December was worst month for UK restaurant closures in four years

UK restaurant company insolvencies in December of last year were the highest in at least four years says Mazars, the international audit, tax and advisory firm. 

New whisky app bids to simplify cask ownership

Cask specialists, Whisky Partners, has announced the launch of a brand-new app targeted at the world of whisky cask ownership. 

New era for Mangrove following French buyout

Mangrove Global has been bought by the spirits branch of GBH, a French group based in Martinique, in a move which is set to usher in a new phase for the company. 

Nyetimber announces America’s Cup partnership

Nyetimber, a leading English sparkling wine producer, has announced its partnership with INEOS Britannia, the British race team challenging for the 37th America’s Cup. 

Pub and bar company insolvencies jump by 83% in past year to 512

Insolvencies of pub and bar companies have increased by 83% in the past year, from 280 in 2020/21 to 512, says UHY Hacker Young, the national accountancy group.

Scottish rum distiller to launch private cask ownership

A new age of rum distilling is on the horizon for Scotland, as the award-winning Matugga Distillery launches its private cask ownership programme to the public.

Nick Gillett: Wholesale at a crossroads – which way now?

We’re now at a crossroads in the UK. I don’t mean economically or politically. I will leave others to comment on that. Having worked previously for a wholesaler and now as a distributor, it’s the changing wholesale drinks market I want to discuss.

C&C Group’s Bibendum and Matthew Clark join Harpers Sustainability Charter

One of the UK’s leading premium wine specialists, Bibendum, has signed onto the Harpers Sustainability Charter as a ‘Sustainability Champion’. 

Raymond Reynolds imports Pico Wines via zero-emission sail vessel

Pico Wines and their UK importer Raymond Reynolds have announced the first shipment of wine from the Island of Pico, the first to the UK in over 80 years.

Fine wine gets the January blues

Fine wine got off to a slow start in the first month of 2023 at fine wine investment platform Cult Wines, deflating a more encouraging bubble which began towards the end of 2022.

Tim Atkin MW releases new Rioja report

Renowned critic and Harpers columnist Tim Atkin MW has launched the 2023 edition of his Rioja Report.

Hospitality sector under massive strain as insolvencies hit decade-high

Old Vine Conference unveils new award scheme

The founders of the Old Vine Conference have launched an inaugural 'Old Vine Hero Award', dedicated to winegrowers who champion parcels of old vines around the world.

Hoxton Spirits beefs up its range

Hoxton Spirits, the artisan brand founded by Gerry Calabrese, has launched three new labels: Hoxton London Spritz, Hoxton Spiced Whisky and a classic London Dry gin.

Vine diversity project sketches path ahead for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

A plant breeding research project looking at how Sauvignon Blanc vines adapt to external stress in New Zealand could unlock the future potential for the grape when facing an increasingly ‘chaotic’ climate.

The Drinks Trust calls on industry to have its say in annual survey

The Drinks Trust has released its annual industry survey to help better understand the needs of the drinks and hospitality industry.

VSPT Wine Group announces launch of UK subsidiary

VSPT Wine Group has announced the launch of a new subsidiary – VSPT UK – to strengthen its distribution and service to the market and retailers. 

Harpers Taste Off: Adding more ‘oomph’ to sparkling sales

Everyone loves a glass of fizz and nowhere is this evidenced more than in the rise and rise of English sparkling. But it’s not just English bubbly that is buoying sales of wine. As Harpers recently reported, analyst firm IRI’s most recent FMCG Demand Signals report confirmed that across six major European markets, sparkling wine sales remain in robust shape, set against a 4% off-trade decline in wines, beers and spirits.

Millesime Bio sets the bar for organic wine

“At the time, organic winegrowers like myself were treated like oddballs.” These are the words of Oliver Azan, a winegrower at Domaine de Petit Roubie in Languedoc. 

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

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