Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Third branch for London wine merchant

Published: 07 June, 2011

London wine merchant Planet of the Grapes has opened a second wine bar in the capital.

First Drinks pushes mixed serves

Published: 06 June, 2011

Encouraging consumers to trial simple mixed serves of its key brands is central to First Drinks' summer marketing campaign.

Crimson Wine buys Sonoma's Seghesio Family Vineyards

Published: 06 June, 2011

The Crimson Wine Group has bought Seghesio Family Vineyards, one of California's oldest family-owned wineries.

Sterling falls due to optimism over bailout for Greece

Published: 06 June, 2011

Sterling ended last week by falling to a four week low against the euro on optimism over a new bailout for Greece.

The Famous Grouse launches new blends

Published: 06 June, 2011

The Famous Grouse, has introduced two new blends, that includes The Snow Grouse which is the first Scotch whisky specially created to be served straight from the freezer.

Top Merchants seminar on how to expand your business moves to July 13

Published: 03 June, 2011

Harpers' Top Merchants seminar on expanding your business has been moved to a new date of July 13 and will now look at all the various ways in which independents are growing their businesses from taking on new sites to offering new services such as wholesaling, direct sales and café/deli operations.

Celebrate France wine promotion seeks new partners

Published: 03 June, 2011

The Celebrate France promotion, which saw suppliers gain new listings and independent merchants boost French wine sales on average of 25% last year, will run from September to November 2011.

Baile: Oddbins collapse was 'absolute tragedy'

Published: 03 June, 2011

Former Oddbins owner Simon Baile said the collapse of the high street chain was an "absolute tragedy", and that he did all he could to save it, including suggesting someone else run it.

Titanic Whiskey launches new distillery in Belfast

Published: 03 June, 2011

The makers of Titanic Whiskey have announced plans to open a distillery in Belfast within two years.

Sterling hits two-week low

Published: 03 June, 2011

Sterling hit a two-week low versus the euro on Thursday, knocked by downbeat comments from a Bank of England policy maker.

Below-cost selling formula chosen as 'easy to understand'

Published: 02 June, 2011

The government's much-criticised formula for banning the sale of alcohol below cost was chosen because it was "easy to understand".

Treasury Secretary says English wine has 'bright future'

Published: 02 June, 2011

Treasury Secretary Justine Greening believes English wine has a "bright future".

Yohann Jousselin wins UK Sommelier of the Year

Published: 02 June, 2011

Yohann Jousselin, from The Vineyard at Stockcross in Newbury, Berkshire has won the 2011 Piper-Heidsieck UK Sommelier of the Year award.

Isla Negra launches 'Inspired by the Coast'

Published: 02 June, 2011

Conch y Toro UK has launched a social media campaign for its brand Isla Negra called "Inspired by the Coast" that aims to tap into the current popularity of UK coastal holidays.

Sterling plummets due to drop in UK manufacturing data

Published: 02 June, 2011

Sterling had a poor day yesterday, plummeting against the US dollar and euro to close the day nearly 0.6% down against both currencies.

Sterling hits high as investors move away from dollar

Published: 01 June, 2011

Sterling hit the highest level against the US dollar in nearly a month yesterday after a jump in global risk appetite saw investors move away from US dollars into other higher yielding currencies.

Ardbeg unleashes Alligator as its latest special release

Published: 01 June, 2011

Ardbeg is set to release this year's limited edition bottle - Ardbeg Alligator - to the trade on September 1.

Blandy's regains control of Madeira Wine Company

Published: 01 June, 2011

Symington Family Estates and the Blandy Group have reached an agreement to allow Blandy's to regain control of the Madeira Wine Company.

Veuve Clicquot to donate extra lots to shipwreck auction

Published: 01 June, 2011

Veuve Clicquot is to donate an additional 15 lots of rare Champagne to be auctioned alongside the bottles recovered last year from a 19th century shipwreck.

Loungers plans to open seven more sites this year

Published: 01 June, 2011

Loungers, the Bristol-based group behind the Lounge and Cosy Club bar-restaurants, plans to open seven more sites by April 2012, after announcing 55% growth in turnover and 88% rise in EBITDA profits.