News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Friday read: Why are non-alcoholic brands so obsessed with…alcohol?

Published: 03 February, 2023

Nazy Farkondeh, senior writer at verbal branding agency Reed Words, on why low & no brands should stop focusing on what they’re not.

First ever ‘French Champions’ awarded at VIN

Published: 02 February, 2023

The first-ever edition of The French Champion Awards took place at VIN, the flagship trade tasting dedicated to French wines in London organised by Business France, the French governmental trade agency.

SITT announces strongest lineup of exhibitors yet

Published: 02 February, 2023

The Specialist Importers’ Trade Tasting (SITT) returns this spring, with a dedicated focus on the independent sector.

Bordeaux Wines Forum: "There are no more climate-sceptics"

Published: 02 February, 2023

Last week, Bordeaux’s Palais des Congrès hosted the 2023 edition of the Sustainable Development of Bordeaux Wines Forum.

Premium English sparkling wine producer, Gusbourne, reports significant sales growth in 2022

Published: 01 February, 2023

Gusbourne, the Kent and West Sussex-based premium sparkling wine producer, has reported significant sales increases in its unaudited trading update for the 12 months to 31 December 2022.

Jascots expands New Zealand portfolio with Prophet’s Rock

Published: 01 February, 2023

Jascots Wine Merchants has added New Zealand producer Prophet’s Rock to its expanding portfolio.

Scotland on-trade facing ‘tidal wave’ of challenges, says SLTA

Published: 31 January, 2023

Scotland’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels face an unprecedented cocktail of challenges, according to the most recent Scottish Licenced Trade Association (SLTA) survey.

Be Inclusive Hospitality launches 2023 race equity survey

Published: 31 January, 2023

Be Inclusive Hospitality is inviting trade responses to its third Inside Hospitality survey, which aims to build upon the findings of past years.

Musar turns to Fells for UK distribution

Published: 31 January, 2023

Lebanese producer Chateau Musar is to join the John E. Fells & Sons portfolio, adding to the roll call of leading family estates the importer represents in the UK.

Sparkling resilient as alcohol sales decline across Europe

Published: 30 January, 2023

A new study undertaken by analyst firm IRI paints a troubling picture for the European beverage industry, albeit there are some encouraging signs that certain categories are 'recessionary resilient'.

Wine Paris partners with World’s Best Sommelier Competition

Published: 30 January, 2023

The upcoming Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris exhibition will showcase a number of landmark events involving award-winning sommeliers, including Chef & Sommelier Duos and the Battle of the Female Sommeliers.

Chronic staff shortages accelerate unprecedented hospitality wage inflation

Published: 30 January, 2023

Average wages for hospitality workers have risen 53% over the past 10 years, according to a new study released by charted accountancy firm Hazlewoods.

Finding the ‘perfect’ English sparkling wine glass

Published: 30 January, 2023

Designing the best glass with which to serve a particular style of wine has long been the mission for the Riedel family, which has built a glass-blowing empire out of pinpointing the precise dimensions for higher end drinks receptacles. And having a bespoke vessel to deliver the best expression of your wine arguably suggests you have ‘arrived’, confirming a seat at the top table. A position English sparkling wine took a step closer to last week.

Burgundy 2021: A car crash waiting to happen?

Published: 27 January, 2023

Burgundy 2021 is what happens when you invest in an agricultural product that is dependent on environmental circumstances outside of the control of growers, merchants and buyers alike.

Exclusive: Justerini & Brooks joins forces with Raúl Pérez

Published: 27 January, 2023

Wine Merchant Justerini & Brooks has unveiled its first-ever collaborative wine – a partnership between buyer Mark Dearing and icon of Spanish winemaking, producer Raúl Pérez.

Louis Latour Agencies tasting: "We are constantly looking to expand"

Published: 27 January, 2023

Louis Latour Agencies, owned by Maison Louis Latour, the historic Burgundy grower negotiant, showcased its small but impressive portfolio at the Haberdasher’s Hall in central London on Wednesday.

Bibendum takes the ‘art of (selling) wine’ in a new direction

Published: 27 January, 2023

Bibendum has just closed the cap on its first tasting concept of 2023, with a roster of likeminded events lined up for the year ahead as the company diversifies its annual tasting format.

Friday read: Paolo De Marchi leaves 'happy ghosts' at Isole e Olena

Published: 27 January, 2023

Justin Keay reports on a recent visit to Paolo De Marchi of Isole e Olena winery towards the end of 2022, in what turned out to be an elegiac trip. In 2022, De Marchi completed his last vintage after almost 50 years.

Diageo announces 18% sales growth in 2023 interim results

Published: 26 January, 2023

The British multinational alcoholic beverage company, Diageo, has reported net sales of £9.4 billion in the half-year ending 31 December 2022, an increase of 18.4% on the same period in 2021.