Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Distell sells Bisquit Cognac brand to Campari

Published: 20 December, 2017

Distell has agreed to sell its Bisquit Dubouche et Ci Cognac business to Campari Group for €52.5m.

Boutinot maps South Africa with three-tiers regional range

Published: 12 December, 2017

Boutinot has expanded its South African portfolio with a three-tiers range created to chart the story of the Cape’s regional diversity and simplify it for consumers.

Former Distell brand director takes over as chair of WOSA

Published: 13 November, 2017

Wines of South Africa has announced a new a new appointment to the role of non-executive chair.

South Africa chases premium ground

Published: 13 November, 2017

As South Africa strives to push innovation and quality, natural factors may just provide the tipping point for the country.

M&S targets health conscious consumers with low calorie wine trio

Published: 19 October, 2017

Marks & Spencer has joined forces with South African winery Journey’s End to produce a low calorie wine.

Championing emerging regions

Published: 05 September, 2017

What will be the wine regions to look out for in 2018? Justin Keay takes a look at the main contenders

Q&A: May de Lencquesaing, proprietor at Glenelly Estate, SA

Published: 18 August, 2017

With a career spanning over 40 years and two continents, May de Lencquesaing certainly earned the IWC Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed upon her early this summer.

Nederburg encourages trade to get cycling and pairing for charity fundraiser

Published: 11 August, 2017

South African producer Nederburg is encouraging pubs and businesses in the UK to help to ‘mobilise’ African communities and make it easier for people to access education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

Origin brings Electric Sky single-serve wine brand to the UK

Published: 06 June, 2017

Origin Wine is poised to launch its Electric Sky wine brand in the UK in a bid to replicate its success in the US.

New Cape Origin designation to boost tourism link

Published: 05 June, 2017

South Africa’s Wine and Spirit Board has introduced a new Wine of Origin District for Cape Town, bringing 30 wineries together under the banner to boost international recognition.

South Africa over-delivers at entry level, but needs to work harder to push premium message

Published: 04 May, 2017

Last week Harpers gathered a room full of wine trade experts to debate the health of the South African wine industry. Participants from the on-trade, multiples and independent sectors discussed how South Africa can better promote its premium offering and what its trump cards are.

South African bulk wine takes a tumble as exporters play up premium

Published: 24 February, 2017

New data shows that bulk wine diminishing in volume and value dogged the success of South African wine in the UK in 2016.

Resurrected Western Wines concept focuses on post-referendum opportunities for UK bottling

Published: 02 February, 2017

The family behind the now defunct Western Wines is re-launching part of its business model to export South African bulk to wine to the UK.

Hess Family sells Glen Carlou to Pactolus

Published: 20 December, 2016

Hess Family Wine Estates is selling its prestigious South African Glen Carlou winery to the Pactolus Consortium, headed by tech investor and serial entrepreneur Wayne Pitout, for an undisclosed sum.

Wine trends: Predictions 2017

Published: 13 December, 2016

White from red regions, Loire and premium US whites are going to be 2017's big winners, according to Bibendum.

Men driving growth of Fairtrade wine says Co-op

Published: 08 December, 2016

Evidence that the growing number of ethically sourced and social responsible drinks companies is in response to consumer demand for alcohol with a conscience has been backed by data from the Co-op which revealed that its sales of Fairtrade wine are up 25% YOY.

Distell breaks contracts as it moves to direct distribution

Published: 20 October, 2016

South African alcohol producer Distell has unveiled plans to bring the distribution of all its brands in-house so that it can directly manage the sales and marketing of its UK portfolio.

Q&A: Ken Forrester, owner, Forrester Wines

Published: 14 October, 2016

The man known as Mr Chenin tells Harpers how he views the South African wine market's evolution over the past 20 years - and what his plans are now after selling a significant stake in his business to French group AdVini.