Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Rooftop bar to offer 360° views of London

Published: 11 May, 2022

WAGTAIL ROOFTOP BAR AND RESTAURANT

Portman Group takes a hard line on hard seltzers

Published: 31 March, 2022

The Portman Group today issued updated guidance to drinks companies on the fast-growing hard seltzer category, after research found there is low understanding among consumers that the drink is alcoholic.

Hospitality sector urges government to stall VAT hike in April

Published: 08 February, 2022

In a campaign organised by UKHospitality, more than 250 business leaders from the service and leisure industries have written to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, urging the government to keep VAT at 12.5% beyond March 2022.

Arc Inspirations secures financial backing for expansion

Published: 31 January, 2022

Leading bar and restaurant operator Arc Inspirations has signed an agreement with HSBC to borrow £5m, allowing the company to fulfil its plans for expansion and growth.

Champagne Castelnau and Nicolas Feuillatte finalise merger deal

Published: 17 December, 2021

Two of Champagne’s most important cooperatives reached an historic agreement this week, creating a powerful new stakeholder in the region.

Boparan group achieves carbon neutral certification

Published: 07 December, 2021

Every brand owned and operated by the Boparan Restaurant Group has been certified as carbon neutral by Carbon Neutral Britain, after offsetting all their direct emissions.

Fellows of New Zealand Winegrowers announced for 2021

Published: 03 December, 2021

The New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has unveiled the recipients of its Fellows award, which recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the New Zealand wine industry.

Chilean multinational furthers sustainability drive

Published: 25 November, 2021

One of South America's largest wine producers has introduced a new set of sustainability requirements, including stringent rules pertaining to bottling and packaging.

Calorie labelling on alcoholic drinks gains pace

Published: 25 November, 2021

The latest market review released by the Portman Group has shown that almost half (47%) of alcoholic drinks sold in the UK now feature calorie information on labels, despite no legal requirement to do so.

CGA report hints at hospitality recovery

Published: 15 November, 2021

New data released by CGA Strategy offers a glimpse of a beleaguered industry in resurgence, with total sales rising in Britain's managed pubs, restaurants and bars.

Circle of Wine Writers to continue online training programmes in 2022

Published: 12 November, 2021

The Circle of Wine Writers has revealed that it is to carry on into 2022 with its regular programme of Let’s talk about… webinars and Let’s taste… web-based tastings.

Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino three new Caballeros

Published: 25 October, 2021

Three new Caballeros have been invested into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino (GOVC).

Wine Drinkers UK call for wine duty freeze

Published: 07 October, 2021

A combination of climate change, labour shortages and increased shipping costs are threatening Britain’s wine supplies, with price rises likely to follow, Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) has claimed.

New vocational hardship initiative launched by The Drinks Trust

Published: 05 October, 2021

The Drinks Trust has unveiled the launch of a new vocational hardship initiative called Develop, a scheme designed to lift people out of long-term hardship and help tackle the staff and skill shortage in the drinks hospitality sector.

DHL acquires logistics firm JF Hillebrand

Published: 19 August, 2021

A major force in global wine shipping has been purchased by the Deutsche Post (DPDHL) Group for approximately €1.5 billion.

Portman research predicts “cautious return” to pubs post lockdown

Published: 08 April, 2021

Pubgoers look set to tailor some of their pre-pandemic drinking behaviours once restrictions ease, the Portman Group has said, with many planning to drink less when they return to the on-trade post-lockdown.

New CEO for Portman Group

Published: 02 December, 2020

The Portman Group has appointed Matt Lambert as its new CEO.

GBK follows Carluccio’s to Boparan following Covid squeeze

Published: 14 October, 2020

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), owner of Carluccio’s, has acquired burger brand Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), saving 35 trading sites national-wide.

New complaints panel chair joins The Portman Group

Published: 14 October, 2020

The Portman Group has revealed the new chair of its Independent Complaints Panel (ICP), continuing to set out a new era of leadership for the UK’s regulatory body.

Profile: John Timothy, The Portman Group

Published: 14 October, 2020

Health rose to the top of the agenda at the beginning of 2020 in a way we’ve never seen before. Jo Gilbert speaks to the face of alcohol responsibility in the UK about meeting this challenge