News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Prosecco elects new president

Published: 26 July, 2021

Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has elected a new president, Elvira Maria Bortolomiol.

Venue closures and reduced service looming for hospitality

Published: 26 July, 2021

The hospitality sector is facing a summer of venue closures and reduced service following the government’s decision to leave the industry off the self-isolation exemption list, UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned.

WSTA claims victory as VI-1 forms scrapped

Published: 26 July, 2021

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has won a significant post-Brexit victory after government has agreed to scrap the time consuming and costly VI-1 forms on imported wine.

Shannon Tebay takes the top job at the American Bar

Published: 22 July, 2021

Shannon Tebay has been appointed as the head bartender at the American Bar at The Savoy, also taking on the role of senior mixologist at the hotel.

Long Read: Floods in the Ahr valley – A tale of destruction and solidarity

Published: 22 July, 2021

Large areas of Western Germany were flooded last week and are dealing with an unprecedented level of destruction and loss. The overall sense of bafflement and being overwhelmed has prompted an international movement of solidarity, namely within the wine community, eager to help fellow winemakers many of whom have lost all their cellared stock, equipment, homes and wineries. Whether the foundations of the latter are still sound is yet to be determined; as is, in most cases, whether insurances will cover the damage caused by this unexpected natural disaster.

Trivento takes the top spot for Argentine wine

Published: 22 July, 2021

Concha y Toro's Trivento is celebrating becoming the leading Argentine wine brand in the world, with sales of over US$256.2m a year according to a new report from the IWSR.

'Easing of restrictions does not mean easing of challenges'

Published: 22 July, 2021

The scale of the challenges facing hospitality businesses as they look to rebuild from the effects of the pandemic means government support continues to be essential, key industry bodies have said.

Saunders joins Didsbury Gin as non-executive director

Published: 22 July, 2021

Bibendum CEO Michael Saunders has joined Didsbury Gin as a non-executive director.

Court reserves judgement on Vinpro interdict application

Published: 22 July, 2021

The Western Cape High Court has reserved judgement on Vinpro’s urgent interim interdict application that would afford the Premier of the Western Cape the power to adopt deviations to the national ban to enable off- and on-consumption sale of alcohol in the province.

Château de Pommard releases 2019 Clos Marey-Monge cuveés

Published: 21 July, 2021

Château de Pommard has announced the release of the 2019 Clos Marey-Monge cuveés, which it claims to be the first to receive organic certification from a French certifier, accredited by the INAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality).

The WineBarn pledges to donate to Ahr region

Published: 21 July, 2021

The WineBarn has made a pledged to donate 15% of its profits for the rest of July to the VDP’s (Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter) fundraiser set up to support producers in the Ahr region hit by last week’s devastating floods.

Famille Helfrich recruits to grow business in London and the South

Published: 21 July, 2021

Famille Helfrich, the on-trade and independent merchant arm of French winemaker Les Grands Chais de France, has recruited Julien Dillmann as national account manager to spearhead its quest to grow and support its customer base in London and the South.

A third of fled hospitality workers looking to return

Published: 21 July, 2021

A third of hospitality workers who have left the industry within the last 12 months are looking to return, according to new research by The Burnt Chef Project.

Oz wine exports to UK highest in a decade

Published: 21 July, 2021

Australian wine exports to the UK reached their highest level in a decade during the 2020–21 financial year, according to the latest Wine Australia Export Report released today.

Germany calls for aid following extreme floods

Published: 20 July, 2021

The German Wine Institute (DWI) is collating funds for the flood-impacted region of the Ahr Valley after devastating floods hit last week.

Wines of Germany show The Big G returns

Published: 20 July, 2021

Wines of Germany has announced the return of its The Big G show in partnership with Harpers Wine & Spirit.

Clubs hit back over Covid passports

Published: 20 July, 2021

The late-night sector has reacted with anger over the introduction of mandatory Covid passports from September, with Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association, branding it “an absolute shambles”.

Vinpro interdict hearing to take place Wednesday

Published: 20 July, 2021

Vinpro has confirmed that it is to argue its urgent interim interdict application in the Western Cape High Court tomorrow (Wednesday 21 July).

Supermarkets record drop in BWS sales

Published: 20 July, 2021

Take-home sales of alcohol over the four weeks to 11 July were down by 3% compared with the previous month, according to the latest figures from Kantar.