Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Alcohol consumption in Ireland falls by nearly a third

Published: 19 August, 2024

Alcohol consumption in Ireland has decreased by almost one-third over the past two decades, according to a new study.

Global wine consumption hits 27-year low amid inflation

Published: 29 April, 2024

In a challenging year marked by inflationary woes, global wine consumption saw a significant dip, plunging to its lowest levels since 1996, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

Friday read: France embraces dealcoholisation of IGP wines

Published: 19 April, 2024

Set against the march of low & no, Jacopo Mazzeo reports on the first EU member state to approve a low abv threshold, with predictions of a ready uptake.

Analysis: How new labelling rules will impact wine

Published: 18 March, 2024

Jo Gilbert clears up some of the confusion surrounding importer labels and FBOs, while looking ahead to other labelling changes in the pipeline.

Spain’s wine harvest falls by 14%

Published: 12 January, 2024

Following initial estimates from the European Commission in October 2023, Food and Wines from Spain (FWS) has revealed the country’s 2023 production to be 34m hl, around 14% less than in 2022.

China launches anti-dumping investigation into brandy

Published: 08 January, 2024

China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into brandy imported from the European Union, chiefly France.

Government lauds ‘pint’-sized wine as Brexit benefit

Published: 02 January, 2024

The UK government has permitted the sale of ‘pint’ sized still and sparkling wine across supermarkets, pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Labelling challenge to wine

Published: 20 November, 2023

As part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the largest modification to wine labelling in the EU in over a century comes into effect next month, forcing producers to embrace new technology, writes Jo Gilbert.

Deadline for digital nutritional wine labels in the EU approaches

Published: 13 November, 2023

Digital nutritional wine labels, accessible via QR Codes, will become mandatory in the EU on 8 December, meaning that UK businesses exporting or reexporting to this market have just under one month to ensure compliance.

Analysis: Champagne Supernova

Published: 13 November, 2023

Champagne’s star has certainly risen of late – in fact, the sector has broken its own record. James Bayley has the figures behind the phenomenal growth.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Will 2024 mark the end of the UK wine trade as we know it?

Published: 26 October, 2023

I realise that is a pretty dramatic title. But none of us should underestimate the game changing potential of the changes the UK government intends to introduce around wine beginning in early 2024.

Fears grow for watered-down wine following Defra reforms

Published: 18 October, 2023

In what the government describes as a Brexit benefit, imported wine will soon have the option to be blended, carbonated, sweetened, and de-alcoholised in-market.

How EU QR codes will hit UK

Published: 20 April, 2023

Jo Gilbert caught up with data standardisation gurus Bootlebooks to dive into the new EU regulations around nutritional labelling for wines and spirits, and how that could impact UK businesses.

Gin exports bounce back, but Brexit and Covid ‘double whammy’ leaves EU trailing

Published: 27 February, 2023

UK gin exports returned to growth in 2022, with South America and Asia leading the upturn, although EU sales, including to leading market Spain, remained significantly lower.

Nick Gillett: Regulating spirits – a system with no sense

Published: 02 November, 2022

I like to think I’m a man with common sense. Yet, when I look at the stifling, strangling system of regulations we face as an industry in the UK, I see absolutely zero of it.

Relief for New Zealand's ‘severely depleted’ cellars

Published: 01 September, 2022

New Zealand has reported a healthier harvest and a boost for the country’s inflation-hit supply chain after 2022 delivered in terms of size.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Lessons from the Tory leadership – are we heading into disaster?

Published: 21 July, 2022

Oh dear, perhaps it was always too much to hope for. The embarrassment of the country being led by a self-serving clown has finally timed out, but the opportunity for serious politics to be rehabilitated looks certain to be missed.

Global wine exports reach record high

Published: 03 May, 2022

This year 2021 saw a partial recovery of global consumption after the doldrums of 2020, the OIV said in its latest update. However, 2022’s outlook is looking increasingly uncertain due to the turbulence posed by the global supply chain crisis, the war in Ukraine and mounting energy prices.

Highest volumes of Champagne produced for 10 years

Published: 16 February, 2022

Since March 2020 the Champagne market has been on ice, with little cause for celebration during a global pandemic that has reduced so many gatherings and engagements to a Zoom call.