News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

SWA calls for zero tariffs on whisky making materials

Published: 29 June, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called for zero tariffs on imports of whisky making materials in the Brexit negotiations.

Australia’s signature grapes remain the key to premium uplift

Published: 29 June, 2018

Australia’s big hitting varieties are back in business, once again driving growth in the UK’s leading wine category and should remain the core focus to maximise margin and premium sales potential.

“Short-sighted” Bordeaux En Primeur strategies leave little to no value for the trade

Published: 29 June, 2018

A “lack of wines priced attractively” has been blamed for a less than successful 2017 Bordeaux campaign.

Beaujolais moves towards becoming part of a united Great Burgundy

Published: 28 June, 2018

Times are a changing for Beaujolais as it moves towards becoming part of the united wine region of Grande Bourgogne - Great Burgundy

Chapel Down’s brewery arm enters the on-trade with new brew

Published: 28 June, 2018

Curious Brewery, owned by English winemaker Chapel Down, has added a second edition to its Curiouser & Curiouser portfolio – the first of its brews that will be available in the on-trade.

Soave gears up for tighter production regulations as it elects new board

Published: 28 June, 2018

A new president and governing board has been elected for the Consorzio of Soave at a time of “major change” for the denomination.

Two restaurants closing a week, but UK dining scene shows reverse North-South divide

Published: 28 June, 2018

The number of licenced restaurant in the UK has fallen by -1.3% in the twelve months to March 2018, with the total number dining outlets also falling by 0.4%, according to the recent Market Growth Monitor report from CGA.

Women of the Vine & Spirits partners with Wine Intelligence to launch ‘gender and wine’ report

Published: 28 June, 2018

Women of the Vine & Spirits - a US organisation at the forefront of promoting gender parity in the industry, has joined forces with Wine Intelligence to produce a 'gender and global wine consumption' report.

The rise of Irish whiskey as EU whiskey

Published: 27 June, 2018

It may be unsurprising that Selfridges is launching its first Irish food and drink show this August. With a fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth Irish whiskey is now the world’s fastest growing spirit according to the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA).

Bibendum opens doors on new wine academy scheme

Published: 27 June, 2018

Drinks merchant Bibendum has kicked off a new academy scheme to give newcomers to the industry the chance to gain hands on experience in the wine trade.

Brexit pushed Californian wine price up by a fifth

Published: 27 June, 2018

The average price of Californian wine imported to the European Union surged by nearly a fifth in the year of the Brexit vote, analysis by Harpers reveals.

XECO Wines appoints Tortuga Brands as UK distributor

Published: 27 June, 2018

Newly formed sherry brand XECO Wines has appointed Tortuga Brands as its exclusive UK distributor with sole responsibility for its sales and marketing.

Greek whites vie for Assyrtiko's crown

Published: 26 June, 2018

Malagousia, Vidiano, Kidonitsa, Savatiano and Moscofilero may be unfamiliar names to everyone but Greek wine adventurists.

English winemakers experiment with Charmat method

Published: 26 June, 2018

A number of English winemakers are breaking with convention to produce fizz made using a method more often associated with Prosecco.

Occitanie rosé in the pink as UK market dries up

Published: 26 June, 2018

Sales of rosé wines from the South of France are in the pink despite rosé’s waning popularity across Britain, according to wine producers from the Occitanie region.

Cutty Sark set for sale as owner Edrington reports 7% growth

Published: 25 June, 2018

Famous Grouse, Macallan and Highland Park owner Edrington has reported a 7% uplift in sales despite ongoing challenges in the blended Scotch market.

Bancroft turns to Delicato for latest Cali partnership

Published: 25 June, 2018

Bancroft Wines is ramping up its distribution of Californian wines via a new partnership with Delicato Family Vineyards' – the seventh largest exporter of wines from the Golden State.

Kiwi winegrowers predict ‘modest’ export growth in spite of good harvest

Published: 25 June, 2018

New Zealand winegrowers are predicting only modest export growth for the coming year in spite of a 6% surge in grape production.

Bisol puts the spotlight on top tier Prosecco

Published: 22 June, 2018

Leading Italian producer Bisol has announced a portfolio overhaul to enforce its position as the “benchmark” for Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene DOCG – one of the two main DOCGs for Prosecco.

E-commerce to represent 7.2% of FMCG retail by 2020

Published: 22 June, 2018

Retailers are being urged to adapt their strategies around the “evolution of channels” in light of research which showed that in 2017, 76% of fast-moving consumer goods’ (FMCG) value growth came from channels outside traditional supermarkets.