Wine Fair has moved to March to avoid another May clash with rival natural wine fair RAW. The two day event features 120 natural, organic and biodynamic growers and winemakers.

Connoisseur Estates hires premium wine sales managers

Published: 29 January, 2013

Berkshire-based wine agency Connoisseur Estates has appointed two regional managers to handle sales of its premium wines.

The Guardian's coverage has potential for "unimaginable damage", warns WOSA

Published: 28 January, 2013

Wines of South Africa has accused The Guardian of potentially causing "unimaginable damage" to the industry.

Kleine Zalze hires new winemaker

Published: 25 January, 2013

South African wine estate Kleine Zalze has appointed RJ Botha as winemaker.

How will you be changing your wine list this year?

Published: 24 January, 2013

As we go into 2013, we ask three industry sommeliers from Sketch, Coq d'Argent and Launceston Place how they'll be looking at changing their wine lists this year.

Bulk wine will boost branded wine

Published: 24 January, 2013

As value rises on the producer side of the supply chain due to reducing global wine stocks and increasing shortages in many key producing countries...

Ross Carter appointed exhibition director for LIWF

Published: 24 January, 2013

Former event manager for the London International Wine Fair, Ross Carter, has returned as exhibition director, replacing James Murray who left Brintex last week.

Maison Sichel reports 21% uplift in value

Published: 23 January, 2013

Bordeaux-based producer and négociant Maison Sichel has reported a 21% value growth for 2012, making it the company's second best year since it was established in 1883.