Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

ProWein gets off to strong start, says fair director

Published: 24 March, 2014

Dusseldorf's international wine trade fair ProWein has got off to a strong start, with visitor numbers for day one slightly up on last year.

?Michael Degen of Messe Düsseldorf on what makes ProWein so relevant for global wine trade

Published: 23 March, 2014

Anand Virmani talks to Michael Degen, the executive director Messe Düsseldorf, and the man responsible for ProWein about what makes it successful after 20 years.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 21 March, 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, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Hardys to be official wine sponsor of English cricket team

Published: 21 March, 2014

Australian wine brand, Hardys, is to be the official wine of the English cricket team having signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the England Cricket Board.

Majestic's shares fall 20% on back of profits warning for financial year

Published: 21 March, 2014

Majestic Wine's shares have fallen by as much as 20% over the last two days after it issued a profit warning saying its overall profit before tax would be flat for the financial year.

?William Grant appoints Rob Allanson as global ambassador

Published: 21 March, 2014

Rob Allanson joins William Grant & Sons Ltd. as the new global ambassador for Grant's Blended Scotch Whisky.

Changes to packaging waste recycling costs could save wine and spirit sector £38m

Published: 21 March, 2014

The wine and spirits industry has welcomed news that the government intends to lower the costs involved in recycling packaging waste, following a huge increase in glass recycling costs, which could save the sector up to £38 million.

?Lidl's chief departs over "unbridgeable" differences

Published: 21 March, 2014

The head of Lidl, the German-based discount supermarket and the third largest retail chain in Europe, has left following "unbridgeable" differences.

Les Grand Chais de France backs independents by signing up to Best Practice Guidelines

Published: 21 March, 2014

French wine producer, Les Grand Chais de France, is the biggest wine name to show its commitment to the independent merchant sector by signing up to the Harpers Best Practice Guidelines that oversee how producers and suppliers are working in the independent sector.

Spar launches its fifth annual nationwide wine festival

Published: 20 March, 2014

Spar is to run its annual Wine Festival between March 20 and May 7 which will look to showcase its range of award-winning wines that start from just £4.

Battle over Tennessee Bourbon whiskey intensifies

Published: 20 March, 2014

Both Diaego and Brown-Forman have made headlines in recent days over a battle that is brewing in the south of the US over what exactly is the appropriate definition of Tennessee Bourbon whiskey.

Wine shipments from the west coast of America threatened by strikes

Published: 20 March, 2014

Wine shipments in and out of the west coast of the US could be seriously hampered by possible strike action at 29 major ports.

Budget 2014: Younger consumers look to boost own finances

Published: 20 March, 2014

In the wake of yesterday's Budget, which targeted pensioners and savers, research shows the younger generation is taking proactive measures to boost its finances.

Consumers prefer screwcaps, says survey

Published: 20 March, 2014

A survey of 6,000 consumers has shown that the majority prefer screwcaps over other closures because they're more convenient.

Alcohol duty escalator scrapped in Budget

Published: 19 March, 2014

The alcohol duty escalator has been scrapped, while duty on spirits has been frozen and beer duty has been cut by 1p per pint.

New members elected to Gran Orden de Caballeros for services to Spanish wine industry

Published: 19 March, 2014

María José López de Heredia and José Velo Rego are the latest figures to be inaugurated in to the Gran Orden de Caballeros for their services to the Spanish wine industry.

Owners of Bladnoch whisky distillery go into liquidation

Published: 19 March, 2014

Scotland's most southerly distillery Bladnoch is up for sale as a going concern following news that its parent company has entered administration.

Scrapping duty escalator will benefit wine and spirits trade by £175m

Published: 19 March, 2014

Scrapping the duty escalator and freezing spirits duty will boost the wine and spirits trade to the tune of £175 million, says the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Scrapping duty escalator could be bad news for suppliers warns Robin Copestick

Published: 19 March, 2014

Robin Copestick, co-founder of UK wine agency Copestick Murray, has sounded a warning shot about the Chancellor's decision to scrap the duty escalator in today's Budget and fears suppliers will be forced to take on the costs of inflationary duty increases rather than the higher costs under the escalator that were easier to pass on to consumers.