Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Indies’ focus on esoteric Italy leaves supermarkets in the shade

Published: 12 December, 2019

Italy in the off-trade seems to be a game of two halves at the moment with supermarkets sticking to classics and bankers while independent merchants push the envelope with more esoteric wines and attempt to shape consumer habits.

Selling Italy in the off-trade

Published: 09 December, 2019

Justin Keay digs deep into Italy in the off-trade, taking his microscope to the supermarkets’ Italian ranges and discovering what indie customers are demanding from their local merchants.

Piedmont declares 2019 a ‘classic and traditional’ vintage

Published: 19 November, 2019

Consorzio Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato has declared 2019 a “classic and traditional” vintage with the quality of Piedmont grapes “impressive”, leading to a double digit drop in yields.

Soave launches project to tackle soil erosion

Published: 19 November, 2019

The Consorzio of Soave has embarked on a pioneering project to study the impact of soil erosion in its vineyards and to help producers develop and maintain techniques to protect their soil.

Pinot Grigio - the end of the affair?

Published: 08 November, 2019

Ines Salpico reports on a strategic rethink as sales of Italy’s favourite white experiences a dramatic fall.

Prosecco reports 2019 yields down but ‘exceptional quality’

Published: 29 October, 2019

Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has declared the 2019 harvest of “exceptional quality”, but said yields were down between 3% to 5%.

Off-Piste unveils new partnership with Piccini

Published: 20 September, 2019

Cheltenham-based importer Off-Piste Wines has become the exclusive representative for Italian producer Piccini in the UK multiple off-trade.

Winetraders appoints Simon Chant as commercial associate

Published: 15 July, 2019

Winetraders has appointed Simon Chant in a newly created role of commercial associate to help develop sales across both the on and off-trade.

Q&A: Kim Wilson and Joy Edmondson, North South Wines

Published: 18 June, 2019

Innovative, agile and on-trend, North South Wines is shaking up the traditional importer model. Andrew Catchpole meets its founders

La Dolce Vita

Published: 12 June, 2019

A broadening interest in Italy means the country’s indigenous grape varieties are now packing a punch at the top, writes Jo Gilbert

Conegliano Valdobbiadene bans glyphosate in its vineyards

Published: 11 June, 2019

The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has forbidden the use of glyphosate in its vineyards.

Old world wines dominate on-trade in China, new research shows

Published: 31 May, 2019

Wines from France and Italy dominate the on-trade in China, according to the first in-depth research into the Chinese on-trade market.

Bibendum grows organic range with Zensa

Published: 13 May, 2019

Bibendum has added to its range of organic wines with the listing of the Zensa range from southern Italian producer Orion Wines.

Bellavita Academy adds WSET courses

Published: 26 April, 2019

Bellavita Academy, provider of professional courses for chefs and sommeliers, has become an Approved Programme Provider (APP) for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

FMV adds Vigneti Tardis to its Italian portfolio

Published: 08 April, 2019

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) has extended its Italian portfolio with the addition of Vigneti Tardis.

Stannary St Wine Co moves top end Italian release to en primeur model

Published: 28 March, 2019

Stannary St Wine Co has moved its annual Italian release of its top end producers to an en primeur sales model on the back of the "meteoric popularity of Italian wines".