Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Record breaking year for bottles of English and Welsh wine

Published: 03 April, 2018

A record number of bottles of English and Welsh wines were released onto the market last year, according to new HMRC data.

UK trade responds as EU27 approves negotiating guidelines for next phase of Brexit and transition deal

Published: 23 March, 2018

On Friday in Brussels EU leaders finally agreed to adopt negotiating guidelines for the future of EU-UK relations, paving the way for the next phase of talks to get underway, after months of wrangling over the details.

Spain raises the stakes

Published: 23 March, 2018

Spain has long been known as the commercial hub of Europe’s classic winemaking regions – a category that has traditionally seen off-trade sales veer towards its £5-£10 “sweet spot” or lower, to the sub-£5, rather than its top tier of lauded pagos.

Sparkling drives growth as inflation bites down on average prices

Published: 12 March, 2018

Volume sales of alcohol continued to decline in the UK off-trade in 2017, but value sales increased in both yearly and quarterly sales, particularly in sparkling wine, which remains the main driver of growth for the overall wine category.

WSTA wins European award for annual conference

Published: 27 February, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has been awarded the Best Conference gong at the European Association Awards (EAC) ceremony for its annual conference

The Midlands Wine & Spirit Association appoints new chairman

Published: 26 February, 2018

The Midlands Wine & Spirit Association (MWSA) has appointed Iain Phillips of Mentzendorff & Co as its new chairman.

WSTA strengthens board with two new appointments

Published: 07 February, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added two new members to its board - Tesco’s commercial director, Kari Daniels and The Wine society’s Robin McMillan.

UK alcohol prices the fourth most expensive in Europe

Published: 07 February, 2018

Britain has been revealed as the fourth most expensive country in Europe when it comes to alcohol.

UK distillery number doubles in five years

Published: 17 January, 2018

The number of UK distilleries in the UK has doubled in the past five years, boosted by the gin boom.

Brexit and bad harvests could dampen supply of fizz

Published: 02 January, 2018

2018 could be the year that Brits’ love of sparkling catches up with them as experts predict a fizz shortage could be about to descend on the UK.

Chancellor Philip Hammond labelled “scrooge”

Published: 21 November, 2017

Philip Hammond is being labelled a “scrooge” after it was revealed he will be one of the worst Chancellors to tax the wine and spirit sector if he pursues the planned increase in the Budget tomorrow (Wednesday, 22 November).

Jerry Lockspeiser: An epic management disaster

Published: 20 November, 2017

It’s a tale of corporate mismanagement to rival the worst.

The WSTA guide – what you need to know and what you need to question about the forthcoming budget

Published: 15 November, 2017

Budget speak explained by the WSTA

Wine companies join forces to call for wine duty freeze

Published: 15 November, 2017

UK wine businesses have joined forces to call for a freeze to wine duty at the Budget next week.  

Industry calls on Chancellor for duty help

Published: 13 November, 2017

Trade associations have called on Chancellor Philip Hammond not to increase duty rates for the second time in a year.

Major English wine producers back WSTA's call for a freeze on wine duty

Published: 23 October, 2017

Major English and Welsh wine producers have joined forces with the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) to lobby the Chancellor for a cut to wine duty in the November Budget.

EU and UK wines and spirits chiefs launch joint Brexit proposition paper

Published: 19 October, 2017

European and UK bodies responsible for the wider wine and spirit industry have joined together to publish a joint position paper to outline their stance on Brexit.

WSTA warns of further hefty price hikes if duty is not frozen

Published: 16 October, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned of further wine and spirit price hikes if the Chancellor fails to freeze duty in the November Budget.

Brexit: Clarity versus chaos

Published: 11 October, 2017

At the recent WSTA Conference the trade called for greater clarity over a potential Brexit deal. Andrew Catchpole reports

Tory backbenchers team up with the WSTA to produce their own gin

Published: 05 October, 2017

The WSTA has continued its rallying cry to the government to support producers of British gin, by convincing the 1922 Committee on board to make its own blend.