News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Report: Gen Z drives UK cocktail growth

Published: 17 November, 2025

According to the seventh annual Bacardi Cocktail Trends Report, Gen Z is driving cocktail culture in the UK.

Luigi Bosca affirms commitment to UK market at London event

Published: 17 November, 2025

On 11 November, Harpers attended a dinner at UNA, a single-table restaurant in St Pancras Clocktower, hosted by Argentinian wine producer Luigi Bosca and Bancroft Wines.

HMRC ‘sin taxes’ revenues down by 35% over last decade

Published: 17 November, 2025

HMRC take from the so-called ‘sin taxes’, comprising alcohol, tobacco and gambling, have continued on a downward trajectory, having fallen 35% in the last decade, according to research by leading accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young.

Record participants drive strong 165th Hospice de Beaune Auction

Published: 17 November, 2025

Sotheby’s has reported a record number of registrants for the 165th Hospice de Beaune Auction, with the final hammer coming down yesterday (16 November) to deliver a total of €18,754,670 raised by the historic charity auction.

Great Wines Direct acquired by global commerce platform

Published: 17 November, 2025

Global commerce and distribution platform Komerz Ltd has announced its acquisition of Great Wines Direct (GWD), the UK online wine retailer.

Rhône Valley Crus: Newly promoted appellations spotlighted

Published: 14 November, 2025

At Soho’s Vinyl Factory, 17 of the Côtes du Rhône’s Cru level appellations were on hand to showcase their latest wines. Well-known regions – the likes of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Condrieu – were in attendance, as were the three newest Cru status AOCs – Laudun, Cairanne and Rasteau.

Liv-ex: UK buyers diversifying away from Bordeaux

Published: 14 November, 2025

Global wine exchange Liv-ex has released its market report for November, which shows that momentum in the secondary market is continuing to build – encouragingly, the Bordeaux 500 saw its first increase since March 2023.

The Drinks Trust appoints five new board members

Published: 14 November, 2025

The Drinks Trust, a trade charity that assists people in the drinks industry, has announced the appointment of five professionals from the drinks and hospitality industry to its Board of Trustees.

Verallia launches 300g Burgundy bottle

Published: 14 November, 2025

The European glass packaging producer Verallia has launched the Burgundy Air 300G, an ultra-light Burgundy bottle.

Global wine sales set to drop -2.4% in 2025

Published: 13 November, 2025

Alcohol data and insights company IWSR has forecasted a -2.4% decline in global wine volume sales for 2025. This plays out against the background of a predicted -0.4% fall in global beverage alcohol volume sales for the year.

Coterie acquires Hong Kong importer

Published: 13 November, 2025

London-based fine wine business Coterie Group has announced its acquisition of Links Concept Family Wine Merchants, a family-owned fine wine importer and distributor from Hong Kong.

Kopke unveils 80-year-old tawny

Published: 12 November, 2025

Port house Kopke has unveiled its first ever 80-Year-Old Tawny. The 1638-founded producer follows Graham’s and Taylor’s, who both introduced the category to their respective ranges this year.

November Budget: UKH demands action as hospitality job losses mount

Published: 12 November, 2025

Trade body UKHospitality (UKH) has urged the government to take action at the upcoming Budget to protect jobs and restore confidence in the hospitality sector.

Burgundy harvest: Low yields with good fruit reported

Published: 11 November, 2025

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has released its 2025 Burgundy harvest report, detailing low yields but healthy grapes.

Berkmann appoints Vincenzo Arnese to London Prestige team

Published: 11 November, 2025

One of the UK’s largest family-run wine distributors, Berkmann Wine Cellars, has announced the appointment of Vincenzo Arnese (pictured) to its London Prestige team.

Dates unveiled for fresh look SITT Spring 2026

Published: 11 November, 2025

The Spring iteration of the Specialist Importers Trade Tasting (SITT) 2026 is set to take place on Monday 23 February at etc.venues, Manchester and Wednesday 25 February at Lindley Hall, London.

2025 Golden Vines Award winners announced

Published: 10 November, 2025

On 8 November 2025, the winners of the 2025 Golden Vines Awards were announced in a ceremony at the Faena Forum in Miami.

Former Tesco chief Dave Lewis announced as Diageo CEO

Published: 10 November, 2025

Drinks giant Diageo has unveiled its new chief executive with Sir Dave Lewis taking the helm at the company. The new hire will commence his role from 1 January 2026.

Leading hospitality businesses demand action at upcoming Budget

Published: 10 November, 2025

Trade body UKHospitality has called for action ahead of the upcoming Budget in an open letter backed by 345 hospitality businesses.

Nick Gillett: EPR is hitting spirits hard

Published: 10 November, 2025

October marked the beginning of fees coming into play for the notorious Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme – the UK government’s latest attempt at minimising waste packaging in our supply chains. Now, this new scheme’s effects are far reaching, it spans industries and channels but I would argue there are few worse affected than spirits.