News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Asda cuts wine range by 8% but adds new range of lesser known varietals among 200 new lines

Published: 13 May, 2015

Asda has overhauled its entire wine range, cutting its total range by around 8% in order to rationalise the offer and accommodate more than 200 new products.

Sud de France Top 100 awards to be hosted at the LWF

Published: 13 May, 2015

Sud de France trophies and awards will be presented by the Top 100 chairman Tim Atkin MW on Monday at the London Wine Fair at the Sud De France stand P50/1.

Breaking News: Elizabeth Newman to replace Andy Phelps as head of BWS at Sainsbury's

Published: 13 May, 2015

Sainsbury's has announced Elizabeth Newman will replace Andy Phelps as its head of BWS, according to Harpers' sister magazine Off Licence News

Portugal is the most underrated wine country, according to exclusive Harpers poll

Published: 13 May, 2015

Last month harpers.co.uk conducted an exclusive survey to find the most overrated and underrated wine producing regions in world and the results revealed that Portugal was the most underrated, while Bordeaux was voted the most overrated.

WSTA members angered by lack of support and other "freeloading" businesses in the trade

Published: 13 May, 2015

The WSTA has called for more drinks businesses to take up membership and support the trade organisation as some members that have been contributing to the body feel that other business in the trade are "freeloading."

Cava needs to better communicate quality, trade body claims

Published: 12 May, 2015

Cava needs to better communicate its quality credentials, the head of the Cava trade body has claimed.

California wines performance in UK strongest its been in 20 years

Published: 12 May, 2015

At yesterday's fifth annual Golden State tasting, California producers heard from John McLaren, the UK director of the Wine Institute of California, that the category has not been in better position in the past 20 years.

English wine producers celebrate improved quality at English Wine Producers tasting

Published: 12 May, 2015

English wine producers were celebrating the growing quality of English wines, at the English Wine Producers annual tasting in London yesterday, on the back of a record breaking 2014 harvest.

Greene King's takeover of Spirit Pub Co investigated by competition commission

Published: 12 May, 2015

The Competition commission is looking into Greene King's proposed takeover of The Spirit Pub Company.

Bumper 2014 harvest boosts English wine production by 42%

Published: 12 May, 2015

English Wine enjoyed a bumper harvest last year, which has helped push production by 42% to around 6.3m bottles.

Symington Family Estate release rare 2013 estate ports

Published: 11 May, 2015

Port family, Family Estates is releasing two limited edition rare vintage 2013 estate ports.

Yalumba launches marketing boost

Published: 11 May, 2015

Australia's oldest family vineyard, Yalumba, is launching a new marketing boost which will see it partner with local independent wine merchants to offer consumers the chance to attend pop up food events.

Top ten things to know about the Majestic and Naked Wines merger

Published: 11 May, 2015

Last month following the announcement that Naked Wines was to be acquired by Majestic Plc for £70m, harpers.co.uk had an opportunity to talk with both Eamon Fitzgerald, the managing director of Naked Wines and the new chief executive officer, Rowan Gormley of Majestic Plc about what the merger would mean for their businesses.

Convivality Retail reports "solid year" as revenues rise on back of investments

Published: 11 May, 2015

Conviviality Retail, the owners of Wine Rack and Bargain Booze, said it was on track for a 'solid' year following investment and expansion of the business.

Dom Pérignon to start exclusive tasting tours next month

Published: 11 May, 2015

Champagne house Dom Pérignon is opening its vineyards and cellar to allow tours for the first time next month - for €600 a pop.

UK vineyards 'missing out' on tax benefits introduced in the Budget

Published: 11 May, 2015

UK vineyards are missing out on tax benefits that are available to farmers, market gardeners and hop growers, Harpers has learned.

General election: Stability good for the industry, WSTA claims

Published: 08 May, 2015

Following the political upheaval of the last 24 hours, the drinks industry has reacted to the news that David Cameron is returning to Number Ten with an increased majority.