News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

67 Pall Mall confirms China expansion

Published: 24 June, 2025

The global expansion of private members’ wine club 67 Pall Mall is set to continue with the signing of a lease for its first venue in Mainland China.

New appointment for BBR in Washington DC outpost

Published: 23 June, 2025

Berry Bros & Rudd has appointed Jamie Ritchie (pictured) as MD of international & auctions, with responsibility for leading its business in the US and Asia. He will join the company in August this year and will be based in Washington DC, where the company opened its first US store in June.

April drop in hospitality insolvencies though warning signs remain

Published: 23 June, 2025

Fresh data from the UK Government’s company insolvency statistics can reveal that insolvencies in the accommodation and food services sector were down 12% year on year for April, with 275 going bust during the month.

Heritage Wines seeks additional businesses as its Milestone portfolio grows

Published: 23 June, 2025

Announcing the first of several new producers to join the Milestone Wines portfolio, Miles Corish MW, owner of parent company Heritage Wines, has also said he is looking to add new companies under the Heritage banner.

UKH: Industrial Strategy a missed opportunity to support hospitality

Published: 23 June, 2025

The government’s announcement of its new Industrial Strategy has been met with frustration from figures inside the hospitality trade. UKHospitality has noted that the sector is among the industries not included in the Strategy’s energy bill reduction plan.

New appointments at Alliance as Wareing steps up as head of buying

Published: 23 June, 2025

Alliance Wine has bolstered its brand, marketing and fine wine teams with the appointment of Jean Wareing MW (pictured) as head of buying, brand & technical, while also creating three additional new roles.

Free Champagne training announced

Published: 20 June, 2025

The Comité Champagne has launched a free training and certification platform for wine professionals and enthusiasts, replacing the Champagne MOOC (massive open online course), which trained more than 35,000 learners worldwide.

Rioja celebrates centenary

Published: 20 June, 2025

Rioja Wine UK is holding a two-day 100 Years of Rioja Festival on 19 - 20 July at Hackney Bridge, East London, as part of its celebration of the centenary of the region gaining Denominación de Origen (DO) status in 1925.

English Wine Week returns with packed 2025 campaign

Published: 20 June, 2025

The annual English Wine Week celebration of homegrown still and sparkling wine is back from 21-29 June with its busiest roster of consumer-facing events to date.

€15m EU funding to boost inclusive growth in South African wine

Published: 20 June, 2025

EU funding of €15m is to help South Africa Wine drive inclusive growth, unlock business opportunities and support the development of black-owned brands, farms, education and enterprises.

World Class GB 2025 crown for Connaught’s Emanuele Mensah

Published: 20 June, 2025

After a final spanning multiple rounds across three days in Scotland, the top spot in this year’s World Class GB competition has gone to Emanuele Mensah of The Connaught Bar in London, who will go on to represent Great Britain in the World Class global finals in Toronto in September.

Sommelier Wine Awards 2025 results

Published: 20 June, 2025

The results are in for this year’s Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) competition with 2025’s crop of entries throwing up a healthy tally of medals, pointing to both the quality and diversity of wines available to the UK on-trade. And once again, in terms of overall wines entered and medals won, the major European producing countries lead the pack. Notable standouts too, though, are Australia, noted for its strong medal haul, and sparkling wines, including the English contingent, which also did very well.

WSET updates Level 3 Award

Published: 18 June, 2025

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has launched an updated version of its most advanced Level 3 Award in Spirits qualification, coinciding with more than 100,000 students worldwide having now taken a WSET Spirits course since it began in 2003.

Climate action funding extended for South Downs vineyards

Published: 18 June, 2025

Climate action grants are already benefiting seven vineyards in and around the South Downs and, as English Wine Week approaches (21-29 June), extra funding is being made available to help others get involved in climate action.

Pearse Lyons Distillery expands reach

Published: 18 June, 2025

Dublin-based family-owned Pearse Lyons Distillery has announced a major expansion into the UK through a strategic partnership with JBE Imports, officially debuting at this year’s Bar Convent London (BCB London), taking place 30 June-1 July.

Birmingham nightlife closures spark fears of troubling trend

Published: 17 June, 2025

Birmingham’s nightlife scene is set to see several high profile venues close their doors in the space of one month in an ominous trend for the UK’s second city.

Maison Ruinart’s Frédéric Panaïotis passes away

Published: 17 June, 2025

Maison Ruinart’s cellar master Frédéric Panaïotis passed away on 15 June, aged just 60.

Bancroft Wines adds Castellare di Castellina to portfolio

Published: 16 June, 2025

Italy’s Castellare di Castellina and its sister property Feudi del Pisciotto, of Sicily, have joined the Bancroft Wines portfolio.

Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino honours three industry heavyweights

Published: 16 June, 2025

The 40th anniversary of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino saw three new members added to the historic group in honour of their promotion of wines from Spain in the UK trade.

González Byass joins Harpers Sustainability Charter

Published: 16 June, 2025

González Byass UK is the latest signatory to the Harpers Sustainability Charter, which is building a network of sustainably minded businesses and is a reference for companies looking to work with sustainable partners.