News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

English wine continues expansion with new Kent winery

Published: 26 February, 2024

Wine firm Wildshark Vineyard has submitted plans for a new winery, visitor centre and hotel in Maidstone, Kent.

Bibendum & Campari shake on Champagne partnership

Published: 23 February, 2024

Bibendum and Campari have teamed up to give a fresh boost to Champagne Lallier, with the Campari-owned house now joining the on-trade distribution’s portfolio of premium brands.

Frost forecasting project receives government backing

Published: 23 February, 2024

A frost forecasting project for grape vines has secured over £300,000 in funding from Innovate UK and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Friday read: Furmint February in the spotlight

Published: 23 February, 2024

With its endless grey skies and pervading gloom, February doesn’t offer much to raise the spirits, but wine lovers can now at least associate the month with Hungary’s best-known grape. Furmint February was launched here six years ago by Wines of Hungary UK to promote awareness and consumption of the variety once best known for sweet Tokaji (Aszu), but now appearing in elegant dry wines from the variety’s native Tokaj region, with its rich volcanic soil, but increasingly across Hungary, including in Somlo and Eger.

Liberty Report: premium on-trade wine sales still below pre-Covid levels

Published: 23 February, 2024

Wholesaler and importer Liberty Wines has released its premium on-trade report covering the two years following the final Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2021.

Château La Coste partners with Berkmann

Published: 23 February, 2024

Château La Coste, the 200ha Provence wine estate, has teamed up with Berkmann Wine Cellars with the aim of increasing its distribution in the UK.

North South Wines marks 10 years with new agencies

Published: 22 February, 2024

North South Wines will celebrate 10 years of business at its upcoming portfolio tasting, marking a new chapter for the B Corp following a recent office move to Bicester and several new agency appointments.

Sogrape strengthens in Iberia

Published: 22 February, 2024

Sogrape, Portugal’s largest wine company, has increased its Iberian presence with the acquisition of Viña Mayor in Ribera del Duero’s ‘Golden Mile’.

Enotria & Coe launches new spirits portfolio

Published: 21 February, 2024

Leading wine and spirits distributor Enotria & Coe has announced the launch of a new agency spirits portfolio.

Hallgarten Annual Tasting: Singing from the same hymn sheet

Published: 21 February, 2024

In its first annual tasting since the Coterie Holdings takeover, Hallgarten & Novum Wines welcomed well over 1,000 visitors to Lindley Hall, London, to sample the breadth and depth of its portfolio.

Inflation drains Treasury coffers by £600m

Published: 21 February, 2024

Soaring alcohol inflation has made an explosive hole in HMRC’s receipts, new figures reveal.

Bigger tasting for Berkmann at 60

Published: 21 February, 2024

Berkmann Wine Cellars celebrated 60 years of tastings in its biggest venue of recent times at London’s Guildhall yesterday (20 February), where throngs queued out of the door to taste brands like Antinori, California’s Ridge Vineyards and Vega Sicilia.

Inaugural Mondial du Rhum 2024 brings ‘Rhum ecosystem’ to the fore

Published: 20 February, 2024

Mondial du Rhum 2024, which took place 13-15 February in Paris, has declared its first edition a success, attracting 3,000 attendees through the doors, with a strong international spread among the delegates.

Renais gin signs with Proof Drinks

Published: 20 February, 2024

UK gin brand Renais, founded by the actress Emma Watson and her brother Alex, has announced a partnership with British distributor Proof Drinks, with a view to on trade expansion.

30 Under 30: Final call for nominations

Published: 19 February, 2024

Tomorrow’s deadline to nominate yourself or a colleague for Harpers’ 30 Under 30 is almost here.

US vodka leader Tito's eyes UK expansion via Spirit Cartel

Published: 19 February, 2024

Tito’s Handmade Vodka, the largest vodka brand in the US, is officially expanding and formalising its presence in the UK by appointing Spirit Cartel as its exclusive distributor.

Quarter of hospitality businesses run out of cash reserves

Published: 19 February, 2024

A joint survey by UKHospitality, the British Beer and Pub Association, British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster has revealed the cost pressures facing venues compared to 2023.

Sud de France Top 100 re-launches with new website

Published: 19 February, 2024

The 12th edition 2024 Sud de France 100 competition will have a new look when it relaunches in June.

Loire rebrand aims for modernisation

Published: 19 February, 2024

InterLoire has announced the launch of a new collective identity for its wines as part of a move to update the region’s branding.

Tim Atkin MW: The UK trade doesn’t take Rioja seriously enough

Published: 16 February, 2024

Rarely does a trade tasting generate this level of excitement, but, Tim Atkin MW’s Best of Rioja trade and consumer tasting was teeming with life in Westminster this week. By Atkin’s admission, never has such a collection of wines been assembled in the UK from Spain’s flagship region.