Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Tim Atkin MW: How low can you go?

Published: 06 December, 2018

Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC

Brexit: WSTA launches #NoToNoDeal campaign

Published: 20 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned MPs ‘don’t bottle it’, while urging wine and spirit businesses to get behind a campaign that makes clear that a no deal Brexit would be unacceptable to the UK drinks industry.

Japan prepares to take on the world at second Wines of Japan tasting

Published: 07 November, 2018

As Japan continues to make waves in whisky, pushing outwards with its own distinctive style and winning awards left, right and centre, wine is poised to follow suit. Harpers joined Sarah Abbott MW at a recent Wines of Japan tasting – the follow-up to the inaugural UK event in February this year. We discovered a country ready to build on the newly signed free trade deal with Europe and take on the wine world.

UK winemakers lobby government to scrap “damaging” planned tax rises

Published: 08 October, 2018

Winemakers in England and Wales have banded together to try and convince the government to rethink plans for a duty hike that could hamper exports and stifle growth.

Brexit delivering negative impact on business for three quarters of independent trade

Published: 30 August, 2018

A Harpers survey on the current effects and possible outcomes of Brexit has revealed that 73% of on and off-trade businesses believe the vote has already had a negative impact on their business.

Gin exports on track to reach £600m in 2018

Published: 14 August, 2018

The UK has further cemented its status as the largest exporter of gin in the world with yet another record-breaking start to the year.

UK and EU step up preparations for a "no deal" Brexit

Published: 20 July, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has voiced frustration over the plodding pace of Brexit negotiations as the EU published a paper on what businesses should do to prepare for a "no deal" or “hard Brexit” outcome.

“Frictionless trade”: What the white paper tells us

Published: 16 July, 2018

The government’s new white paper on economic arrangements post-Brexit is the roadmap that many have been waiting for, outlining how the EU’s future relationship with the UK could work after March 19.

British wine and gin under the spotlight ahead of Saturday's match

Published: 06 July, 2018

Ever wondered how much wine and spirits the UK exports to Sweden?

Greek whites having their time to shine

Published: 29 June, 2018

Malagousia, Vidiano, Kidonitsa, Savatiano and Moscofilero may yet be unfamiliar names to some, but arguably they represent the emerging chorus of indigenous Greek white wines ready to take centre stage with Assyrtiko.

SWA calls for zero tariffs on whisky making materials

Published: 29 June, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called for zero tariffs on imports of whisky making materials in the Brexit negotiations.

The rise of Irish whiskey as EU whiskey

Published: 27 June, 2018

It may be unsurprising that Selfridges is launching its first Irish food and drink show this August. With a fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth Irish whiskey is now the world’s fastest growing spirit according to the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA).

Brexit pushed Californian wine price up by a fifth

Published: 27 June, 2018

The average price of Californian wine imported to the European Union surged by nearly a fifth in the year of the Brexit vote, analysis by Harpers reveals.

LWF: Uncertainty continues to cloud Brexit debate to 2020 and beyond

Published: 21 May, 2018

With 312 days to go until the UK officially leaves the EU, the effect of economic uncertainty and how the trade is placed to take advantage of opportunities offered by Brexit formed the crux of discussions at one of the opening debates of the London Wine Fair this morning.

Think Gin: The big flavour debate

Published: 01 May, 2018

The colourful world of flavoured gin was a hot topic at yesterday’s annual Harper’s Think Gin event, coming up time and time again as sub-section driving overall gin growth, yet at the same time dividing opinion on what role it should play within the wider category.

UK trade responds as EU27 approves negotiating guidelines for next phase of Brexit and transition deal

Published: 23 March, 2018

On Friday in Brussels EU leaders finally agreed to adopt negotiating guidelines for the future of EU-UK relations, paving the way for the next phase of talks to get underway, after months of wrangling over the details.

Champagne exports catch up with French domestic consumption as value grows

Published: 22 February, 2018

Shipments of Champagne abroad caught up with domestic sales last year, new figures from the Champagne Bureau UK show.

Brexit and bad harvests could dampen supply of fizz

Published: 02 January, 2018

2018 could be the year that Brits’ love of sparkling catches up with them as experts predict a fizz shortage could be about to descend on the UK.

Leaked documents show UK will stay in single market

Published: 08 December, 2017

The UK will remain a member of the EU's customs union and single market between 2019 and 2021 according to a leaked copy of European Council guidelines for upcoming trade talks.

Hamish Gillespie: Dealing with currency in the pre-Brexit world

Published: 06 December, 2017

The impact of Brexit on sterling has been a major factor in 2017 trade. Industry insider Hamish Gillespie, finance director at North South Wines, explores how best to mitigate the downsides.