Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

CIVB appoints Fiona Juby as UK market consultant

Published: 18 March, 2016

The Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux wines has hired Fiona Juby as its market consultant for the UK.

Tesco trials mixed-case South African wine offer

Published: 18 March, 2016

Tesco is to trial mixed cases of wine from its finest* range in 280 stores nationwide for the first time.

Diageo announces second phase of World Class bartending competition

Published: 17 March, 2016

Diageo Reserve has announced the launch of the second half of its World Class UK 2016 competition, which aims to find the best bartender in the UK.

France takes top spot on world whisky-drinking table

Published: 17 March, 2016

French drinkers now lead the world in their whisky consumption, according to a new report by retail consultants Bonial.

Champagne Ruinart unveils 2016 sommelier Challenge

Published: 17 March, 2016

Champagne Ruinart has announced the details of its Ruinart Challenge 2016, aimed at identifying the most talented young sommeliers from around the world.

Four Pillars partners with Santamania on ultra-limited edition gin

Published: 17 March, 2016

Australia's Four Pillars distillery has collaborated with the Santamania Destileria Urbana in Madrid on a new limited edition release.

Twitter campaign launched to find the UK's favourite craft spirits

Published: 16 March, 2016

Today sees the launch of a new Twitter campaign aimed at identifying the UK's best-loved independent spirit brands.

Joe Wadsack named IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year

Published: 16 March, 2016

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has named Joe Wadsack its Wine Communicator of the Year for 2016 award.

UK launch for Barcelona Spirits Brands four-strong 5th Gin range

Published: 16 March, 2016

Barcelona Spirit Brands has announced the launch of all four of its 5th Gin range in the UK.

ONS adds cream liqueurs to national shopping basket

Published: 16 March, 2016

Cream liqueurs such as Bailey's have been added to the nation's shopping basket by the Office of National Statistics.

Sainsbury's posts first quarterly sales rise for two years

Published: 15 March, 2016

Sainsbury's has posted its first quarter of growth for over two years, amid signs that health is returning to the UK's beleaguered multiple retailers.

Campari strengthens premium spirit portfolio with Grand Marnier acquisition

Published: 15 March, 2016

Italy's Gruppo Campari is to acquire the producer of Grand Marnier as part of a friendly takeover which values the business at £537 million.

Fever-Tree riding high on premium gin trend

Published: 14 March, 2016

Pioneering premium mixer supplier Fever-Tree continued its exponential rise in 2015 - its first full year of trading as a listed company - according to results announced today.

Laphroaig honours 200-year legacy with latest release

Published: 14 March, 2016

The Laphroaig distillery on the Isle of Islay's southern coast is to launch a new single malt, described as its "richest ever".

Kingston Estate launches "next generation" of private-label wines at ProWein

Published: 14 March, 2016

South Australian winery Kingston Estate is launching three new Living Brands at ProWein this week.

UK Scotch drinkers pay double in tax across EU

Published: 11 March, 2016

Research from the Scotch Whisky Association has revealed the full extent to which the UK's Scotch drinkers are over-taxed.

UK sales of sparkling wines hit £1 billion for first time

Published: 11 March, 2016

Sales of sparking wines in the UK - excluding Champagne - hit £1 billion for the first time in 2015, according to figures released today by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Good Provence 2015 harvest bolsters growing rosé market

Published: 11 March, 2016

The 2015 harvest in Provence produced 1.308 million hectolitres, according to the latest figures from the region's marketing body, the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence.

Golden age for British gin as 49 distilleries open in 2015

Published: 11 March, 2016

The full scale of the gin boom underway in the UK has been revealed for the first time.

Profits slashed at Stock Spirits as Polish market woes take their toll

Published: 10 March, 2016

FTSE-250 Central and Eastern European branded spirits producer Stock Spirits posted disappointing 2015 results today on the back of problems in the pivotal Polish market.