News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Symington Family releases 2022 Capela do Vesúvio Vintage Port

Published: 22 April, 2024

The Symington family has introduced the 2022 Capela do Vesúvio Vintage Port, marking only the fifth vintage of the micro-terroir wine.

Campari Group expands Aperol production capacity

Published: 22 April, 2024

Campari Group is set to double the production capacity of Aperol by expanding its Novi Ligure Plant, the group’s largest production hub globally.

Incipio unveils F&B plans for Olympia development

Published: 22 April, 2024

Incipio Group, known for The Libertine, The Prince, and Pergola on the Wharf, has unveiled plans to introduce an elevated food and beverage (F&B) offering to the new Olympia development in West London. The venue, famous for hosting trade shows like the London Wine Fair, will soon showcase several premium dining and drinking experiences.

Demographic shifts propel stout resurgence

Published: 22 April, 2024

In a dynamic market landscape marked by shifting consumer preferences, the stout category is experiencing a notable resurgence, driven by changing demographics. Guinness is chief among the brands leading this charge, as highlighted in Diageo’s recent six-month performance update ending December 2023.

The CEE Wine Fair premieres in London

Published: 19 April, 2024

The Ultimate Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) Wine Fair is set to debut in London on Tuesday, 18 June 2024, offering UK trade and press an opportunity to explore the diverse wine scene in Central and Eastern Europe.

Denbies makes history as first ‘Net Zero’ UK vineyard

Published: 19 April, 2024

Denbies Wine Estate has made headlines by becoming the first vineyard and winery in the UK to attain Net Zero status according to the UK Carbon Code of Conduct standard (UKCCC). The distinction now places Denbies among a select few wine producers worldwide to achieve Net Zero in wine production.

Government launches £1.5m Future Winemakers’ Scheme to boost UK wine industry

Published: 19 April, 2024

The British government has unveiled a new initiative, the Future Winemakers’ Scheme, aimed at bolstering training opportunities within the domestic wine industry. The scheme is designed to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce to support the burgeoning British wine sector.

Friday read: France embraces dealcoholisation of IGP wines

Published: 19 April, 2024

Set against the march of low & no, Jacopo Mazzeo reports on the first EU member state to approve a low abv threshold, with predictions of a ready uptake.

CLASS Bar Awards 2024 celebrates excellence in UK bar scene

Published: 18 April, 2024

CLASS magazine unveiled the winners of its CLASS Bar Awards 2024 during an event held at Battersea Arts Centre in London on Tuesday. Established in 2003, the CLASS Bar Awards is the longest-running celebration of the UK's bar industry.

UK inflation decline prompts interest rate uncertainty

Published: 18 April, 2024

UK inflation slowed less than expected last month, despite the rate of price increases falling below that of the US for the first time in two years.

Hospitality groups enjoy 5.2% growth in March

Published: 18 April, 2024

In March 2024, Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved above-inflation like-for-like sales growth of 5.2%, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker.

WineCap Q1 2024 Report: A summary

Published: 18 April, 2024

Wine investment firm WineCap has released its Q1 2024 Fine Wine Report offering a comprehensive market overview.

Brits marry on English fizz but divorce on Champagne, finds Aldi

Published: 18 April, 2024

Much is written about the wine purchasing habits of Brits, but less so about the occasions with which they match certain styles of wines. However, a new survey, commissioned by Aldi and conducted by Prospectus Global, has thrown up some intriguing insights into which wines are paired with what life events by UK wine drinkers. The aim, said Aldi, was to help customers to navigate the wine aisle with a different approach beyond food pairing.

‘Rare gems’ on show at Keeling Andrew tasting

Published: 17 April, 2024

Keeling Andrew’s trendy portfolio attracted a suitably young and vibrant crowd at its tasting in Holborn yesterday (16 April), where the business took the opportunity to highlight some of its under-the-radar producers while honing in on specialisms in Burgundy and Champagne.

Cat Lomax joins Goedhuis Waddesdon

Published: 17 April, 2024

Goedhuis Waddesdon has announced the appointment of Cat Lomax as head of buying.

Winners of inaugural Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards revealed

Published: 17 April, 2024

Luxury hotel group Wynn recently hosted the inaugural Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, in collaboration with the Macao government tourism office. The event hailed as “the world’s largest competition of Chinese wines of international standard,” attracted over 750 submissions from nearly 200 Chinese wineries.

Des Gunewardena introduces Engel and Jang

Published: 17 April, 2024

Des Gunewardena, co-founder and former chief executive of D&D London, has unveiled the forthcoming launch of Engel and Jang, set to debut at the London Royal Exchange in June 2024. This venture marks the inaugural project from Gunewardena's newly established hospitality entity, D3 Collective.

Humble Grape’s vision for expansion

Published: 17 April, 2024

As the UK’s hospitality sector grapples with a wave of closures, Humble Grape’s Fleet Street bar played host to its spring portfolio tasting, offering a glimpse into the brand’s ambitious plans for growth and expansion.

Accolade urges growers to accept buyout offer

Published: 16 April, 2024

Accolade Wines, Australia’s second-largest producer, has offered to buyout grape supply contracts to combat oversupply in the Riverland region.

The Wine Society launches ‘world first Austrian en primeur’ campaign

Published: 15 April, 2024

Following its first in-bond offer of Austrian wine in 2020 consisting of two Schloss Gobelsburg wines, The Wine Society has launched a ‘world first, en primeur campaign’ with five Kamptal and Kremstal producers and 14 wines.