Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Tesco offers fine wines online

Published: 12 May, 2010

Tesco has started to sell a selection of rare, unusual and fine wines from around the world as part of a new online offering.

Bibendum takes on cult Aussie beer

Published: 12 May, 2010

Coopers ale, the Australian beer which has a cult following in the UK, has joined the Bibendum portfolio.

Andy Clarke confirmed as Asda chief executive

Published: 12 May, 2010

The chief operating officer of Asda, Andy Clarke, has been appointed as chief executive and president of the supermarket giant.

Sir George Fistonich accepts charity role

Published: 12 May, 2010

Founder and managing director of Villa Maria Estate, Sir George Fistonich, is to replace the role left by the late Sir Edmund Hillary, as vice patron of Variety - The Children's Charity of New Zealand.

Portman Group rule alcohol can still be sold in test-tubes

Published: 11 May, 2010

Four brands that sell alcohol in test-tubes will not be removed from sale after an inquiry ruled it was not causing harmful drinking.

Distell makes big CO2 savings using light-weight bottles

Published: 11 May, 2010

South African producer, Distell has has made savings of 333.5 tons of glass after changing almost 3 million of its wine bottles to light-weight.

Smirnoff retains top spot in brand survey

Published: 10 May, 2010

Smirnoff has retained its top spot as the global leading alcoholic drinks brand according to an annual drinks industry survey.

Mondial takes on Chianti producer for UK

Published: 10 May, 2010

Mondial Wine has signed a deal to be the UK distributor for Chianti wine producer, Il Molino di Grace.

Scotch whisky doubles exports to Brazil

Published: 10 May, 2010

The Scotch Whisky Association has confirmed a 56% increase in exports of Scotch whisky to Brazil.

Percy Fox signs distribution deal with Matthew Clark

Published: 07 May, 2010

Percy Fox has signed a distribution deal for Matthew Clark to supply its portfolio of brands to its nationwide on-trade customers.

Darbyshire calls for clarity in a hung parliament

Published: 07 May, 2010

Peter Darbyshire, managing director of wine agency PLB, has added to the uncertainty surrounding the result of the General Election by saying it has left the drinks industry in limbo.

The Co-operative to create English vineyard

Published: 06 May, 2010

The Co-operative, is to plant its own vineyard and produce wine to be sold through its Grown by Us brand.

From Vineyards Direct acquires The Vintry

Published: 06 May, 2010

The online merchant, From Vineyards Direct has acquired The Vintry.

M&S finance chief quits to head up Punch Taverns

Published: 06 May, 2010

Ian Dyson has quit his post as finance director of Marks & Spencer to become the new chief executive of Punch Taverns.

UK drinkers trade up when out

Published: 05 May, 2010

UK drinkers are going for quality not quantity, when drinking out, but are trading down at home, according to recent research.

Bordeaux Index urges caution on 2009 vintage despite £10m in orders

Published: 05 May, 2010

Bordeaux Index is urging the trade and its customers to be cautious about the prospects of the 2009 Bordeaux vintage despite receiving over £10 million in orders.

Global Brands acquires Inspirit Brands

Published: 05 May, 2010

Global Brands has acquired premium drinks agency Inspirit Brands, in a move to extend its range of high-end products.

John Keast: Scarlet Wines, Hayle, Cornwall

Published: 03 May, 2010

Jon Keast, owner, Scarlet Wines, Hayle, Cornwall

Sheridan Coopers: wholesaler turned merchant

Published: 03 May, 2010

More and more independents are recognising that wholesaling gives them a valuable extra income stream, but the process can also work in reverse. A host of wine wholesalers have taken the plunge into retailing, among them Sheridan Coopers of Brighton.