By Lisa Riley - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Kent picked as one of 10 top ‘Grape Escape Destinations'

Published: 17 March, 2021

International Wine Tourism Conference (IWINETC) has pinpointed Kent as one of its ’10 Grape Escape Destinations' for 2021.

‘Tough times ahead’ for Scottish licensed hospitality sector

Published: 17 March, 2021

Trade bodies have expressed bitter disappointment after yesterday’s announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that bars, restaurants and cafés will not be able to serve alcohol indoors when the licensed hospitality industry reopens next month.

Beaujolais exports to UK continue to rise

Published: 16 March, 2021

Exports of Beaujolais wines to the UK continued to rise in both value and volume last year.

Walker & Wodehouse unveils virtual tastings

Published: 16 March, 2021

Bibendum’s Walker & Wodehouse has unveiled a series of virtual tastings for customers.

SME Brexit Support Fund opens for applications

Published: 16 March, 2021

The £20m SME Brexit Support Fund, announced last month, is now open for applications.

Additional grants for Welsh SMEs

Published: 16 March, 2021

Additional grants that will benefit small and medium-size hospitality businesses in Wales have been announced by the Welsh government’s First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Lay & Wheeler unveils wine design competition

Published: 15 March, 2021

Lay & Wheeler has launched a charity competition to design the label for an exclusive parcel of 2015 Bordeaux from Château Giscours.

The Drinks Trust’s ‘Drinks community’ goes live

Published: 15 March, 2021

The Drinks Trust has announced that its new skills sharing, networking and wellbeing platform, The Drinks Community, has gone live.

Scottish trade bodies provide government with route out of lockdown

Published: 15 March, 2021

Key Scottish trade bodies have joined forces to collectively provide the government with a route out of lockdown.

Sogevinus declares 2019 a vintage year

Published: 15 March, 2021

Sogevinus Fine Wines has declared the launch of two single Quinta vintages, Kopke Quinta de São Luiz 2019 and Burmester Quinta do Arnozelo 2019, as well as two classic vintages under the seal of Casas Cálem and Barros.

UKH urges govt to review roadmap following legal challenge

Published: 15 March, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has urged the government to review the roadmap again following the instigation of legal action by Pizza Express investor Hugh Osmond and night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord.

Tesco launches charitable somms service

Published: 15 March, 2021

Tesco has launched a charitable wine service that gives shoppers access to tailored tips from sommeliers.

Wines from Spain unveils hybrid events programme

Published: 11 March, 2021

Wines from Spain has announced the launch of a hybrid events programme for its 2021 annual tasting aimed at providing Spanish wine information, education and tasting opportunities for the UK trade and press.

Initiative to support world’s oldest vines launches

Published: 11 March, 2021

An initiative to support the global group of winemakers and viticulturists engaged with the world’s oldest vines has been launched by Leo Austin, Sarah Abbott MW and Alun Griffiths MW.

Operators without necessary licence run risk of fine for cocktail deliveries

Published: 11 March, 2021

Operators selling pre-mixed cocktails for home consumption without the necessary licence are at risk of getting fined by the HMRC, UK law firm TLT has warned.

Off-Piste expands Argentinian portfolio

Published: 11 March, 2021

Off-Piste Wines has expanded its Argentinian portfolio with Bodegas Salentein and Bodegas Callia.

Govt launches review into commercial rents as it extends moratorium

Published: 11 March, 2021

The UK government has extended the rent moratorium, which was due to expire at the end of this month, by three months.

Covid fuels Portuguese thirst for premium wine

Published: 11 March, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has added fuel to a trend among regular Portuguese wine drinkers for more expensive wines, according to the latest Portugal Wine Landscapes 2021 report from Wine Intelligence.

Online BWS sales hold strong

Published: 10 March, 2021

Online beer, wines and spirits (BWS) sales held strong in February, rising by 64.7% year-on-year, according to IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index.

Awards recognising ‘pandemic start-ups’ launches

Published: 10 March, 2021

International Food &  Drink Event (IFE) has teamed  up with challenger brand builder Mission Ventures to showcase  innovative  start-ups  in the food and drink sector, including alcohol, which have launched during the Covid-19 pandemic.