News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

BCB unveils Education Board for hotly anticipated London edition

Published: 12 May, 2025

Bar Convent Berlin (BCB) has revealed the Education Board for its first-ever UK edition: BCB London.

Speciality Brands unveils new sake partnership

Published: 12 May, 2025

Leading distributor Speciality Brands has welcomed a UK-based sake brewery into its diverse portfolio, strengthening its already strong Japanese offering.

Iggy Pop and Tilda Swinton among latest DP collaborators

Published: 12 May, 2025

Dom Pérignon has announced its latest “creative chapter”, with a series of portraits and films designed to deliver an immersive experience for guests from 15 May.

Sogevinus expands tourism offer

Published: 12 May, 2025

Leading Port winemaker Sogevinus is officially opening a new five-star hotel in Porto in late May 2025, strengthening its credentials as a major centre of Douro wine tourism.

Leadership change at Wakefield Wines

Published: 12 May, 2025

South Australia's Wakefield Wines has announced that, after 25 years as MD, Mitchell Taylor (pictured left) is taking on the new role of chairman of the board and John Freeman (pictured right) will become CEO from 21 July.

Ultimate CEE Wine Fair is back

Published: 09 May, 2025

The Ultimate CEE Wine Fair is returning to London on Monday 9 June with a bigger line-up of exhibitors and three new winemaking countries.

Second charity dinner top support Africa College Foundation

Published: 09 May, 2025

South African restaurant Vivat Bacchus is to host a second charity dinner in support of the Africa College Foundation. The event will take place on Wednesday, 12 June, at Vivat Bacchus Farringdon, and will feature a South African Braai Feast, a curated wine tasting, a charity auction, and guest speeches from celebrity speakers including British actress Olivia Williams (Dune, The Crown), and Nicole Ansari-Cox, actress (Succession), director, writer and producer.

Campari sees Q1 sales drop amid tariff squeeze

Published: 09 May, 2025

Italian drinks giant Campari Group has seen a –4.2% fall in organic net sales for Q1 of 2025. The company believes the drop has come amid ‘heightened macroeconomic volatility’, in part caused by the uncertainty caused by US tariffs during this period.

Glen Scotia unveils oldest ever whisky

Published: 08 May, 2025

Campbeltown scotch producer Glen Scotia has announced the release of a 50-year-old whisky, its oldest ever. The 1973-distilled single malt marks a fresh trajectory for the Kintyre distiller.

South African growers report ‘exceptional’ quality harvest for 2025

Published: 08 May, 2025

The trade body South Africa Wine has shared details of what it characterises as an ‘exceptional harvest’ for wine estates in the country.

Black Chalk targets growth with appointment of Neil Irvine

Published: 07 May, 2025

Hampshire wine estate Black Chalk has announced the addition of Neil Irvine to the newly created role of sales director. The onboarding comes as the producer seeks to boost sales growth.

Scotch hopes India-UK trade deal will be boon for sector

Published: 07 May, 2025

The British and Indian governments have agreed to a trade deal touted to increase bilateral trade between the nations by £25.5bn. The deal saw a softening of Indian tariffs on imports of British gin and whisky which could spark growth for the UK's domestic spirits industry.

Harpers announces Bordeaux Sustainable Winemaking webinar

Published: 07 May, 2025

Harpers Wine & Spirit is delving into the secrets of sustainability success in one of France’s best-known wine regions with an unmissable webinar on Friday 23 May from 10.30-11.30.

Class editor Hamish Smith gains Fortnum & Mason gong

Published: 06 May, 2025

Editor of Harpers sister publication Class Hamish Smith (pictured, centre) has been awarded the Drink Writer prize at the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards 2025.

Denbies gains King’s Award for sustainability credentials

Published: 06 May, 2025

Surrey-based Denbies Wine Estate has been awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category. The award reflects the producer’s commitment to the environment which has seen it gain a number of green accreditations in recent years.

Employment Rights Bill could spell challenges for hospitality trade

Published: 02 May, 2025

The first House of Lords committee debate took place this week on the Employment Rights Bill after its successful passage through the House of Commons.

WSET annual ceremony sees NHS doctor win Vintners’ Cup

Published: 02 May, 2025

At the WSET’s annual ceremony honouring its Diploma graduates from the 2023/24 class, NHS doctor Jo Kitley (pictured, centre) was awarded the event’s highest award. Kitley was awarded the Vinters’ Cup, given to the graduate who achieves the highest mark across all areas of the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines.

Bodegas Baigorri partners with Top Selection for UK brand relaunch

Published: 02 May, 2025

Spanish wine producer Bodegas Baigorri has entered into a distribution partnership with UK-based importer Top Selection as it looks to grow its presence in the UK.

Viña Pomal launches first sparkling Rioja wine for the UK

Published: 02 May, 2025

Rioja brand Viña Pomal has launched Viña Pomal Sparkling Reserva 2020 exclusively to the UK market through Majestic.

WSTA executive board gains three new members

Published: 02 May, 2025

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added three new faces to its executive board. The decision sees fresh board representation for SMEs as well as for spirits giant Rémy Cointreau.