Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Looking ahead: Vincenzo Arnese, Alain Ducasse

Published: 26 July, 2022

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities.

WSTA celebrates LWF return, though "Recovery is not a given"

Published: 07 June, 2022

The WSTA struck a note somewhere between optimism and realism at the opening briefing of this year’s London Wine Fair, calling for “resilience and resistance” in order to manifest a more fully formed recovery of the wine and spirit trade post-Covid.

Harpers' 30 Under 30 winners announced

Published: 06 June, 2022

What a couple of years the trade has had. What ups and downs. During the worst months of Covid, we’re sure there are some who felt a bit like Midas’s barber in the ancient tales. Forced under pain of death to keep his master’s secret – that the former Greek king was hiding a pair of donkey’s ears beneath his hat – the unfortunate barber was only able to vent by taking himself to a bed of reeds and screaming that the king had, indeed, become part-ass.

Premium soft drinks set to drive on-trade sales higher

Published: 05 May, 2022

Premium soft drinks and cocktails are in more demand than ever after consumers traded up for expensive beverages at home during lockdowns.

Canada’s cool climate calls at annual tasting

Published: 03 May, 2022

The annual Canada trade tasting returns to the UK on 10 & 11 May at Canada House in central London.

Five minutes with James Hocking, James Hocking Wines

Published: 03 May, 2022

Andrew Catchpole catches up with the specialist importer after the launch of The California List to discover what is driving interest in the Golden State’s wines.

Displaced Chinese exports look for new home at ATT

Published: 11 April, 2022

A slew of Australian producers which have been forced to reorient themselves following China’s government-imposed trade tariffs were on show at Australia Trade Tasting (ATT) on Thursday, where a renewed ‘buyer-only’ mentality aimed to find new homes for wineries left with major holes in distribution.

Alternative formats: Fad or fixture?

Published: 23 March, 2022

James Lawrence asks if merchants are ready to carry the can with anything but the 75cl bottle.

Profile: Neville Abraham, Liberty Wines

Published: 15 March, 2022

On the eve of a reshuffle at Liberty Wines, Andrew Catchpole catches up with outgoing chair and serial restaurateur Neville Abraham for his views on the trade

Climate change a ‘strong threat’ for six out of 10 wineries

Published: 23 February, 2022

Sustainability is to form a “real pillar” of this year’s ProWein, with the challenge of matching economic sustainability with environmental goals acknowledged as a key issue for producers and trade alike.

Wines of Roussillon launches three-year promotional campaign

Published: 08 February, 2022

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) has unveiled a new three year generic campaign, designed to raise the profile of the region in the UK, supporting the commercial efforts of its wine producers and importers.

Vida's European union

Published: 08 February, 2022

Mining the “forgotten Old World” for terroir-driven wines, Vida’s launch to the UK on-trade and indies is championing alternative flavours and grapes. Andrew Catchpole gets a taste from frontman Olivier Freymuth

New Zealand Winegrowers launch 'Wine Trade Hub' as part of NZ Wine Week

Published: 07 February, 2022

As the second digital edition of the New Zealand Wine Week gets under way, NZ Winegrowers has launched a new educational tool – the New Zealand Wine Trade Hub.

Quintessential Brands unveils 'industry-first' Spirit Centre

Published: 04 February, 2022

International spirits business Quintessential Brands has launched a first-of-its-kind Spirit Centre, designed to “take customer collaboration to new heights to drive better, insight-driven innovation within spirits”.

Occitanie Tasting returns to London after three year hiatus

Published: 04 February, 2022

The 10th edition of the Occitanie Annual Trade Tasting will showcase a diverse range of wines from the South of France, featuring over 300 labels produced in the largest wine region in the world.

Resetting Australia

Published: 01 February, 2022

With export markets yo-yoing in the wake of China’s trade tariffs, Australia is once again reassessing its place in the wine world. Andrew Catchpole reports.

End of Plan B restrictions brings ‘cautious optimism’ for hospitality boost

Published: 28 January, 2022

Sales of alcohol in the on-trade have continued to lag behind the levels seen in 2020, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker, yet a resurgence is forecast as Plan B restrictions come to an end this week.

Hospitality entrepreneur launches government petition to extend visa programme

Published: 26 January, 2022

In light of the ongoing staff crisis facing the UK's hospitality sector, bar owner Sunny Hodge has raised a petition to extend the Skilled Worker Visa programme, arguing that it should be expanded to include non-managerial on-trade positions such as sommeliers, cocktail bartenders and maitre’ds.

Trade urged to act ahead of duty review consultation deadline

Published: 26 January, 2022

With just four days to go before the 30 January consultation deadline on the UK Government’s proposed changes to the way excise duty on alcohol is calculated, the last chance to be heard is fast closing in.

Australian wine producers lobby UK government over proposed duty reform

Published: 24 January, 2022

Australian wine producers have joined forces with Wine Drinkers UK, a collection of leading wine lovers, makers and sellers, to lobby the Chancellor to rethink his proposed alcohol duty reform.