Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cockburn’s revamps range with eco-friendly focus

Published: 23 September, 2024

Cockburn’s Port is ‘challenging perceptions in the category’ with a significant redesign which introduces a new lightweight bottle across the core range.

New Vinho Verde project sharpens Alvarinho focus

Published: 15 July, 2024

Portuguese winemaker Luis Cerdeira has left his family’s renowned Soalheiro wine company to establish a new Vinho Verde wine project with his son Manuel, a Plumpton College graduate.

Graham’s unveils historic 50-Year-Old Tawny Port

Published: 14 May, 2024

In a rare and historic move, Graham’s has introduced its first-ever 50-year-old Tawny Port, signalling a significant addition to the world of Port wines. The release marks the first for the business since the 50-year-old category was permitted in 2020.

Symington Family releases 2022 Capela do Vesúvio Vintage Port

Published: 22 April, 2024

The Symington family has introduced the 2022 Capela do Vesúvio Vintage Port, marking only the fifth vintage of the micro-terroir wine.

Profile: A new era for Fells

Published: 09 April, 2024

Fells’ new MD catches up with Jo Gilbert on the company’s past, present and future, including its secret weapon.

As one of the longest-standing agent importers in the UK, Fells has a history that is almost very nearly unique. Like Mentzendorff, its biggest competitor, Fells happens to have been founded in 1858, before going on to represent the interests of a leading Port house.

New MD for Fells

Published: 11 January, 2024

Leading Port and wine distributor Fells has announced strategic changes to the top roles in its leadership team, with Euan Mackay taking on the mantle of MD and Steve Moody transitioning to chairman.

Paul Symington receives CMG at Windsor Castle

Published: 20 February, 2023

Paul Symington received the CMG (Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George) from His Majesty King Charles III at Windsor Castle on 14 February for services to UK/Portugal relations and to social and environmental sustainability in Portugal. The award was announced in Her Majesty the Queen’s last Birthday Honours list in the spring of 2022.

Symington taps into rebellious side for Port-inspired speakeasy

Published: 13 December, 2021

With the mantra of “not your grandfather’s port club”, Symington Family Estates has teamed up with Rebel Port Club to launch a speakeasy style pop-up experience in London aimed at initiating a new generation of port drinkers.

WSTA members call on Government to reconsider proposed duty hikes on Port and sherry

Published: 09 December, 2021

New Government legislation will mean an additional 13% price increase overnight added to every bottle of fortified wine entering the country come January of next year, according to Steve Moody, chairman of Fells, which counts the Ports of Symington Family Estates, Blandy’s Madeira and Barbadillo sherries in its portfolio.

Nowhere to hide

Published: 17 November, 2021

Wine and spirits are, at their heart, agricultural products, albeit given the somewhat magical twist of fermentation or distillation. Which means that any adverse affect from climate change can and will filter through to the final product, literally under the consumer’s nose, rather than just remaining a more peripheral concern in the wider world. Producers of wine especially are increasingly aware of what was described as an “existential threat” to their livelihoods, as outlined at a recent International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) seminar in London.

Symington Family Estates launches new ‘School of Port’ series

Published: 21 October, 2021

Symington Family Estates has launched a new video course ‘School of Port’, an online video course about port and the Douro.

Port: Weathering the Covid storm

Published: 24 November, 2020

The UK remains at the forefront of the premium Port category, with sales of late-bottled vintage (LBV), quality white Port, aged tawnies, single vineyard and classic vintage ports, all remaining resilient through Covid. A nation of consumers stuck at home, looking to indulge, appears to have been largely positive for the quality end of UK Port sales. Built on a long-standing relationship with the UK, sales at Symington Family Estates are up 10% by value and 9% by volume compared with this time last year.

Symington family pays tribute to “dedicated” Port maker, James Symington

Published: 16 November, 2020

Leading Port maker James Symington has passed away, leaving behind many decades’ worth of dedication to his and his family’s craft.

Symington announces vintage ports

Published: 14 April, 2020

The Symington Family has announced its 2018 vintage Ports - to be launched via live video presentation for the first time.

Symington reveals first wines made outside the Douro

Published: 29 May, 2019

The Symington family has launched the first wines from its new project at Quinta da Fonte Souto in the Portalegre sub-region of the Alentejo in southern Portugal.

Symington overhauls Dow’s to extend its appeal

Published: 22 November, 2018

Symington Family Estates has given its Dow’s Aged Tawny portfolio an overhaul in a bid to extend the Port’s appeal to a younger audience and beyond Christmas and formal occasions.

Douro harvest delivers quality on back of “absurdly low” yields

Published: 17 October, 2018

Following a year of challenging weather extremes, the Douro’s 2018 harvest has given up some “excellent Ports and Douro wines” according to Symington Family Estate’s annual harvest report.

Paul Symington to step down as chair

Published: 26 September, 2018

Paul Symington is stepping down as chairman of Symington Family Estates at the end of this year following a 40-year career in the family business.

Symington reports soaring 2016 Vintage Port sales

Published: 18 June, 2018

The Symington Family has reported ‘exceptionally strong’ demand for its 2016 Vintage Ports.

The resurgence of the port industry

Published: 01 June, 2018

At first glance, it appears to be a case of “same old story” when analysing port’s prospects in the UK. According to CGA Strategy, in the 12 months to February 24, 2018, port sales (by volume, 9-litre cases) decreased by more than 11%, falling 9.8% in value. Nielsen data concurs: retail sales declined by more than 2%, remaining static in MAT TY 142,687 % CHG VS value at £77 million (MAT to March 3, 2018).