News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

?New Zealand on track for record crop

Published: 18 March, 2014

New Zealand is on track to have its biggest harvest ever this year, with estimations of a 15% increase over last year's record crop.

Bacardí launches multi-million pound marketing campaign

Published: 18 March, 2014

Bacardí has launched a multi-million pound marketing campaign in the UK around its "irrepressible spirit".

The week ahead: Budget and tastings dominate the agenda

Published: 17 March, 2014

The wine and spirits trade faces one of its most eventful weeks of the year as it counts down to Wednesday's Budget with a series of major generic tastings.

Public poll gives overwhelming support to cuts in duty in this week's Budget

Published: 17 March, 2014

Only 3% of the British public think alcoholic drinks are not too expensive in pubs and restaurants and unless more is done to cut duty levels they are likely to spend more time drinking at home.

Hello Vino acquires social wine app Corkbin- the "Instagram" of wine

Published: 17 March, 2014

Hello Vino has announced a deal to acquire the US social wine app Corkbin, that allows wine enthusiasts to save and share photos of wines and has been called the "Instagram of wine".

Discover the Origin to hold two masterclasses with Gerard Basset

Published: 14 March, 2014

Discover the Origin, a campaign focused on Bourgogne Wines, Parma Ham, Douro Wines, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Port, is set to host two mastercalsses in May featuring award winning sommelier Gerard Basset.

Kleine Zalze to launch wine range to celebrate its new Fairtrade status

Published: 14 March, 2014

Kleine Zalze, the South African producer, has been accredited with Fairtrade status for its wine production.

UK on verge of an "almighty price war" warns PLB's John Osborne

Published: 14 March, 2014

The UK retail industry is on the verge of an "almighty price war" amongst the major multiples as the rise of the hard discounters continues to dictate the dynamics of the UK grocery market, according to John Osborne the new managing director of wine distributor PLB.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 14 March, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

America unites for first California, Washington and Oregon Go West! UK tasting

Published: 14 March, 2014

The US states of California, Oregon and Washington will be holding a combined tasting for the first time next week at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in London on March 17.

Wine and spirits industry in one last push to halt duty escalator in next week's Budget

Published: 14 March, 2014

The wine and spirits trade is readying itself for one last push to convince the Chancellor to scrap the alcohol duty escalator in next week's Budget following intensive campaigning across the industry.

UK sales of organic wine fall

Published: 13 March, 2014

Sales of organic produce have risen for the first time in four years in the UK, but the increase has not been felt across beers wines and spirits sales at supermarkets, where they tumbled 7.6%.

Budget Day is coming soon!

Published: 13 March, 2014

The lead up to the Budget Day begins. Keep up to date here on Harpers.co.uk with our news updates, blogs and live posts on the day - March 19th!

Bargain Booze franchisees set for bonus payment

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bargain Booze franchisees are getting their share of a £180,000 bonus pot this month from owners Conviviality Retail, following the launch of a reward scheme.

Campari acquires Canadian whiskey brand for $170 million

Published: 13 March, 2014

Gruppo Campari has reached an agreement to acquire Canada's fastest-growing whiskey brand Forty Creek Distillery, for US$170 million.

Miracle Machine designed to turn water into wine was publicity stunt

Published: 13 March, 2014

The Miracle Machine which claimed to turn water into wine in just a few days was a publicity stunt designed to raise awareness for a clean water charity.

Bibendum strengthens Australian portfolio with Wynns

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bibendum has added Coonawarra estate Wynns to its portfolio, along with boutique Margaret River producer Fraser Gallop and fortified wines Morris of Rutherglen.

Prosecco's mass appeal may limit growth, says Cava boss

Published: 12 March, 2014

Prosecco's meteoric rise is not at the expense of Cava, insists Grupo Codorniu UK's boss, who says its mass appeal may inhibit further growth.

Best buyers understand and work with their suppliers, hears Wine Buyers Forum

Published: 12 March, 2014

The best wine buyers are the ones that do their homework on their suppliers, know their market, understand their customers and choose wines that match their own business agenda, according to two former supermarket heads of wine speaking at this week's inaugural Wine Buyers Forum i n Windsor.

Bernard Fontannaz slams wine critics who claim Fairtrade wines should "overdeliver"

Published: 12 March, 2014

Fairtrade wine pioneer Bernard Fontannaz has called for a level playing field for Fairtrade wines, after criticism that the wines should "overdeliver" on quality.