News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Ex-Sopexa UK & Ireland boss Anne Burchett launches new marketing venture

Published: 26 May, 2017

Anne Burchett, a well know figure in the UK wine trade and former managing director of Sopexa UK and Ireland, has launched herself back into the trade with the founding of Burchett Wine & Food Marketing.

The week that was: LWF edition

Published: 26 May, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Mallorca's Wine Boom

Published: 26 May, 2017

A boom in wine in Mallorca has led the island’s producers to seek new export destinations including Britain. A new wave of multi-million euro investments in new vineyards and spectacular contemporary wineries, largely from outside investors, means there is a whole new generation of wine coming onto the market on the Mediterranean Island.

Champagne Jayne victorious against Champagne authority

Published: 26 May, 2017

Wine writer and educator Jayne Powell has won a protracted five-year legal battle to use the moniker “Champagne Jayne” as her official trademark.

LWF’s Ross Carter: The exit interview

Published: 25 May, 2017

Three days of the London Wine Fair (LWF) is quickly drifting into a blur of meetings, conversations, debates and of course, tastings of some truly fabulous wines.

Araex online ambition boosted by top gold medal haul

Published: 25 May, 2017

Spanish wine group Araex Grands has consolidated its position as a leading provider of quality wines with four Grand Golds and 12 Gold medals at the annual Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

Sales almost double at Conviviality

Published: 25 May, 2017

Conviviality, the owner of Bargain Booze, has seen sales nearly double in the past year to pass the £1.5bn mark.

The independent alcohol wholesaler and distributor, which agreed a £60m deal to acquire wine, spirit and beer distributor Bibendum in May last year, said sales were up from £841m to £1.56bn in a trading statement released this morning (52 w/e to 30 April, 2017).

Net debt was £99 million – “comfortably below” Conviviality’s target, it said, adding the positive results were in line with the board’s expectations.

The integration of Bibendum, together with wine wholesaler Matthew Clark which it bought in 2015, was “progressing well”, said chief executive, Diana Hunter.

"Our focus will continue to be on improving the business and ensuring that benefits are realised from our greater scale, as we drive efficiencies for the group and greater service for our customers.”

Conviviality, which re-organised its activities into three business units during the year – Direct, Retail and Trading, reported growth for each, with sales up 6.4%, 6.1% and 1% respectively.

"We have come to the end of an unprecedented year of change and I am pleased to report a strong trading performance for the group and for each of its business units,” said Hunter.

LWF: Craft beer showers forecasted at Morgenrot

Published: 25 May, 2017

The difference in approach between winemakers and craft beer brewers to creating new drinking experiences can be clearer nowhere than at Morgenrot’s stand at this year’s London Wine Fair.

LWF: Exton Park goes small with half-sized bottles

Published: 24 May, 2017

English sparkling wine producer Exton Park showcased its half-sized 37.5ml bottles of sparkling wines at this year's London Wine Fair (LWF).

LWF: Chasing the Premium - Harpers Briefing

Published: 23 May, 2017

‘The trade needs to sell confidence’ was a key message from the panel at LWF during Tuesday’s Harpers debate on how to encourage more premium wine sales and build in greater value across the supply chain.

LWF: English wine producers reveal export focus

Published: 23 May, 2017

Bolney Wine Estate and Lyme Bay Winery are both gearing up to tap the popularity of English fizz abroad, with the former set to make its first move into Scandinavia and the latter poised to ‘significantly’ increase its acres as part of a new export strategy.

LWF: Santa Rita winemaker talks 120 ambitions

Published: 23 May, 2017

Harpers caught up with Santa Rita to discquss the launch of their refreshed 120 brand which is being launched with two new varietals at this year’s London Wine Fair.

LWF Day One: The big Brexit debate

Published: 22 May, 2017

Breaking down the cloud of uncertainty brought about by Brexit into manageable bite-sized pieces was the objective of panelists at this afternoon’s London Wine Fair industry briefing.

Prosecco DOC Consorzio UK office to build on record exports

Published: 22 May, 2017

Following record exports to the UK in 2016, the Prosecco DOC is looking to consolidate its growth in the UK, announcing the appointment of a dedicated press office, as part of a global rollout that has already seen similar support in China, USA and Germany.

LWF: Lanchester Wines reveals ‘boutique’ focus

Published: 22 May, 2017

Day one of the London Wine Fair (LWF) began with NPD from Lanchester Wines as the company revealed a new focus on creating its own boutique brands.

Camel Valley makes history with ‘first growth’ PDO

Published: 22 May, 2017

The European Union has elevated Camel Valley’s ‘Darnibole’ vineyards to the highest level of Protected Designated Origin (PDO), making it the first and currently only UK single vineyard to be awarded this accolade.

Halewood presents 'unique' tonics alternative

Published: 22 May, 2017

Halewood Wines & Spirits is hoping to shake up the premium mixer category with a range of flavoured tonic waters.

How do we maintain quality as English sparkling grows?

Published: 19 May, 2017

The biggest recent headline for English sparkling wine (ESW) so far in 2017 has been the prediction that one million vines are going to be planted between the start and the end of the year.