News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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).

Alliance to host combined Burgundy and Rhône en primeur tasting

Published: 18 December, 2025

Wine importer Alliance Wine are set to host a combined en primeur tasting of Burgundy and Rhône fine wines this January.

Memorial service announced for trade stalwart Charles Hawkins

Published: 18 December, 2025

Charles Hawkins, who was a well-known figure to many in the wine trade for over 50 years, passed away peacefully last week on 10 December.

North South Wines partners with Burgundy producer Jean Bouchard

Published: 17 December, 2025

UK B Corp wine distributor North South Wines has for the first time expanded into Burgundy, bringing Jean Bouchard (part of the Albert Bichot family) into its portfolio.

Catena Institute of Wine launches low & no range

Published: 17 December, 2025

The Catena Institute of Wine – the research organisation founded by Dr Laura Catena – has unveiled a new low & no alcohol range, Domaine EdeM (Elena de Mendoza). The Institute’s “science-led” approach has seen them develop four fresh SKUs.

JP Chenet reveals sustainably-focused redesign

Published: 17 December, 2025

French family-owned wine producer JP Chenet has announced a redesign of its bottle for 2026, introducing a more modern visual identity for the brand with a focus on sustainability and practicality.

Beefeater master distiller emeritus Desmond Payne announces retirement

Published: 17 December, 2025

Gin producer Beefeater has today officially announced the retirement of its master distiller emeritus Desmond Payne MBE, after a career in the gin industry spanning almost 60 years.

Champagne Cattier launch: Premium on-trade ambitions for independent house

Published: 16 December, 2025

At Mayfair’s glitzy new Lilibet’s restaurant export director at Champagne Cattier, François Colas (pictured, centre) guided attendees through the producer’s range as well as its ambitions for the UK market, following its recent on-trade partnership with Enotria.

Bibendum and Matthew Clark unveil their 2026 on-trade predictions

Published: 15 December, 2025

Drinks distributors Bibendum and Matthew Clark (both under the C&C Group umbrella) have unveiled their 2026 predictions for the on-trade – both in terms of overall and wine-specific trends.

Reminder: Sommelier Wine Awards 2026 open for entries

Published: 15 December, 2025

With the on-trade now in full swing over the lead up to what we hope is a fruitful Christmas, a reminder that the Sommelier Wine Awards (SWA) 2026 is open for entries.

Liv-ex: Bordeaux signals signs of recovery for fine wine

Published: 15 December, 2025

Fine wine trading platform Liv-ex has revealed its December market report, with its major indices pointing towards a tentative recovery for the top end of the wine market.

UK Hospitality Scotland calls for action on rates

Published: 15 December, 2025

Trade body UK Hospitality Scotland has revealed new analysis, suggesting that the Scottish hospitality sector is on course for a £69m business rates hit in 2026/2027 without action from the Scottish Government in its January Budget.