Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Retailers urged to be vigilant under AWRS

Published: 01 February, 2017

Retailers must check that their alcohol wholesaler is registered under new rules which come into force on April 1.

Save the date circulated for possible return of Annual Champagne Tasting

Published: 01 February, 2017

The Annual Champagne Tasting could be returning to London following the divisive decision made last year not to hold the event in 2017.

Lebanon going back to its - Cinsault - roots

Published: 01 February, 2017

Lebanon is going back to its roots - in every sense.

R&D raising the bar on cork versus screwcap

Published: 01 February, 2017

As we take our first steps into 2017, the industry brings with it the old battle of cork versus screwcap as the two closures continue their struggle for supremacy.

New private club appoints wine director for Château Latour partnership

Published: 31 January, 2017

A new members club which is set to heavily feature Château Latour wines when it opens later this year has secured a wine director.

Amazon Fresh competitor Ocado delivers "robust" results

Published: 31 January, 2017

Ocado, the online grocer often seen squeezing down the back roads of middle class England has reported a rise in annual profits.

Why Argentinian reds are the new Malbec

Published: 31 January, 2017

Much of Argentina's success over the past few years is undeniably down to the runaway success of the Malbec in the UK.

Sherry soldiers on with Wines from Spain masterclass

Published: 30 January, 2017

Sherry, regionality and gastronomy will take centre stage when Wines from Spain's annual trade tasting comes to London's Tobacco Dock on March 9.

Profile: Henry Boyes, wine buyer, Mitchells & Butlers

Published: 30 January, 2017

Buying wine for Mitchells & Butlers is no small task.

Beyond spirits: Premium mixers and adult soft drinks

Published: 30 January, 2017

Premium mixers caught up with premium spirits in 2016. Where to next?

Spotlight on Riesling at Wines of Germany's annual fellowship dinner

Published: 30 January, 2017

Four new Riesling champions were inducted into the Riesling Fellowship hall of fame at Wines of Germany's recent celebrating of the country's sparkling wine.

Buyers and producers discuss forecasted higher demand for Languedoc at Vinisud

Published: 30 January, 2017

A survey of 1,100 distributors in seven countries has identified the Langeudoc as the wine region most likely to see increased consumer demand in the next 24 months.

Tesco buys Londis and Budgens owner Booker for £3.7bn

Published: 27 January, 2017

Tesco is set to merge with Britain's biggest food wholesaler Booker in a £3.7bn deal to create "the UK's leading food business".

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 27 January, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Educating your premier crew

Published: 27 January, 2017

London may be the wine capital of the world, with arguably the best selection of wines available to buy in every bar, restaurant, shop and supermarket, up and down the country, yet the majority of staff that work in these places know little or nothing about what they're supposed to be selling.

Diageo celebrates growth in 2017 interim results

Published: 26 January, 2017

Spirits giant Diageo has reported a better than expected rise in sales helped by improvements in its US business and its Scotch portfolio.

ADT 2017: Spain and Italy getting more bang for their 1% buck

Published: 26 January, 2017

A quick glance around at London's very well attended Australia Day Tasting on Tuesday (January 24) showed that very few producers were without Italian and Spanish varieties such as Tempranillo, Fiano and Vermentino - one of Austria's fastest growing grapes.

PGI application to protect 'British' versus imported grapes

Published: 24 January, 2017

The chair of the UKVA has hit back at claims that the purpose of a new PGI application was to coin a popular name for English sparkling wine, but rather to prevent grapes grown outside the UK from being called 'British'.

Writer and educator Steven Spurrier named WSET's fifth honorary president

Published: 24 January, 2017

Steven Spurirer, the industry veteran known for staging wine's very own Judgment of Paris in 1976, has been announced as the WSET's new honourary president.

New Zealand Pinot Noir comes of age

Published: 24 January, 2017

At home in the cooler regions of Wairarapa, Nelson, Marlborough, Waipara and Central Otago, Pinot Noir is New Zealand's most important red variety, representing 70% of all red plantings and 15.4% of New Zealand's total vineyard.