Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UK bound: French Wine Discoveries

Published: 22 January, 2018

It can be a double-edged sword being a French winemaker.

Rioja directs coffers on global promotional spend and single village clarity for 2018

Published: 16 January, 2018

The Rioja Control Board is continuing to invest heavily in its marketing activity in 12 key countries, including the UK.

Liberty Wines bolsters NZ with Marlborough addition

Published: 04 January, 2018

Liberty Wines is bolstering its already strong New Zealand collection in order to keep in step with the continued popularity of Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

Looking ahead: Jason Haynes, co-founder, Flint Wines

Published: 20 December, 2017

With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.

Australia Day Tasting returns with special guest

Published: 20 December, 2017

The annual Australia Day Tasting (ADT) returns to the UK in January in its usual slot – but this year will feature a special guest.

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).

Marrenon returns to the UK after 7 year hiatus

Published: 20 November, 2017

Marrenon, the southeast France producer, is re-launching its portfolio in the UK with ambitions to become the leading Luberon and Ventoux winery.

New venue and new look for Wines from Spain annual London tasting

Published: 13 November, 2017

The sweeping London views from the Sky Garden at the sky-scraping ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building in The City will form the backdrop to this year’s Wines from Spain tasting, announcing a new look and fresh format for the popular annual tasting.

Land and soil take centre stage at Argentina’s Barullo

Published: 20 October, 2017

Wines of Argentina broke away from Chile last year to trial its own format with Barullo. Now in its second year, the event is committed to showing this New World innovation train hasn’t run out of steam, and is on a mission to maintain cutting edge.

Flint Wines to balance 2016 shortages with older Burgundy vintage

Published: 18 October, 2017

Burgundy specialists in the UK are having to re-think their en primeur formats this year after 2016’s weather woes meant that allocation in certain appellations are ‘tiny’.

McWilliam’s Wines moves to Enotria&Coe

Published: 12 October, 2017

Australian producer McWilliam’s Wines Group (MWG) is taking up Enotria&Coe in the UK.

Simpsons estate announces name of first fizz with help of British public

Published: 09 October, 2017

Charles and Ruth Simpson have revealed the name of their first British fizz after enlisting the help of crowdfunding investors in naming the inaugral release from their winery in, Barham, Kent.

Tejo wines push into the UK market

Published: 05 October, 2017

Wines of Tejo, the Portuguese region just outside of Lisbon, are upping the stakes in order to expand into the UK market.

Hallgarten launches online ordering for on-trade

Published: 02 October, 2017

Specialist wine importer Hallgarten Druitt and Novum Wines has introduced a new online ordering platform for it’s on-trade customers.

Tesco adds sparklers to its range

Published: 29 September, 2017

Tesco has added four new sparkling wines to its Finest own-label wine range this month, created in partnership with world renowned producers.

Crus Bourgeois du Médoc Official Selection revealed

Published: 20 September, 2017

The top wines from the 2015 Bordeaux vintage which have made it into the Official Selection have been announced.

Wanderlust e-merchant sets out to help wine-lovers “explore”

Published: 19 September, 2017

New online wine merchant, Wanderlust, is being launched with the aim of bringing as yet undiscovered artisanal wines from around the world to the UK.

John Worontschak, Mike Florence and Matthieu Elzinga, co-owners of Litmus Wines

Litmus wines to be distributed by Bibendum

Published: 19 September, 2017

Litmus Wines has teamed up with Bibendum to distribute its English wines to the on-trade.

Vagabond Wines to launch London micro winery

Published: 31 July, 2017

Vagabond Wines plans to open its next outlet in Battersea this Autumn, complete with micro winery.

D&D Wines: Angove’s five year battle to get paid

Published: 08 June, 2017

Many readers will recall the collapse of D&D Wines in 2012, leaving numerous wine suppliers from around the world owed large amounts of money for wine supplied. In such cases there is not usually much left for unsecured creditors once the liquidators have taken their fees. However, Australian producer Angove Family Winemakers was in an unusual position, which gave it a prospect of being paid in full. But Angove had to battle with D&D’s liquidators for nearly five years, and all the way to the UK Supreme Court, to obtain payment.