News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

50 Best Indies 2026 ranking: 29-21 revealed

Published: 07 January, 2026

This week marks the release of our 50 Best Indies 2026 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.

Hallgarten begins year with two Italian portfolio additions

Published: 07 January, 2026

Wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has bolstered its Italian portfolio by adding both Chianti Classico and Piedmont producers – Querciabella and Elio Grasso, respectively.

Plumpton College pledges £500,000 to support English wine industry

Published: 06 January, 2026

The UK’s longest established wine education provider, Plumpton College, has pledged £500,000 in fully funded training to support the English wine industry and mark its centenary year.

LBW Drinks announces new MD

Published: 06 January, 2026

LBW Drinks, the premium producer of English wines, meads, fruit wines and spirits under the Lime Bay Wine banner, has appointed Wolfgang Sieg-Hogg as MD.

50 Best Indies 2026 ranking: 40-30 revealed

Published: 06 January, 2026

This week marks the release of our 50 Best Indies 2026 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.

New YouGov survey shows continuing demand for low & no

Published: 06 January, 2026

According to The Portman Group's eighth annual survey in partnership with YouGov, 36% of UK adults who drink alcohol regularly or occasionally, consume low & no alcohol products.

Vinexposium reveals V d’Or nominees

Published: 05 January, 2026

Wine Paris organiser Vinexposium has revealed its list of nominees for the third edition of the V d’Or.

50 Best Indies 2026 ranking: 50-41 revealed

Published: 05 January, 2026

This week marks the release of our 50 Best Indies 2026 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.

New commercial director to drive Society of Vintners growth

Published: 05 January, 2026

The Society of Vintners has hit the ground running in 2026, with the appointment of Claire Greenwood (pictured) as its first commercial director as of 5 January.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Published: 23 December, 2025

With 2025 just about laid to rest, Christmas upon us and 2026 fast looming into view, the Harpers team is signing off for the year to indulge in some well-deserved R&R, and certainly a glass or two (or more) to oil the festive spirit.

When in Rome acquired by North South Wines

Published: 22 December, 2025

UK-based wine distributor North South Wines has announced the acquisition of the When in Rome wine brand, marking a significant addition to its range of sustainable and alternative wine brands.

LWC funds over 500 customer WSET wine courses in 2025

Published: 22 December, 2025

Independent drinks distributor LWC has revealed that during 2025 it funded 526 trade customer WSET wine courses.

WineCap reveals best-performing Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne wines of 2025

Published: 22 December, 2025

Wine investment platform WineCap has rounded off the year by revealing the best performing wines from the three most important wine regions globally (in terms of demand) – Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne.

Pisco ramps up UK focus with cocktail push

Published: 22 December, 2025

Peru’s pisco producers have been dipping their collective toes in the UK market for some time, with embassy-backed London tastings attracting small but growing numbers from the trade. At the latest event, though, at the In & Out Club this December, there was a new focus as to the possibilities for pisco – and especially the premium propositions – to grow as an exciting ‘new’ category on back bars and independent merchant shelves in Britain.

Nick Gillett: The spirit of 2026 – a cocktail of contradictions and thirst for value?

Published: 22 December, 2025

Looking back, 2025 was another stinker of a year for the spirits and hospitality industries; a rollercoaster ride punctuated by a bad business environment, consumers having less disposable income, and venues closing their doors at an unprecedented rate. With that out the way, it’s time to look ahead to 2026 – as we thoroughly cheer the fact that 2025 is over and done with. So, with just a dash of optimism and foresight, what will be pouring into our glasses and being enjoyed in-venue next year? I have a few ideas.

Business rates: Hospitality venues to be hit with £32k hike

Published: 20 December, 2025

Fresh analysis from trade body UK Hospitality (UKH) can reveal that over the next three years hospitality venues in England can expect to see an average increase in business rates of over £32k.

Year’s end boost for Armit as Chianti's Fèlsina onboarded

Published: 19 December, 2025

Fine wine importer Armit Wines has unveiled its latest addition to its extensive Italian portfolio, with the addition of Chianti Classico estate Fèlsina.

Friday read: Macedonia’s Balkan stallion and more besides

Published: 19 December, 2025

North Macedonia, sited in the landlocked and southernmost section of the Balkan Peninsula is bisected by the Vardar River and also a territory swept by winds from several directions. The southerly latitude and rugged, relatively denuded landscape of Povardarie, its primary growing region, offer challenges of excess heat, lack of biodiversity and shade. With accelerating climate shifts, combatting hydric stress also requires attention. Thankfully, these conditions help with the historical preference for full-flavoured reds while supporting early harvested versions of aromatic whites.

Wine GB announces ‘vintage of outstanding quality’

Published: 18 December, 2025

UK wine trade association Wine GB has rounded off the year by announcing that the 2025 harvest was a “vintage of outstanding quality”, according to its voluntary annual survey of the sector.

Report: Alcohol struggles while private labels gain momentum

Published: 18 December, 2025

According to a new report from market research firm Circana, private labels now account for 42% of the value of all consumer packaged goods (CPG) sold across what it calls the EU6 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK).