Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Four pubs battle it out for CAMRA's National Pub of the Year

Published: 28 November, 2014

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has shortlisted four pubs who will battle it out to be named its National Pub of the Year.

Zuma's Noel Pusch is named Sake Sommelier of the Year

Published: 28 November, 2014

Noel Pusch of premium Japanese restaurant chain Zuma's Abu Dhabi branch has been named Sake Sommelier of the Year at an awards ceremony at London's Westbury Hotel this week.

Raisinable wine app brings mark up transparency to restaurant consumers

Published: 27 November, 2014

Raisinable, a free wine app which compares restaurant and retail wine prices and illustrates the mark up, is launching today and will feature several restaurants in London.

Roger Jones on falling in love with the "wild west" of New Zealand's Central Otago

Published: 26 November, 2014

If there was one area in New Zealand which defines the whole ethos of its wine industry it must be Central Otago.

Consumers to tighten purse strings on food and drink this Christmas

Published: 26 November, 2014

Consumers are planning to rein in Christmas spending on food, drink and gifts this year, according to a poll carried out by pub operator Greene King.

Mitchells & Butlers profit down as revenues grow

Published: 25 November, 2014

Pub and bar operator Mitchells & Butlers, owner of the All Bar One and Browns venues, has seen revenues grow by 4% to £1.9 billion, while profits before tax fell by 13% to £123 million.

Spirits can become far bigger part of on-trade sales mix, says CGA

Published: 24 November, 2014

Bars and pubs can do more to boost spirits sales, says CGA Strategy, with restaurants proving particularly fertile ground.

Wine suppliers say scrapping beer tie will have limited effect on wine

Published: 24 November, 2014

Wine suppliers say the vote to break the beer tie will have a limited effect on wine sales - while it may open up the market, most leaseholders are already free to buy wine from a supplier of their choice.

Roger Jones adds a Canterbury tale to his tour of New Zealand

Published: 24 November, 2014

The car journey from Blenheim Airport to Waipara is one of the most beautiful drives you could envisage, with a wild coastline that is picture perfect.

Frustrated restaurateurs create homemade vermouth for own Ethicurean site and independents

Published: 21 November, 2014

Frustrated that they could not find a vermouth good enough to serve in their Bristol restaurant, the team behind the Ethicurean restaurant in Wrington, Bristol, decided to go and make their own.

Roger Jones on what New Zealand is doing best with Sauvignon Blanc and his top wines

Published: 21 November, 2014

Concerns have been rumbling in the UK that Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc may have reached its fashion peak and is going the same way as Australian Chardonnay did a decade ago, where the industry were guided by the supermarket dinosaurs to produce a product that consumers no longer wanted, but price and flash instant big flavour hit was the defining factor.

Beaujolais gains popularity with Millennials

Published: 20 November, 2014

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is here - and this year the festivities are shaking off their fusty image and attracting younger drinkers.

London on-trade sees October sales up 4.1%

Published: 12 November, 2014

London bar and restaurant chains have seen like for like sales up 4.1% in October, while outside the capital managed operators are ramping up new site openings.

Advertising legend Sir John Hegarty on what it is really like to be a winemaker

Published: 11 November, 2014

Perhaps unsurprisingly considering his high standing in the world of advertising, and the vociferous views on wine marketing which he expressed in last month's Harper's, Sir John Hegarty intends his 37 acre vineyard, located amid woodland and spontaneously sprouting herbs by Minervois' Montaigne Noire, to be a brave venture.

Going out to the pub is top leisure activity says Carlsberg study

Published: 10 November, 2014

Going to the pub is still the number one leisure activity, according to the findings of a consumer poll of some 1,800 people.

How Russian entrpreneurs are driving London's jet set to destination wine stores and restaurants

Published: 07 November, 2014

If you literally have it all, where do you go and spend it? As Glynn Davis discovers, there is a new mini club of entrepreneurs with the pockets and contact books to attract the best wines and richest customers

Holiday pay ruling could hamper investment in hospitality sector

Published: 05 November, 2014

The ruling that overtime should be included in holiday pay could hamper investment and lead to job cuts in the hospitality sector, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers has warned.

Diageo launches on-trade winter spirits campaign

Published: 28 October, 2014

Diageo is looking to help bartenders cash in on the 39% sales increase spirits enjoy in wintertime with a new campaign based on 'inspiring serves'.

The Week That Was: Tescogate and other top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 24 October, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Master sommeliers Gerard Basset and Kathrine Larsen flag French wine potential in on-trade

Published: 23 October, 2014

Top sommeliers Gerard Basset and Kathrine Larsen say the on-trade needs to trust staff, not be afraid to have a French wine as the house offering, and tell compelling stories in order to boost sales in the category.