Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Chiefs of the week: Guy Woodward

Published: 11 July, 2014

Let's raise a glass to our new regular columnist Guy Woodward who is now entertaining Harpers readers with his insightful, cutting and controversial views.

Frédérique Dutheillet de Lamothe on why Cru Bourgeois is a wine brand in its own right

Published: 11 July, 2014

The French Appellation Contrôlée system is famously based on guaranteeing the geographical origin of a wine, rather than focusing on the quality of what is actually in the bottle - something that causes a headache for those who are trying to sell French wine and the consumers who wonder what the difference is between a bottle of Bordeaux at £4 and one at £24.

Herman ze German's cheeky World Cup offer

Published: 10 July, 2014

The CP had thought the days of Stan Boardman and his "ze German" jokes had been confined to history. But that was until we came across the London eaterie, Herman ze German, which has been quick to send out news alerts urging people to head to its outlets this Sunday and enjoy the World Cup final with a bratwurst or two.

The Wine Chambers: bringing quality wine to the north east

Published: 10 July, 2014

Ben Chambers, owner of The Wine Chambers stores in Tynemouth and North Shields, talks about the difficulty of buying quality wine in the north east, the superiority of bottled-at-source wine and what keeps customers returning.

Frescobaldi family to open first UK restaurant

Published: 10 July, 2014

Acclaimed Italian wine family, the Frescobaldis, is to open its first standalone restaurant and wine bar in the UK.

David Babich on how carefully matched food helps bring his wines alive

Published: 10 July, 2014

David Babich, general manager of the family-owned Babich Wines, which reaped its first vintage in Auckland's Henderson Valley in 1916, along with Dinah Kinnear, sales manager for Europe, introduced their wine range at a special event hosted by UK distributor, PLB, at London's Underground Cookery School.

Over 55s increasingly happy with new smart technology to buy online

Published: 09 July, 2014

Drinks brands and retailers looking to target the key over 55 grey market should do so through smartphones, tablets and the internet as the older generation becomes increasingly comfortable with technology.

Draft House to launch new beer and cocktail bar concept

Published: 09 July, 2014

London craft beer bar chain Draft House is launching a beer and cocktail bar concept with a DIY micro-distillery below its flagship site on the south side of Tower Bridge.

Retailers and suppliers yet to crack low-alcohol wine, says Harpers report

Published: 09 July, 2014

Try as it might, the UK wine trade has yet to crack the low-alcohol wine category, according to a new Harpers report published today.

Spanish restaurant chain, MasQMenos, opens in London

Published: 08 July, 2014

MasQMenos, the Spanish restaurant chain, is to open its first UK site in Holborn in London offering what it claims will be "Spanish gastronomy in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere".

Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company: what I want from my suppliers

Published: 07 July, 2014

As an independent wine merchant one of the important and challenging jobs is how we deal and negotiate with suppliers. These can be large national companies or small boutique operations and we could be dealing with anything from the old fashioned "rep" to owners, directors or winemakers.

Lebanese producers move to protect vital supplies from Syria

Published: 07 July, 2014

Lebanese wine producers are having to take continued steps to ensure the quality of aniseed sourced from Syria to help make the traditonal drink, arak, is not compromised by the continued conflict over the border.

Adrian Atkinson leaves his role as Pernod Ricard's wine development manager

Published: 04 July, 2014

Adrian Atkinson has left Pernod Ricard this week as part of a mini restructure of its commercial and marketing teams.

Independents put their foot down and demand more from major suppliers

Published: 04 July, 2014

Serious about working with leading independent wine merchants? Then this is a must read for you. Members of Harpers Independent Wine Crew set out what it is they like and don't like from the major wine distributors. Richard Siddle and Erin Smith report

Wine merchants celebrate national Independents' Day with sales boosts of up to 30%

Published: 04 July, 2014

Independent wine merchants are going from strength to strength in the UK, with a straw poll showing sales up by between 20% and 30%.

Leading independents hit out at major wine suppliers for their "lazy" service

Published: 04 July, 2014

Leading independent wine merchants have stepped up to the plate today to strongly criticise the quality of service that they are receiving from many of the major UK national wine suppliers and distributors.

Naked Wines has 50% increase in number of Angels and 40% sales growth in 2013

Published: 04 July, 2014

Naked Wines released it financial performance results today for 2013 which includes a 40% increase in sales reaching £53 million driven by a 50% increase in the number of Angel investors.

France Summit to focus on how the country is adapting to UK consumer needs

Published: 04 July, 2014

Harpers will once again be turning the spotlight well and truly on the ins and outs, ups and downs of the French wine category as the French Summit returns for its second year on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

Guy Woodward lambasts old school wine world for being stuck in its ivory tower

Published: 04 July, 2014

Former Decanter editor, Guy Woodward, uses his first regular Harpers column today to lambast the old school wine world for being out of touch with how consumers now want to talk about wine.