Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Best of British: we celebrate Top Merchants around the country

Published: 10 March, 2015

In part two of our Best of British feature, Harpers takes a look at three more independent wine merchants to keep your eyes on.

Portuguese wine exports up 10% in UK says ViniPortugal

Published: 09 March, 2015

Portuguese wine exports to the UK rose 10% by volume in 2014, according to the latest figures from ViniPortugal. Values were also up 23%, it said.

Spain and Argentina are the two big winners in the UK on-trade says new report

Published: 09 March, 2015

Spain and Argentina were the two big winners in the UK on-trade last year, according to the latest Wine On-Premise report from Wine Business Solutions.

Leading Labour MP calls on Chancellor to cut "shocking" duty levels in Budget

Published: 09 March, 2015

Leading front bench MP Sadiq Khan has followed up a Harpers request to lobby the Chancellor for a 2% cut in alcohol duty for wine and spirits and back the Wine & Spirit Trade Association-led Drop the Duty campaign.

2015 London Wine Fair will be the "most diverse" ever promises show organisers

Published: 09 March, 2015

This year's London Wine Fair will be the most diverse in its 35 year history, according to show director Ross Carter.

ProWein Preview: The Brits are coming!

Published: 09 March, 2015

Downtown Düsseldorf will be the place to be this March as ProWein opens its doors to hordes of international buyers - with the Brits increasingly first in the queue. Here is what you can expect for arguably the largest drinks tradeshow in the world.

María José Sevilla, Wines from Spain, on what we can expect next in the UK

Published: 09 March, 2015

Consumer knowledge of Spanish wines has grown exponentially in the UK in recent years. María José Sevilla, director of Wines From Spain, talks to Harpers about what's next.

Country analysis: Californian wines hit the jackpot in the UK

Published: 08 March, 2015

It seems California wines have struck gold in the UK in recent years, as the value of US wine exports has exponentially grown within the global wine market, despite volumes staying relatively stable, writes Erin Smith

High dining in the "Walkie Talkie's" Sky Garden

Published: 06 March, 2015

Rhubarb, the south-west London-based caterer-turned-restaurateur has three venues atop the £200-million 20 Fenchurch Street, nicknamed the "Walkie-Talkie" for its distinctive top-heavy shape. Together, the Sky Pod Bar, Darwin Brasserie and Fenchurch Seafood Bar & Grill are intended to form a "gourmet, garden oasis". And so they do, writes Douglas Blyde.

Pernod Ricard's Denis O'Flynn urges senior industry figures to sign up and back WSTA

Published: 06 March, 2015

More senior businesses and figures in the UK wine and spirits industry need to get behind the work of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association to try and protects its future growth, according to Denis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard UK, and the trade body's new chairman.

Bordeaux's last chance to transform "out of touch" en primeur system says Tim Atkin

Published: 06 March, 2015

Leading UK wine critic and Harpers columnist, Tim Atkin MW, has fired a warning shot across the bows of Bordeaux and warned its producers and chateaux that they need to listen to the international critricism of its en primeur system and make serious changes or risk looking "ridiculous" in the eyes of the wine world.

Chiefs of the Week: the UK's independent wine merchants

Published: 06 March, 2015

For over the last month Harpers has been celebrating and putting the spotlight on the work independent wine merchants do and the growing importance they have on the drinks industry as part of our March for the Independents campaign.

South Africa's wild fires under control as wineries assess damage to vines

Published: 06 March, 2015

Cape Town, South Africa, which has been battling some of the worst wild fires the country has seen in over a decade, has now seen the blaze brought under control and wine authorities are starting to assess any potential vineyard damage.

Diversifying in to cafes, bars and events are key for growth hears March for Indies conference

Published: 06 March, 2015

Independent merchants are seeing growth through expansion and diversification, moving from a purely traditional merchant and wholesale model to embrace new revenue streams, the March for the Independents conference heard.

March for the Independents: Harpers exclusive poll finds a growing split between large and small independents

Published: 06 March, 2015

There is a growing split between the scale, performance and growth of the country's independent wine merchants, according to an exclusive poll conducted for Harpers March for the Independents conference and campaign.

To succeed online takes hard work, time and money independents are warned

Published: 06 March, 2015

Driving online sales may be a priority for independent wine merchants, but to do it successfully requires a lot of hard work, takes up a great deal of time and crucially costs a lot of money.

Indies must set the agenda with suppliers to be better buyers hears Harpers conference

Published: 06 March, 2015

It does not matter how good you are at tasting wine, if there is one skill every independent merchant must master it is the power to get the most out of the suppliers you choose to supply your wine.

Mark Holdsworth, Half Hitch Gin, on breathing new life in to London gin

Published: 06 March, 2015

Camden Lock in north London was once the centre of the capital's gin production. Fifty years after the last distiller moved out, Mark Holdsworth is breathing new life into the area. He talks about craft gin and his plans for Half Hitch with Helen Arnold.

Martin Williams: Ex-Gaucho boss on theatre of dining at his new 'M Restaurants'

Published: 06 March, 2015

Martin Williams caused a stir in the restaurant world when he announced he was leaving his top job at Gaucho Grill to go it alone in a 300-seat destination dining venue in central London. But he could not be happier following the opening of his new venture "M".

UK vs France: the differences in marketing regulation of alcoholic drinks

Published: 06 March, 2015

If we think drinks legislation is inhibitive in the UK we only need look across the Channel to cheer ourselves. We asked Dr Tom Farrell and Dr Beno&icirct Lecat which system is more fit for purpose in the 21st century.