News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Easter weekend Hospitality bookings up 40%

Published: 28 March, 2024

The latest insight from hospitality technology partner Zonal reveals bookings for Easter weekend are up 40% compared to 2023.

Ticket sales surge for Whisky Exchange in-person events

Published: 28 March, 2024

The Whisky Exchange has revealed a surge in consumer interest towards immersive, educational experiences within the world of wine and spirits.

Australia welcomes removal of Chinese wine tariffs

Published: 28 March, 2024

The Chinese Commerce Ministry has confirmed that China will end three years of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Australian wine from March 29.

Inside Berry Bros. & Rudd's new Spirits Shop

Published: 28 March, 2024

After over one hundred years of being a wine-front merchant, a spirits fascia bearing the name Berry Bros. & Rudd (BBR) is days away from opening to the public on the hallowed pavements of St James’.

London Wine Fair to host ‘Judgement of Paris’ inspired tasting

Published: 27 March, 2024

London Wine Fair (LWF) will host a homage to the late Steven Spurrier’s (pictured) landmark ‘Judgment of Paris’ blind tasting in 1976, which saw Burgundy and Bordeaux pitched against California, with the latter comparing favourably to the former, sending shockwaves around the wine world.

Trade bodies unite for diversity and inclusion programme

Published: 27 March, 2024

The Drinks Trust, the WSET and the WSTA, are co-ordinating a drinks industry-wide Equity Diversity & Inclusion programme with the stated aim, ‘to create an inclusive and equitable UK drinks industry where everyone feels welcome, safe and supported’.

Rioja launches education programme for UK sommeliers

Published: 27 March, 2024

Launching for the first time this summer, Rioja Wine UK has opened applications for its Rioja Somm’er School, an educational programme based in Logroño aimed exclusively at UK-based sommeliers and on-trade buyers.

WSTA takes aim at Gareth Davies on duty

Published: 26 March, 2024

The government is using public health arguments as a “thin veneer to maintain market distortions” Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, has said in a rebuttal of the claims made by Gareth Davies at the Westminster Hall debate earlier this month.

Orkney Distillery latest to join whisky boom

Published: 26 March, 2024

The production of single malt Scotch whisky is underway at The Orkney Distillery, marking a new era for the business, best known for its award-winning range of Kirkjuvagr gins.

Italy dominates Old Vine Hero Awards winners

Published: 26 March, 2024

The co-founders of The Old Vine Conference announced the second Old Vine Hero Awards winners yesterday (25 March) via a virtual results webinar, with Italian individuals and organisations dominating the winners list.

Virgin Wines announces 2% revenue increase

Published: 25 March, 2024

Virgin Wines, one of the UK’s largest direct-to-consumer online wine retailers, has today (25 March) announced a 2% revenue growth in the six months ended 29 December 2023 (H1 2024).

Rosebank Distillery back in business after 30 years

Published: 25 March, 2024

Rosebank Distillery, known as the ‘King of the Lowlands’, is set to re-open its doors to the public in June after a three-decade hiatus.

DO Cava announces all-time record sales for 2023

Published: 25 March, 2024

Spanish DO Cava has announced all-time record sales figures for 2023, led by a notable increase in the domestic market.

Round table: Sustaining the trade

Published: 25 March, 2024

Imagine a near future where there is little need for talk of sustainability. This would be coupled with an overarching accreditation that joins the dots for sustainably-minded consumers, with drinks companies naturally taking an holistic view of all aspects of their businesses, aligned with their partners up and down the supply chain. There would, of course, be those left behind, who had failed to embed sustainability in their DNA. But such companies will have become few and far between as the combined power of green consumer purchasing and supply-partner pressure increasingly left such organisations by the wayside, as relics of a bygone era.

Hospitality visits suffer as weekend revellers cut back

Published: 22 March, 2024

Visits to the on-trade are taking a tumble as consumers cut two nights’ worth of out of home eating and drinking down to one, new research reveals.

Lanzarote’s battle to protect tradition

Published: 22 March, 2024

Following the launch of Jable de Tao’s first artisanal wines, Barnaby Eales charts the progress being made to protect the hoyos-grown vine legacy of La Geria, asking if enough is being done to secure their future.

Chivas begins river and waterway preservation project

Published: 22 March, 2024

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky business of Pernod Ricard and maker of global Scotch whisky brands including The Glenlivet and Aberlour, has unveiled a new, long-term programme to preserve some of Scotland’s iconic rivers and waterways.

Majestic ‘exploring’ purchase of Vagabond Wines

Published: 21 March, 2024

The UK’s largest wine retailer, Majestic, has confirmed it is “exploring a deal to purchase all or part of the Vagabond Wines business”.

New Edinburgh bar will offer ‘Scotland’s widest selection of rum’

Published: 21 March, 2024

Opening its doors in Edinburgh next week, Ruma (Scots Gaelic for Rum), will offer Scotland a wider selection of rum than ever before.

The 0% vintage fizz selling for over £100

Published: 20 March, 2024

A new premium blanc de blancs vintage wine retailing in excess of £100 is about to hit the shelves, with a one-month exclusivity agreement with Harrods now in place. So what’s different about this particular premium fizz, with its luxe marketing strategy and hefty price tag? It’s completely alcohol-free.