News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The week that was

Published: 13 December, 2018

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features

Looking ahead: Paul Jenkins, Caprice Holdings

Published: 13 December, 2018

Once again we’re catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 may bring.

MMD swells Burgundy ranks with Billaud-Simon

Published: 13 December, 2018

Maisons Marques et Domaines has been given exclusivity rights for Chablis producer Domaine Billaud-Simon.

Fine wine more stable than gold as Burgundy drives record high for investment market

Published: 13 December, 2018

Burgundy thrived, Bordeaux consolidated and wine investment proved more stable than gold, according to the Liv-ex annual summary of the 2018 market, described as “a record breaking year”.

Looking ahead: Andrew Johnson, Woodwinters

Published: 13 December, 2018

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

Number of regular UK wine drinkers drops by one million in three years

Published: 13 December, 2018

Britain is steadily losing its core wine drinkers to other beverage categories, while those who remain loyal to the category are drinking less often.

Famille Helfrich gears up for first portfolio tasting

Published: 12 December, 2018

Famille Helfrich, the premium on-trade and independents arm of Les Grands Chais de France, will launch its first portfolio tasting in the UK next year.

Wines of Hungary brings Furmint February to the UK

Published: 12 December, 2018

Wines of Hungary has announced it will be bringing Furmint February to the UK in 2019.

Bulk matters

Published: 12 December, 2018

An increasingly sophisticated and sustainably focused bulk wine sector is in global ascendancy and it is increasingly shaping the world’s wine market, including the premium end.

Exclusive: Rioja Alavesa revives breakaway move

Published: 11 December, 2018

Rioja Alavesa wine producers have officially agreed to revive the breakaway Viñedos de Álava DO (Denominación de Origen) which they say is aimed at providing a sustainable economic model for wine producers.

Freixenet launches its first 0% alcohol range

Published: 11 December, 2018

Freixenet has launched an alcohol free sparkling wine range to tap the trend for low and no alcohol drinks.

Prosecco on the way out says Naked Wines

Published: 11 December, 2018

Sauvignon Blanc still reigns supreme as Britain’s favourite grape, while Prosecco is on the wane according to the latest from Naked Wines.

Yealands receives fine for inaccurate records and false statements

Published: 11 December, 2018

Yealands Estate Wines has been fined $400,000 in relation to inaccurate internal wine records and the making of false statements in export eligibility applications under the Wine Act 2003.

Gaucho appoints former Wines of Argentina Europe director

Published: 10 December, 2018

Gaucho has hired former Wines of Argentina Europe director Andrew Maidment as part of a new strategy to re-establish the brand as ‘UK’s foremost Argentine wine specialist’.

Highbury Vintners and Hennings Wine win Shop Rioja

Published: 10 December, 2018

This year’s Shop Rioja initiative delivered a collective sales uplift of 81% during October for the 61 retailers taking part, with Highbury Vintners and Hennings Wine taking top spot.

House of Tequila urges industry to work together to stabilise prices

Published: 10 December, 2018

With another two years to go before the current agave shortage – which has caused huge price spikes – is expected to come to an end, House of Tequila has urged the industry to “work together” to avoid such volatile market conditions in the future.

Harpers Design Awards 2018: The winners

Published: 10 December, 2018

Good design may only sell the one, first bottle if the liquid inside is discovered to be below par. But present the most sublime booze in a mediocre or off-putting package and the painstaking craft of the distiller or winemaker is likely to be left collecting dust.

Wine Australia gears up to launch new educational initiative

Published: 10 December, 2018

Wine Australia has announced it is to launch a new educational programme at its trade tasting in London next month.

Rhône wines shine in the US

Published: 09 December, 2018

Sales of Rhône wines continue to decline in traditional markets, while the US east coast is showing “unprecedented levels of consumer interest,” according to leading sommeliers.