News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Berkmann’s spirits arm adds CBD drinks

Published: 26 June, 2020

Spirit Cartel, the spirits arm of Berkmann Wine Cellars, has added CBD drinks brand Gibson’s Goodology to its premium spirits portfolio.

Friday Read: Overturning discrimination against women in wine

Published: 26 June, 2020

Last week I made grown women cry, or so they told me. I published a blogpost on my website and on Tim Atkin MW’s about Women in Wine, and more specifically about my experience of sexual discrimination in the wine industry. It was an answer to a (much older) post by Christy Canterbury MW on Tim’s site.

NZW announces “outstanding” vintage but smaller than expected crop

Published: 26 June, 2020

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has declared the 2020 vintage “outstanding” despite adverse Covid-19 conditions.

UK Hospitality welcomes move to push outdoor dining

Published: 26 June, 2020

UK Hospitality (UKH) has said moves by the government to push outdoor dining will provide a “valuable boost” to hospitality looking to bounce back.

Majestic announces reopening

Published: 25 June, 2020

Majestic has announced that, bar "a handful" of stores, its 200-strong estate of retail stores will reopen for business tomorrow (Friday).

BBR confirms far reaching 'review' of troubled FMV

Published: 25 June, 2020

Berry Bros. & Rudd has confirmed that it is “reviewing” its Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) wholesale arm, with staff consultation ongoing, with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis almost certainly meaning that the business will not continue in its current shape or form.

William Grant auction to sell 300 unique items for charity

Published: 25 June, 2020

William Grant & Sons has announced it is to sell more than 300 “rare and unique” items as part of its #Standfast Charity Auction in aid of The Drinks Trust and The BEN Scotland.

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”.

Cork Supply comes close to eliminating TCA

Published: 25 June, 2020

Portuguese closure manufacturer Cork Supply has unveiled new TCA extraction technology that it claims can achieve a success rate of 99.85% in eliminating the risk of cork taint in cork-sealed wines.

Industry reacts to reopening guide

Published: 25 June, 2020

The green light for the hospitality sector to reopen was met with relief, as was the reduced social distancing measure that saw 2 metres become 1 plus, with both announcements welcomed across an industry desperate for some positive news.

Harpers teams up with Loire Valley for indies promotion

Published: 25 June, 2020

Loire Valley Wines is once again to run its popular Independent Wine Merchant promotion this Autumn.

Still boosts booming English wine sales

Published: 25 June, 2020

Multiple retailers and Indies alike have reported a spike in sales of English and Welsh wine during lockdown driven by still, local and regional.

FMV in consultation with staff over future of business

Published: 24 June, 2020

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) is understood to be in consultation with its staff over the future of the company.

New Wines of Portugal president outlines key priorities

Published: 24 June, 2020

New Wines of Portugal president Frederico Falcão has pointed out his priorities for his three-year mandate.

Additional 145 million pints to be sold due to reduced ‘distancing’

Published: 24 June, 2020

CGA has calculated that 145 million additional pints of beer will be sold through the on-trade as a result of the new 1 metre distancing rule, compared with what would have been sold with 2 metres.

English wineries reveal re-opening plans

Published: 24 June, 2020

Bolney Wine Estate and Coates & Seely have announced how they plan to start reopening their businesses to the public following the PM’s confirmation yesterday that the on-trade can reopen on 4 July with a reduced 1 metre social distancing rule.

Diageo launches $100m on-trade recovery fund

Published: 24 June, 2020

Diageo has unveiled a new global programme to support pubs and bars to welcome customers back and recover following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Government publishes re-opening guide

Published: 24 June, 2020

The government has this morning published the re-opening guide for the hospitality industry.

Naked Wines reports 81% sales surge during lockdown

Published: 24 June, 2020

Naked Wines has reported an 81% surge in sales during April and May, making up the first two months of fiscal 2021.

Quarterly rent day dampens relief over 2 metre relaxation

Published: 23 June, 2020

The quarterly rent due 24 June, just a day after PM Boris Johnson relaxed the 2 metre rule while confirming 4 July reopening for hospitality, comes as a sobering reminder that the on-trade’s woes are far from over.