Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Soft drinks come of age

Published: 14 July, 2020

As the Coronavirus crisis fuels interest in health and wellness, Lucy Britner examines the future of functional drinks in a post-pandemic world

On-trade ‘test and trace’ guidance published

Published: 03 July, 2020

As pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés re-boot from 4 July, the new NHS Test and Trace guidance will mean that venues should maintain records of staff, customers and visitors, and share these with the health service if requested.

"Hammer blow" to on-trade from Covid-19, report predicts

Published: 03 June, 2020

Drinking occasions have "been dealt a hammer blow” a new report into the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on consumer markets has concluded.

Innovation Report: Boundary-crossing beverages

Published: 01 June, 2020

Drinks companies are stepping out when it comes to the no and low category. Lucy Britner looks at some of the more innovative offers.

The Drinks Trust wellness services

Published: 21 May, 2020

The Drinks Trust has launched a number of new services focusing on improving the mental health of the industry and supporting them through what has been a troubling time for many.

Industry petitions government not to wash its hands of responsibility on venue closures

Published: 17 March, 2020

The trade can now sign a petition that is urging the government to take urgent to action to provide financial and practical advice for the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants.

Coronavirus: Don’t leave pubs and bars in “limbo”

Published: 17 March, 2020

The industry is galvanising its voices to urge the Prime Minister to take decisive action at this afternoon’s coronavirus briefing after pubs, bars and restaurants are left in “limbo” just as the outbreak looks set to take hold in the UK.

FSA releases stark warning to CBD producers targeting pregnant women and vulnerable people

Published: 13 February, 2020

The Food Standards Authority (FSA) has broken its silence on CBD to issue a statement urging businesses to be upfront about potential health risks and suitability for vulnerable groups.

Avoiding the low/no Frankenwine monster

Published: 09 December, 2019

In the battle for low/no customers, Frankenstein wine may not be the answer, writes Chris Losh

Jerry Lockspeiser: Is this wine’s fake news?

Published: 16 August, 2019

August is traditionally silly season in the media. Nothing serious happens, so they entertain us with the frivolities of life. This year is a little different.

China’s fast evolving taste for wine

Published: 13 June, 2019

Younger Chinese consumers are radically reshaping China’s wine market as trends paralleling those in the West gain ground, but with greater speed.

The end of sex, drugs…and alcohol?

Published: 23 April, 2019

The brains behind synthetic alternative Alcosynth say they’re five years from hitting the market and revolutionising the alcohol industry. Is this really the future, asks Jo Gilbert?

Wine in the firing line

Published: 21 March, 2019

The modern world changes fast. In the past decade, we have gone from a situation of blithely choking on carbon monoxide from second-hand smoke every time we enter a pub or restaurant to a virtual ghettoisation of cigarettes. Before the ban most people would have thought this inconceivable. But it happened.

Hospitality and health

Published: 28 January, 2019

As Healthy Hospo marks its first anniversary, the movement for a healthier on-trade continues to grow apace.

Decrease in irresponsible drinking, confirms NHS survey

Published: 05 December, 2018

The latest Health Survey for England has revealed a decline in UK adults drinking harmful levels of alcohol.

French winemakers up in arms over plan that could lead to health warnings on bottles

Published: 21 February, 2018

French winemakers are up in arms over the French government’s plan to curb excessive alcohol consumption, which may lead to health warnings on wine bottles.

Portman Group rebuts claim it advised removal of CMO guidance as RSPH pushes hard hitting labelling

Published: 26 January, 2018

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) has released proposals for a hard-hitting new alcohol labelling scheme in the face of what it describes as an “alcohol health awareness vacuum”.

Supreme Court clears path for 50p-per-unit minimum pricing in Scotland

Published: 15 November, 2017

Scotland is set to become the first country to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol after the UK Supreme Court rejected a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).