Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Pomerol's La Conseillante buys new plot

Published: 27 March, 2014

Pomerol's Château La Conseillante, owned for the past 140 years by the Nicolas family, has acquired an additional 3,000m² plot in the area.

Les Grands Chais de France to launch wine based and sparkling wine over ice brands to the UK

Published: 26 March, 2014

French wine giant, Les Grands Chais de France, is looking to release a number of wine-based drinks, including a Merlot mixed with cola, as it looks to capitalise on the growing interest in fruit based and innovative sparkling wine products both in France and overseas.

Adnams Cellar & Kitchen retail sales up 6%

Published: 26 March, 2014

Adnams Cellar & Kitchen retail business saw a 6% increase like-for-like sales for the year to December 2013.

'Sinful' wine and beer RTD launches

Published: 26 March, 2014

Mosel-based German wine producer ZGM has come up with the unthinkable: an RTD mixing beer and wine, being sold as an 'aromatised wine-cocktail' in a small, crown-capped beer bottle.

Accolade Wines recapitalises with US $300m finance facility

Published: 26 March, 2014

Global alternative finance provider GE Capital has provided Accolade Wines with a US $300 million cross-border finance facility.

Prosecco cocktails could be next big UK drinking trend, says Robin Copestick

Published: 25 March, 2014

Prosecco cocktails which have become popular across Italy and Germany could be the next big drinking trend in the UK, according to Robin Copestick of wine agency, Copestick Murray.

South African brands must invest more to bolster premium wines, says WOSA chief

Published: 25 March, 2014

In order to boost growth of South Africa's more premium wines, producers and brands need to be prepared to invest, says WoSA chief.

UK to host 2016 International Cool Climate Wine Symposium

Published: 24 March, 2014

The official launch of the 2016 International Cool Climate Wine Symposium is set to place today at ProWein in Dusseldorf where details of the event, to be hosted in the UK for the first time, will be revealed.

Jeff Clarke of Ara in Marlborough on New Zealand's 2014 vintage and plans for the UK

Published: 21 March, 2014

Geoffrey Dean talks to Jeff Clarke of Ara in Marlborough about the prospects for the 2014 vintage and how winemaking is evolving in New Zealand.

Marcelo Papa at Casillero del Diablo on the exciting changes in Chilean winemaking

Published: 20 March, 2014

Matt Walls catches up with Marcelo Papa to look at the plans for Calillero del Diablo and how developments taking place within winemaking across Chile are opening up new areas and varieties both for domestic and exported wines.

Wine shipments from the west coast of America threatened by strikes

Published: 20 March, 2014

Wine shipments in and out of the west coast of the US could be seriously hampered by possible strike action at 29 major ports.

Q&A with Nick Mantella, managing director Grupo Codorniu UK

Published: 19 March, 2014

Nick Mantella shares his views on how Cava can compete with the fast-growing Prosecco, its plans to expand its branded portfolio, and Spanish wines in the UK market.

California now making the "white space" wines people want to buy says Joel Peterson

Published: 18 March, 2014

California is now making and exporting what leading US winemaker, Joel Peterson of Ravenswood Wines, calls "white space" wines that are increasingly popular both in America in its key export markets.

Spain must plant more international grape varieties, says Rabobank

Published: 18 March, 2014

Spain should plant more international varieties and bill Tempranillo as its signature grape, if it is to combat oversupply issues and compete globally, says a Rabobank report.

Kleine Zalze to launch wine range to celebrate its new Fairtrade status

Published: 14 March, 2014

Kleine Zalze, the South African producer, has been accredited with Fairtrade status for its wine production.

Melissa Draycott on how González Byass is expanding its Spanish wine offer

Published: 14 March, 2014

Melissa Draycott, sales director from González Byass, explains to Carol Emmas why it is keen to get its message across to the trade that it has a wine offer that more than complements its world famous sherries

Bibendum strengthens Australian portfolio with Wynns

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bibendum has added Coonawarra estate Wynns to its portfolio, along with boutique Margaret River producer Fraser Gallop and fortified wines Morris of Rutherglen.

Prosecco's mass appeal may limit growth, says Cava boss

Published: 12 March, 2014

Prosecco's meteoric rise is not at the expense of Cava, insists Grupo Codorniu UK's boss, who says its mass appeal may inhibit further growth.

Best buyers understand and work with their suppliers, hears Wine Buyers Forum

Published: 12 March, 2014

The best wine buyers are the ones that do their homework on their suppliers, know their market, understand their customers and choose wines that match their own business agenda, according to two former supermarket heads of wine speaking at this week's inaugural Wine Buyers Forum i n Windsor.

How to develop wineries that offer relaxation and wow factor

Published: 11 March, 2014

With wine tourism exploding in key areas around the world, wineries are realising the financial, branding, and marketing importance of creating a "unique experience" to attract visitors in the face of growing competition.