Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Amathus takes on Org de Rac

Published: 18 January, 2019

Amathus Drinks has signed a deal as the UK distributor of organically certified South African wine producer Org de Rac.

Prosecco on the way out says Naked Wines

Published: 11 December, 2018

Sauvignon Blanc still reigns supreme as Britain’s favourite grape, while Prosecco is on the wane according to the latest from Naked Wines.

Bruce Jack UK launch

Published: 22 November, 2018

Prominent South African winemaker Bruce Jack officially launched his new eponymous wine range yesterday at High Timber restaurant in London.

Distell to launch fine wine division

Published: 14 November, 2018

African wine, spirits and cider giant Distell is set to launch a new premium wine division with Nederburg as its flagship, Harpers can reveal.

Cape Wine 2018 pulls in record visitor numbers

Published: 28 September, 2018

Wines of South Africa’s Cape Wine has seen an increase in visitor numbers of 27% on the previous event held in 2015.

Hard Brexit could be “disastrous” for overseas producers

Published: 19 September, 2018

The Fairtrade Foundation has warned that a ‘no-deal’ Brexit could be disastrous for producers.

Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective launch lays down gauntlet to UK and US buyers

Published: 13 September, 2018

Be prepared to pay more or risk losing top Stellenbosch Cabernets to the Asian market was one of the messages to UK and US buyers at the launch of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective at Cape Wine 2018.

Cape Wine 2018 calls to address challenge of profitability with investment in training and people

Published: 12 September, 2018

Sustainability in both economic and human terms was outlined as the key challenge facing Cape winemakers at the opening conference of Cape Wine 2018.

Repositioning South Africa

Published: 28 August, 2018

Celebrated by critics but crippled by drought and low returns, South Africa rarely has an easy ride.

Few in the trade could have missed the ongoing challenges facing South Africa’s wine producers as the worst drought in 100 years continues to afflict the Cape. With the 2018 crop predicted to be down by 15% after two years of water shortage that almost saw Cape Town meet “day zero” and turn off its domestic supply, the harvest has been described by Bibendum’s South Africa buyer, Paul Meihuizen, as “the most challenging I have ever known”.

Andrew Higgs returns to Dreyfus Ashby

Published: 01 August, 2018

Dreyfus Ashby has announced Andrew Higgs is returning to the fold after a 12 year hiatus.

South Africa 2018 harvest “most challenging” in living memory

Published: 31 July, 2018

Serious drought in the Western Cape affected both natural supplies of water and government allocations ahead of this year’s harvest.

Laarman grows portfolio with new premium collection

Published: 22 May, 2018

Laarman Wines has unveiled the maiden vintage of its premium Focal Point collection.

Harpers Wine Stars Awards 2018: South Africa and New Zealand

Published: 11 May, 2018

Two quite different countries, with quite different strengths and selling points featured in our latest Wine Stars judging session at The Worx in London’s leafy Parsons Green.

VinPro reports 15% smaller harvest

Published: 09 May, 2018

VinPro has reported a 15% smaller harvest (1 220 920 tonnes) across South Africa compared to 2017 – one of the smallest crops in more than a decade.

Fairtrade on the rise

Published: 08 May, 2018

The Co-op’s new conversion of its major own-label range will boost the UK’s Fairtrade wine volumes by 20%. Jo Gilbert explores a category on the rise.

Harpers Wine Stars Awards: calling final entries for South Africa, New Zealand and England

Published: 01 March, 2018

Would you like your wines to feature among the Stars? Then don’t miss the 17 March entry submission deadline for our South Africa, New Zealand and England Wine Stars Awards (see below).

Solid wine growth at Distell backed by R22 million investment to mitigate effects of drought

Published: 23 February, 2018

Distell Group’s results for the six months to 31 December 2018 report revenue up 9.3% on increased volumes of 3.7%, up to R13.4 billion (£828 million).

All dry on the Western Cape

Published: 16 February, 2018

As Cape Town’s water crisis approaches Day Zero rationing, James Lawrence assesses the impact of the drought on the wine industry

Tim Atkin MW: Day Zero looms for South Africa

Published: 09 February, 2018

“Day Zero” sounds like the title of a dystopian disaster movie, starring Matt Damon or an ageing Bruce Willis perhaps. But what’s happening in South Africa right now has nothing to do with fantasy or fiction. On the contrary, it’s all too real. If you’ve not been reading the news from Cape Town recently, the city is about to run out of water. On January 18, the city’s mayor, Patricia de Lille, said that the “point of no return” had been reached and that, if things continue as they are with little or no rainfall, by April 12 (Day Zero), the taps will be turned off.

Hamilton Russell to launch Ashbourne Pinotage/Cinsault in the UK

Published: 25 January, 2018

Iconic South African producer Hamilton Russell Vineyards has unveiled plans to launch a new Ashbourne Pinotage/Cinsault blend into the UK market next year.