Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Is staff recruitment a ticking time bomb?

Published: 09 December, 2016

According to Paul Jenkins, purchasing director at D&D hospitality group, recruiting and retaining staff isn't just a perennial problem - it's getting worse.

Record-breaking year for gin makes it the success story of 2016, says WSTA

Published: 09 December, 2016

2016 has proved to be a record-breaking year for gin, with end of year sales continuing to soar.

Bird in Hand joins Seckford for UK partnership

Published: 09 December, 2016

Australian producer Bird in Hand has appointed New World specialists Seckford Agencies to ramp up distribution of their brand across the UK.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 09 December, 2016

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Bancroft Wines grows Italian and Spanish range in the UK

Published: 08 December, 2016

Bancroft Wines has added two new producers to their portfolio, Cantina della Volta from Emilia Romagna and Es Fangar from Mallorca.

Slow growth at Ocado fails to impress investors

Published: 08 December, 2016

The future is still uncertain for online grocer Ocado which has just released its final quarterly sales figures for 2016.

Men driving growth of Fairtrade wine says Co-op

Published: 08 December, 2016

Evidence that the growing number of ethically sourced and social responsible drinks companies is in response to consumer demand for alcohol with a conscience has been backed by data from the Co-op which revealed that its sales of Fairtrade wine are up 25% YOY.

Guy Woodward: Shouldn't Rioja just keep things simple?

Published: 08 December, 2016

It's the impossible question. And also, of course, the one that members of the trade are most frequently asked. "What's your favourite wine?" In the past, I always used to trot out the standard answer: "It depends" - on the occasion, the weather, the company, the mood and, of course, who's paying.

French gin partners with London's hotel bars

Published: 07 December, 2016

Ethical spirits brand Fair has teamed up with 12 top London hotels to launch its Christmas marketing campaign.

Gonzalez Byass UK expands range with new Basque addition

Published: 07 December, 2016

Gonzalez Byass UK (GBUK) is expanding its Spanish wine range in the UK with the addition of Txomin Etxaniz, a leading producer of DO Txakoli, to its portfolio.

Top of the pops: Fizz leads the top trends for Christmas and beyond

Published: 06 December, 2016

The enduring success of sparkling ignited by consumers' unquenchable thirst for Prosecco over the past decade is already reaching into 2017 and is pushing new boundaries.

Waitrose Cellar buys up barrels from historic wine auction

Published: 06 December, 2016

Waitrose wine buyers have bolstered their premium offering by buying two barrels of rare wine at the historic annual Hospices de Beaune auction.

Bourgogne Week comes to London

Published: 06 December, 2016

Christmas is still two-and-a-half weeks away but the organisers of the event which aims to "unlock the secrets" Burgundy are already preparing to showcase what the region can offer in 2017.

Bumper Christmas weekend predicted for the on-trade

Published: 06 December, 2016

Bars and restaurants could be looking forward to an extra windfall over this year's Christmas weekend, thanks to the fortuitous dates of Christmas this year.

New report backs minimum pricing as consumption rises 42% from 1980

Published: 05 December, 2016

The government department for public health has praised the benefits of minimum pricing after releasing a report which shows that UK consumers are drinking 42% more than there were in 1980.

Blossom Hill puts the emphasis on fizz for fruit wine re-brand

Published: 05 December, 2016

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) is re-naming its Blossom Hill Fruit Bloom range in order to stress bubbles over fruit.

New Zealand's top red export to take centre stage at annual tasting

Published: 05 December, 2016

New Zealand's most famous red grape will be at the forefront of this year's New Zealand annual trade tasting in January.

Meeting the Brexit challenge

Published: 05 December, 2016

The UK referendum decision on European Union membership surprised many, but while the parliamentary and legal bodies work through the most appropriate process to enact legislation, the wine and spirit trade can use the time to plan for change.