Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Axe falls on Worrall Thompson restaurants

Published: 09 February, 2009

The chain of restaurants owned by celebrity chef Anthony Worrall Thompson has been forced to axe six outlets with the loss of 60 jobs.

Thierry's take control in buyout

Published: 09 February, 2009

The UK's leading independent wine importer has taken full control of its business in a share buyout.

UK distributor clinches port deal Claire Hu wine

Published: 09 February, 2009

One of the UK's leading importers of independent wine, beers and spirits has been appointed to distribute Delaforce's range of port.

Champagne exports hit by UK downturn

Published: 08 February, 2009

Global Champagne sales fell by 4.8% last year, partly due to falling demand in the UK and US.

Scotch duty cut 'would boost economy'

Published: 08 February, 2009

Economists say that a 2.5% cut in duty on Scotch whisky would boost the Scottish economy by £733m.

Guinness glass celebrates 250 years

Published: 08 February, 2009

Guinness is celebrating its 250^th anniversary with the launch of a limited-edition glass which reminds drinkers they are consuming 2.3 units of alcohol.

Industry fights back with website

Published: 06 February, 2009

An industry-wide initiative to improve the media image of pub culture across the UK has been launched online.

LVMH reports revenue fall

Published: 06 February, 2009

LVMH saw a 3% fall in revenue from wines and spirits in 2008, although sales on a like-for-like basis and taking account of currency changes were ahead by 1%.

Industry chiefs put case to Treasury

Published: 05 February, 2009

Some of the drinks industry's biggest producers, including Constellation Europe and E J Gallo, met with Treasury minister Angela Eagle this week to call for an urgent rethink of the Government's escalator tax on alcohol.

Lanson launches new UK consumer campaign

Published: 05 February, 2009

Champagne house Lanson is resisting the global downturn by launching a major trade and consumer campaign in the UK in 2009.

Jaboulet Aine quits Rhone producer

Published: 05 February, 2009

Paul Jaboulet Aine, the leading Rhone producer, has announced that export director Nicolas Jaboulet has left the company to pursue a "personal project".

Winebow aims to grow LiV sales

Published: 04 February, 2009

Long Island Spirits has signed a deal for Winebow to distribute its LiV vodka in six US states.

Asian deal for Russian Standard

Published: 04 February, 2009

Maxxium South East Asia is to distribute the portfolio of Russian Standard vodka in the region.

Grab a glass with Grant's

Published: 03 February, 2009

Scotch whisky brand Grant's has invested almost £100,000 in an on-pack campaign giving away a free 'Different Angle' glass with every bottle.

Torbreck moves to Fells

Published: 03 February, 2009

Barossa Valley producer Torbreck Vintners has appointed John E Fells as its UK importer.

Currencies hit vodka maker's forecasts

Published: 03 February, 2009

Polish vodka producer and spirits importer CEDC has reduced its full year net sales forecasts for 2009 from around US$2 billion to the range of US$1.25 billion to £14 billion.

Foley Wine restructures

Published: 03 February, 2009

California's Foley Wine Group has centralised its admin, purchasing, customer service and marketing functions in Sonoma after the acquisition of Sebastiani Vineyards in December.

Wine + to go ahead but Enotria tasting cancelled

Published: 02 February, 2009

Wine + organisers have confirmed that the two day show starting at London Olympia tomorrow, February 3, is on despite the adverse weather conditions.

Spirits 'not recession-proof' - US trade body

Published: 02 February, 2009

A warning that the spirits industry is "recession-resistant, not recession-proof" has come from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

Doubts over wine judges in California competition

Published: 31 January, 2009

Judging in wine competitions has been brought into question after an investigation of a leading US wine event found judges rarely rated a wine the same way twice.