News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Norwich Wine Week returns for second year

Published: 05 June, 2024

Norwich Wine Week is set to return this month, offering attendees a chance to sample a diverse array of wines from vineyards across Norfolk and beyond.

The battle to preserve The Oxford Artisan Distillery

Published: 05 June, 2024

The Oxford Artisan Distillery (Toad) has become a cherished local institution since its inception. Known for its handcrafted spirits, the distillery prides itself on using sustainably farmed, heritage grains and traditional distilling methods. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over its future, leading to a campaign to keep Toad in its current location.

Tom Brown’s Michelin-starred restaurant Cornerstone to close amidst wave of high-profile closures

Published: 05 June, 2024

Tom Brown, the chef behind the Michelin-starred restaurant Cornerstone, has announced that his establishment will be closing its doors. The news marks the end of an era for the Hackney-based restaurant, which had garnered widespread acclaim for its innovative seafood dishes and contemporary approach to British cuisine.

Migration policies must address hospitality sector

Published: 04 June, 2024

Ahead of the 4 July general election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to reduce the number of migrants each year under a new Conservative government.

Sussex wine estates launch wine trail ahead of English Wine Week

Published: 04 June, 2024

Twelve prominent wine estates in Sussex have joined forces to establish a new wine trail, set to launch ahead of English Wine Week from 15-23 June.

Enotria adds new Roussillon partnership

Published: 04 June, 2024

Jean-Marc Lafage, the Roussillon-based wine producer, has announced a partnership with leading UK wine importer Enotria & Coe to distribute his Château Saint Roch brand.

The economics of the great British booze market – do we pay to play?

Published: 03 June, 2024

The UK spirits market, to many global producers, is one they want to be part of. It’s not the biggest by any means, nor is it the most fruitful – but there is an air of prestige about it. And yet many independent producers trying to break into the UK market, will struggle or worse, fail miserably. It’s a tough nut to crack but by understanding the nuances of the market, you’ll be better equipped to tackle the challenge – and hopefully reap a bit of great British success.

UK’s most comprehensive Rosé tasting event: Fine Rosé Day

Published: 03 June, 2024

Wine enthusiasts and professionals are in for a treat as Elizabeth Gabay MW and Ben Bernheim present arguably the UK’s most comprehensive rosé tasting event, Fine Rosé Day, on 19 June. The event, set to take place at the 2 Michelin star Trivet restaurant, promises an intriguing exploration of rosé wines.

Majestic partners with Gophr on-demand delivery for 'Summer of Sport'

Published: 03 June, 2024

Majestic has formed a partnership with on-demand courier specialist Gophr to enhance delivery services during the busy summer sports season. The collaboration will provide Majestic’s retail and on-trade customers with same-day deliveries across the UK.

Franco Adami elected president of Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG

Published: 03 June, 2024

The Board of Directors of the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG has elected Franco Adami as its new president. Adami will lead the Italian Consorzio for a three-year term from 2024 to 2026, following his election on 29 May.

Viña Santa Rita appoints Javier Bitar Hirmas as new CEO

Published: 31 May, 2024

Chilean winery Viña Santa Rita has named Javier Bitar Hirmas its new CEO, effective 1 August. This announcement, made by the chairman of the board, Baltazar Sánchez, marks a significant transition in leadership for the company.

Weather drives May grocery sales boost, offering opportunities for off-trade alcohol sector ahead of Euros and Olympics

Published: 31 May, 2024

Weather has overtaken inflation as the primary driver of UK grocery sales growth in May, according to new data from NIQ. Total till sales at UK supermarkets grew by 3.3% for the four weeks ending 18 May 2024. This growth was fueled by shifts between wet and warm weather, which pushed value growth at supermarkets to 5.1%, a two-month high excluding Easter.

Trivet launches Labombe, a new wine bar concept from Jonny Lake and Isa Bal

Published: 31 May, 2024

Trivet, the two Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant in London’s Bermondsey, has launched Labombe Wine Bar. This new concept sees its dedicated bar open on Monday evenings under a new guise, offering a by-the-glass wine selection curated by sommelier Isa Bal, plus a blackboard menu of bar bites from chef Jonny Lake.

Yapp hops county for new home

Published: 31 May, 2024

Yapp Brothers is to leave it’s Wiltshire HQ this month for new premises in Somerset, marking a milestone in the company’s 55-year history,

Visitor Levy in Scotland delayed until 2026 at the earliest

Published: 30 May, 2024

The Visitor Levy Bill, passed on Tuesday (28 June) by the Scottish Parliament, concludes a decade-long debate on whether councils should have the authority to introduce a visitor levy or tourist tax. The Bill empowers councils to consider and potentially implement such a levy, although it won't come into effect until 2026 at the earliest.

2024 Sud de France Top 100 tasting to showcase best Occitanie wines

Published: 30 May, 2024

The 2024 Top 100 Sud de France tasting event is set to showcase the finest wines from Languedoc, Roussillon and the South-West on 12 June in London. For the first time, attendees will experience a self-pour tasting format, allowing visitors to explore the Top 100 wines at their own pace.

Australian Vintage seeks emergency capital raise as Accolade deal falls through

Published: 29 May, 2024

The crisis in the Australian wine industry has deepened now that buyout negotiations between Australian Vintage and its larger rival Accolades Wines have collapsed. The former has requested a suspension of its shares on the Australian stock exchange as it grapples with a grape glut and mounting debt.

WSTA seeks independent retailers’ views on ending wine duty easement

Published: 29 May, 2024

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on independent retailers to participate in a brief survey regarding the scheduled end of the temporary wine duty easement next February. This measure, introduced in August 2023 as part of the government's alcohol duty review, allows wines with an alcohol content between 11.5% and 14.5% abv to be taxed at a standardised rate of 12.5% abv. Once the easement ends, wines will be taxed based on their actual alcoholic strength.

CTSI report: Nearly half of wine in UK pubs and bars is short-measured

Published: 28 May, 2024

A report released by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has revealed that 70% of beer and wine served in UK pubs and bars is short-measured, resulting in significant financial losses for consumers. The study highlighted that an average beer drinker is losing approximately £88.40 annually, while a wine drinker loses around £114.40 per year due to under-pouring.

Hospitality unites to drive innovation

Published: 28 May, 2024

The question of how to drive growth and invest in hospitality was the question at the heart of a recent session organised by the Hospitality Sector Council and its Innovation Working Group (IWG).