Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Shining a light on Eastern delights from the EU

Published: 06 January, 2025

Focusing on Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania for the EU’s More than Only Food & Drink campaign.

Kingsland Drinks agrees deal with Lidl for bolgrad wines

Published: 06 November, 2024

Kingsland Drinks has secured an exclusive deal with Lidl GB to introduce wines from Ukraine’s Bolgrad Winery to the UK, marking the first Ukrainian wines listed by a British supermarket.

Unusual Suspects Report: A taste of Moldova in the Midlands

Published: 27 August, 2024

Cristina Paunoiu is the co-owner of Wine Chateau, a retailer and wholesaler focused on Moldovan wine in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Jo Gilbert spoke to her about an unlikely wine venture.

Staff shortages affect 45% of wine industry Prowein finds

Published: 11 October, 2023

According to new research published by Prowein, 45% of businesses in the wine industry have been affected by staff shortages over the last two years.

Thracians target UK market

Published: 15 August, 2023

The Ancient Thracian Lowlands PGI has launched a three-year campaign aimed at raising the profile of its wines in the UK.

Spotlight on the women of CEE at 67 Pall Mall

Published: 20 March, 2023

Women winemakers of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) were at the centre of a first-of-its kind tasting in London this week, which dove into some of the more esoteric parts of Europe’s winemaking map, spanning Moldova, Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania and Hungary.

Long read: Checking in with Czechia

Published: 21 December, 2022

Fresh from Moravia, David Furer finds a new wave of modernity delivering much promise in an old region.

Long Read: Hidden gems making their mark

Published: 27 May, 2021

While travel has been restricted, many wine drinkers have been on their own journey of exploration enjoying hidden gem wines – whether unusual varieties from popular wine-growing countries or regions, or familiar grapes from unfamiliar places.

Cramele Recas secures Waitrose listing

Published: 22 June, 2020

Cramele Recas has secured its first listing with Waitrose.

Georgian UK wine exports continue to surge

Published: 21 April, 2020

Georgian wine exports to the UK surged, albeit from a small platform, in the first quarter of this year boosted by a quartet of new importers.

Cramele Recas donates further trio of ventilators and medical equipment

Published: 03 April, 2020

Cramele Recas has donated a further three ventilators and medical equipment to hospitals in Timisoara, Romania, to help frontline healthcare workers deliver the best care in the fight against coronavirus (Covid-19).

Co-op continues expansion with first Romanian and Uruguayan wines

Published: 12 March, 2020

Co-op’s has broadened its portfolio by adding its first wines from Romania and Uruguay.

Wines of Hungary turns spotlight on Blaufränkisch

Published: 23 September, 2019

Wines of Hungary UK is turning the spotlight on Blaufränkisch at its Blue of the Danube tasting taking place next month.

Eastern promise: Bulgaria and Hungary

Published: 01 April, 2019

After a few difficult vintages in western wine countries, central and eastern Europe are piquing buyers’ interest for well-made international varieties. Countries in these regions are increasingly seen as exciting for wine drinkers, offering an array of high-quality, authentic, local grapes and good-value wines that can offer a new story for retailers and sommeliers.

Aperol continues to lead the way for Campari Group

Published: 05 March, 2019

The demand for Italian aperitifs is still going strong, after sales of Aperol jumped 56% in the UK last year.

Polish polish

Published: 13 November, 2018

Poland is setting its sights to become an internationally recognised producer of quality wine, with the number of vineyards doubling over the past four years.

Asia drives strong Q1 growth at Pernod Ricard

Published: 18 October, 2018

Pernod Ricard’s first quarter figures revealed strong growth underpinned by China and India the Asian markets.

Romanian wine sales soar at Waitrose

Published: 17 April, 2018

Waitrose has reported a surge in the popularity of Romanian wine.

Transformed Slovakia targets UK

Published: 16 March, 2018

UK wine importers have sealed new distribution deals to import their first cool climate wines from Slovakia, in moves that highlight the transformation of viticulture in the eastern EU country.

Further investment and NPD for Cramele Recas on the back of booming exports

Published: 23 January, 2018

Cramele Recas has revealed plans to expand its winery to produce an additional four million litres, taking its total capacity to 30 million, on the back of soaring exports.