Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Think Gin debate: Innovation vs Integrity

Published: 15 July, 2019

Gin is at a crossroads and needs to tread carefully to retain its authentic credentials. Andrew Catchpole listens in on the debate at Harpers Think Gin event.

Pubs and bars signal optimism as restaurant sector continues to suffer

Published: 15 July, 2019

The latest CGA Fourth Business Confidence Survey, canvassing opinion from hospitality industry leaders, has revealed concern over the frequency of consumer visits to pubs, bars and restaurants during the second half of 2019.

Falling UK alcohol consumption driving premiumisation, Mintel finds

Published: 11 July, 2019

As many as 20% of UK adults now do not drink alcohol, according to the latest British Lifestyles report from Mintel. At the same time, 47% of those who do drink alcohol have cut back their consumption.

Red Squirrel and The Knotted Vine to merge

Published: 08 July, 2019

Specialist importers Red Squirrel and The Knotted Vine have announced they are merging to form a completely new importer and distributor supplying the UK’s restaurant and independent trade.

Market frustrated at pricing of Bordeaux 2018

Published: 28 June, 2019

Traders have found the release of Bordeaux’s 2018 vintage “perplexing” and “frustrating”, according to a report from Liv-Ex.

Joe Fattorini: Why sometimes, paying more feels like less

Published: 25 June, 2019

Joe Fattorini

Joe Fattorini: on mythological punt’rs

Published: 04 June, 2019

Taking a punt on heuristic pleasure, Joe Fattorini, head of London sales at Fields, Morris & Verdin, calls for wine shortcuts rather than rules

Alcohol sales fall worldwide, but with recovery to follow, predicts the IWSR

Published: 31 May, 2019

Global alcohol consumption fell back by 1.6% in 2018, according to new data from the IWSR, with some 27.6 billion nine-litre cases being consumed.

UK retains top five status as global market for still and sparkling imports

Published: 22 May, 2019

The UK remains the world’s second biggest importer of still and sparkling wine, analysts have confirmed - despite the era of high volume wine sales being “over for good”.

LWF: Inverarity continues the Scottish march south

Published: 21 May, 2019

Scottish-based Inverarity Morton is using its second ever outing at London Wine Fair (LWF) to advance its focus on supplying the English trade, with a round of new agencies in its portfolio.

Santa Rita says $25m investment in sustainability will pay long-term dividends

Published: 14 May, 2019

South American producer Santa Rita Estates (SRE) says it doesn’t regret ploughing $25 million USD into sustainability initiatives over the past five years, despite sustainable and organic cues having less sway with consumers.

Consumers shun restaurants at Easter, figures show

Published: 13 May, 2019

Restaurant groups saw sales plummet by nearly 20% this Easter, according to figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Joe Fattorini: The pratfall effect

Published: 25 April, 2019

Head of London sales at Fields, Morris & Verdin

Tesco boss hails turnaround

Published: 10 April, 2019

Tesco is celebrating the biggest leap in profits since it was shaken by an accounting scandal five years ago, having seen annual pre-tax profits jump 28.8% to £1.67 billion.

Lanchester expands regional sales team

Published: 09 April, 2019

Lanchester Wines has bolstered its growing sales team with two new hires in the north and south west.

Californian wine under £20 boosts UK sales

Published: 09 April, 2019

US wine exports to the UK have seen a slip in value but a rise in volume, thanks largely to a growth in buyer interest in a previously difficult-to-source section of the market.