Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

67 Pall Mall launches Global Wine Communicator Awards

Published: 31 January, 2024

67 Pall Mall has launched an ambitious competition to find and award the world’s best wine communicators.

New Coravin ‘fractionalization’ device aims to revolutionise single-serve

Published: 15 May, 2023

Coravin’s big unveil at LWF (London Wine Fair), its new Coravin Vinitas system, aims to “revolutionise the way wine is consumed”, while also pulling in younger consumers, according to company founder Greg Lambrecht.

More late stage delay for Scottish DRS

Published: 16 December, 2022

A Gateway Review into the already pushed back Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Scotland has concluded that the scheme won’t be fit to launch by August 2023.

Guy Woodward: Intercontinental blends challenge the sanctity of terroir

Published: 06 September, 2022

Earlier this year, Penfolds announced its ambition to essay “a strategic shift from fine wine brand to global luxury icon”. The brand’s new marketing campaign, it said, encapsulated Penfolds’ “innovative spirit and desire to push the boundaries through self-belief”.

Journey’s End teams up with Ingham to launch sustainable ‘punk’ wine brand

Published: 01 August, 2022

Wine trade veteran buyer Andrew Ingham is to launch an innovative new range in collaboration with Cape winery Journey’s End this autumn.

Laithwaites leans into recycled glass

Published: 27 July, 2022

Online retailer Laithwaites has expanded its first recycled glass range following better-than-expected initial sales.

Treasury bags new format extension as conversation around alt packaging grows

Published: 13 June, 2022

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has added a new bag-in-box (BiB) release to its high performing 19 Crimes portfolio, with the launch of its Revolutionary Rosé now available.

Co-founder of sommelier-backed canned wine brand claims “bottles are the past”

Published: 25 May, 2022

A new range of canned wines launched this week (23 May), under the brand name Djuce.

New campaign to reinvigorate sherry's image in UK

Published: 11 February, 2022

Promotional body Sherry from Spain has launched a new promotional drive in the UK market, designed to build awareness and transform sherry's image across both the on-trade and direct-to-consumer channels.

WSET takes a new approach to events via training hub

Published: 21 October, 2021

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is launching the WSET Events Hub, which will offer virtual events, as part of a new trade and consumer events strategy.

New Pix wine platform on global ‘matchmaking mission’

Published: 29 September, 2021

An ambitious new wine discovery platform is soon to launch with the aim of becoming the “biggest wine platform in the world,” according to its creators.

Sipsmith launches non-alcoholic FreeGlider

Published: 03 August, 2021

Market leading gin producer Sipsmith is the latest distillery to enter the no and low category with the launch of Free Glider, its alcohol-free spirit.

WSET and Worshipful Company of Distillers launch annual bursary fund

Published: 09 December, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Worshipful Company of Distillers have teamed up to help support the leaders of tomorrow get ahead in their careers.

Ex-PLB directors launch new business

Published: 30 November, 2020

Two former directors of PLB have teamed up again to launch a new wine export agency.

Zero waste wine range launched by Borough

Published: 23 September, 2020

Sustainably-focused merchant Borough Wines has launched a zero waste wine range that taps into growing consumer environmental concerns.

Losh launches online satirical drinks magazine

Published: 14 September, 2020

Shaking aside the current gloom and doom, drinks pundit Chris Losh has launched a new website, Fake Booze, which takes a sideways look at the trade and all its shenanigans.

Kylie goes vintage with Benchmark expansion

Published: 12 August, 2020

International pop star Kylie Minogue is continuing to grow her presence in the UK wine aisles with the launch of a new 2019 Côtes de Provence rosé.

Kingsland offshoot to focus on ‘amazing opportunities’ for innovation

Published: 06 August, 2020

The levels of innovation witnessed so far in the spirits world are only a beginning, according to Becky Davies, who is heading up the new Kingsland Drinks’ spirits subsidiary that was unveiled earlier this week.

Frugal Bottle shaves ‘up to 84%’ off carbon footprint

Published: 29 June, 2020

With the UK importing more than 1.6 billion heavy glass bottles of wine a year (WRAP figures), eco-packaging company Frugalpac has launched a lightweight ‘bottle’ that aims to significantly redress some of the trade’s carbon footprint.

Top Selection goes direct to consumer with online launch

Published: 25 June, 2020

Importer Top Selection has officially launched 9 Elms Wines, a new online wine and spirits retail arm, aimed at giving consumers direct access to “boutique wines” that the company said would “normally only be available to restaurants and specialist retailers”.