News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Portman Group releases label guidance for ‘Alcohol Alternatives’

Published: 17 January, 2024

Alcohol labelling regulators, The Portman Group, has released new guidance for ‘Alcohol Alternative’ products, defined as 0.5% abv or below.

All change for Gusbourne as it announces CEO

Published: 17 January, 2024

Leading sparkling and fine wine producer Gusbourne has today announced it has a new CEO, with former marketing director Jonathan White stepping up following a ‘rigorous internal and external search process’.

D&M achieves record Christmas sales

Published: 17 January, 2024

Drake and Morgan, operator of 17 premium bars and restaurants in London and Manchester, has announced record festive trading with like-for-like sales up 31.7% against the same period in 2022 (4 weeks to 31 December 2023).

Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos obtains SWfCP certificate

Published: 17 January, 2024

Entrecanales Domecq e Hijos has gained ‘Sustainable Wineries for Climate Protection’ (SWfCP) certification from the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV) for its wineries Cosme Palacio, in DOCa Rioja, and Caserío de Dueñas, in DO Rueda.

Berkmann to train 20,000 hospitality professionals

Published: 16 January, 2024

Leading UK wine distributor Berkmann Wine Cellars has re-launched Veraison, a training programme designed to futureproof wine culture in the on-trade hospitality sector.

Abrie Beeslaar to step down from Kanonkop

Published: 16 January, 2024

Abrie Beeslaar, three-time IWSC International Winemaker of the Year, will leave the iconic Cape estate Kanonkop, in August this year.

New Generation Wines adds Barossa’s Elderton

Published: 16 January, 2024

New Generation Wines (New Gen), an importer and wholesaler specialising in independent and family-owned wineries, has announced it will exclusively distribute Elderton wines in the UK, its first wine from Australia.

Scotch contributes £7bn to UK economy

Published: 16 January, 2024

The Scotch Whisky industry contributes more than £7bn to the UK economy, a report has found.

Give and take at annual Vintners-hosted Drinks Trust event

Published: 15 January, 2024

The drinks trade burst back into life this week as over 150 illustrious guests gathered at Vintners’ Hall for a wine trade lunch on behalf of The Drinks Trust.

2023 Champagne shipments down 8.2%, 'as expected'

Published: 15 January, 2024

Le Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVC), the organisation grouping the actors of Champagne production and trade, has revealed that total Champagne shipments in 2023 were down 8.2% to 299m bottles.

Anne McHale MW launches free WSET Diploma prep

Published: 15 January, 2024

Anne McHale MW has begun a series of free online masterclasses/live Q&A sessions which will run throughout January and February to help WSET Diploma students prepare for the upcoming D3, D4 and D5 exams, which are taking place in May and June 2024.

UK drinks SMEs outperform other sectors

Published: 15 January, 2024

Small and medium-sized UK beverage manufacturers are performing favourably when compared to other sectors, a new report has found.

Nick Gillett: Education, education, education – hospitality’s secret weapon

Published: 15 January, 2024

When it comes to the spirits and hospitality industries, I harp on about education a lot. But with good reason. That dinner you had out the other week with the outstanding service – it’s thanks to education. Receiving a top new tipple recommendation from your local bartender – education. Formal training, cocktail masterclasses, category insight – it’s all helping to create better teams, better serves and ultimately an altogether better experience for the customer. So as someone who works for or is interested in the industry, here’s why you should care about it.

Government consumes 1,400 bottles of wines and spirits between 2020-22

Published: 12 January, 2024

The UK government wine cellar has belatedly released its bi-annual report, revealing that 1,433 bottles of wine and spirits stock were consumed between 2020-2022, when the nation was subject to on-again, off-again Covid restrictions.

Spain’s wine harvest falls by 14%

Published: 12 January, 2024

Following initial estimates from the European Commission in October 2023, Food and Wines from Spain (FWS) has revealed the country’s 2023 production to be 34m hl, around 14% less than in 2022.

50 Best Indies 2024 ranking: Top 10 revealed

Published: 12 January, 2024

Today we conclude the rollout of our 50 Best Indies 2024 results with a recording of the live unveiling of our Top 10 indie merchants, who joined us at Wild by Tart in London, unveiling the best in the business in the UK.

BWS Christmas sales down for UK multiples

Published: 11 January, 2024

Despite record spend on groceries during Christmas in UK supermarkets, sales of beer, wine and spirits were all in decline over the same period.

New MD for Fells

Published: 11 January, 2024

Leading Port and wine distributor Fells has announced strategic changes to the top roles in its leadership team, with Euan Mackay taking on the mantle of MD and Steve Moody transitioning to chairman.

WineCap cautiously optimistic for 2024

Published: 11 January, 2024

Following news that the Liv-ex Fine Wine 100 Index ended 2023 down 14.1%, WineCap has outlined its expectations for the year ahead, amid a ‘correction phase’ which might present opportunities for investors.