Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Simon Thomas leaves Pernod Ricard

Published: 03 May, 2012

Pernod Ricard has appointed Chris Ellis to the position of commercial director for wines following Simon Thomas's departure.

Peter Lehmann Wines switches distribution to Hallgarten

Published: 01 May, 2012

Australia's Peter Lehmann Wines have switched distribution from Enotria to Hallgarten Druitt.

Douglas Blyde: Behind the scenes in Istria, Croatia at the Piquentum Winery

Published: 01 May, 2012

A five-bolt lock pins the rust-coloured door to the hillside. Trees sprout above, just in leaf, their roots wrapping around, but unable to enter. Beneath, Dimitri Bre?evi?'s winery unravels, church-like in its proportions, verdegris mottling concrete walls and blood of Christ soundlessly maturing. Mightily built, this cavern was conceived as a water tank in 1928, converted for war shelter in the early 90s, and, just months ago, recognised as actually here by cartographers and authorities...

Oddbins matches London's mayoral candidates with wines

Published: 25 April, 2012

Oddbins, the 35-strong high street wine retailer, has selected seven wines that "sum up" each of the mayoral candidates.

Romanian Winegrowers expands distribution

Published: 23 April, 2012

Romanian Winegrowers, is to expand its distribution across the UK with new listings from The Wine Society, Waitrose and...

D&D Wines enters administration

Published: 23 April, 2012

D&D Wines International has gone into adminstration.

Cracks show in en primeur with Latour's withdrawal

Published: 20 April, 2012

Despite assurances to the contrary, Château Latour's withdrawal from the en primeur system could be bad for business and threaten the traditional Bordeaux marketplace.

Leading Italian producer calls for greater professional standards

Published: 20 April, 2012

A leading Italian wine producer says there is too much confusion with labelling, and called for greater professional standards to be introduced, given the industry's rapid expansion.

Campo Viejo in film festival link-up

Published: 17 April, 2012

Campo Viejo is aiming to bring to life the vibrancy of Spanish culture with a new film festival sponsorship deal.

Stratford's refocuses on Old World Wines

Published: 12 April, 2012

Stratford's Wine Agencies' move back towards Old World wines and away from its New World stronghold has paid off, says managing director Paul Stratford.

Neil McGuigan: Consumers need education that 'less is more' on flavour

Published: 27 March, 2012

Consumers need to be educated that 'less is more' when it comes to trading up, according to Australian Vintage boss Neil McGuigan.

Justin Keay: a tour of South African wineries

Published: 25 March, 2012

Justin Keay reports back on a recent visit to 12 South African wineries.

Buckingham Schenk has 'cracking' year

Published: 22 March, 2012

Buckingham Schenk saw sales rise by 12% in 2011, led by a "cracking" 152% increase from Argentinian brand Viñalba.

Ehrmanns aims for £3 million revenue hike

Published: 22 March, 2012

Ehrmanns is aiming to hit the £20 million mark in sales revenue by the end of its financial year, up from £17 million last year.

Claire Hu: South African Classic Wine awards with a French twist

Published: 20 March, 2012

What do you get when you fly a group of French bigwigs to South Africa to judge wines made by their antipodean colleagues? An entente cordiale or a guerre froide (cold war)?

Six in 10 consumers willing to pay £7+ on wine, says Pernod Ricard

Published: 15 March, 2012

Since 58% of shoppers are willing to trade up on wine, but only 11% do, Pernod Ricard is stepping up its premium push.

Consumer engagement is key to French success

Published: 13 March, 2012

French wine brands should take a leaf out of the soft drinks or confectionery categories' books by thinking about what the consumer wants.

Chilean wines growing fastest in independents

Published: 05 March, 2012

Chilean wines are growing fast in the independent sector - having displaced Italy from fourth place by volume - they now have a 10% share of that market.

Pernod Ricard launches off-trade Espresso Martini pack

Published: 23 February, 2012

Pernod Ricard has launched a Espresso Martini pack as part of its premium edge initiative to allow off-trade retailers to tap into the popular cocktail trend.