News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Number of UK wine producers reaches record high

Published: 31 October, 2017

The number of wine producers in the UK has jumped by 13% to a record high boosted by the demand for boutique drinks and homegrown products.

Virgin Wines adds boozy crackers and baubles to Christmas menu

Published: 31 October, 2017

Virgin Wines has taken Christmas gifting to a new level beyond the advent calendar with the launch of Prosecco, wine and gin Christmas Crackers and Boozy Baubles.

Naked Wines raises $500,000 for California fire relief

Published: 30 October, 2017

Naked Wines has stepped up to help California’s winemaker communities by raising a bumper sum for those most affected by the recent fires.

‘Public’ says alcohol taxes a cash cow for government

Published: 29 October, 2017

Just one in 10 of the British public believe that increased taxes on alcohol goes towards helping people who misuse alcohol, according to new research by Drinkers’ Voice released today.

Scotch exports value up but volume drops

Published: 29 October, 2017

Scotch Whisky exports increased by 3.4% in the first half of the year to £1.8 billion, according to HMRC figures published today by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Crémant production fizzes in Bordeaux

Published: 27 October, 2017

Europe’s love of bubbles has led to a spike in production of Crémant de Bordeaux, where the number of producers turning their hand to sparkling is believed to have doubled in the past three years.

The week that was

Published: 27 October, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Bolney bolsters sparkling wine menu with new duo

Published: 26 October, 2017

Bolney Wine Estate has bolstered its sparkling wine portfolio with two new varieties as home-grown fizz continues to gain traction.

South Africa braces itself for difficult growing season

Published: 26 October, 2017

South Africa's vignerons are bracing themselves for a potentially difficult growing season, as the Western Cape continues to suffer from a chronic drought.

Litmus Wines expands international trail for Ginking

Published: 26 October, 2017

Litmus Wines has expanded the international reach of its hybrid wine and gin Ginking brand to Switzerland just a year after launch.

Phelps donates $100,000 to Napa and Sonoma relief efforts

Published: 25 October, 2017

Napa winery Joseph Phelps Vineyards has donated $100,000 through its Phelps Foundation to support fire relief efforts in the area following the devastating wildfires.

Three Choirs receives heritage revamp

Published: 25 October, 2017

English wine brand Three Choirs has been given its first makeover in a decade to tap the booming thirst for homegrown tipples with a history.

OIV estimates near 10% drop in global wine production

Published: 25 October, 2017

Global wine production for 2017 has been estimated at 246.7 million hl – an 8.2% drop compared to 2016 and one of the lowest levels for decades, according to the Organisation of Vine & Wine (OIV).

Amazon pulls online wine arm

Published: 24 October, 2017

Amazon has confirmed it is closing down its dedicated online wine arm - Amazon Wine, after just five years.

WSET unveils first tasting app

Published: 24 October, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has launched its first tasting app.

Le Vignoble reveals plans for second outlet

Published: 24 October, 2017

Hybrid wine business Le Vignoble has revealed it is to open its second outlet as part of a growth strategy to reach five stores within the next few years.