Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Champagne Ruinart unveils 2016 sommelier Challenge

Published: 17 March, 2016

Champagne Ruinart has announced the details of its Ruinart Challenge 2016, aimed at identifying the most talented young sommeliers from around the world.

Openings: The Fizzy Tart

Published: 11 March, 2016

Stephen Hargreaveas, the chief executive officer of The Cranleigh Boutique, a company focused on high-end luxury sites is opening the first of two luxury bars located in the Lake District called the Fizzy Tart.

UK sales of sparkling wines hit £1 billion for first time

Published: 11 March, 2016

Sales of sparking wines in the UK - excluding Champagne - hit £1 billion for the first time in 2015, according to figures released today by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

California, Oregon and Washington wines shine at Go West Tasting

Published: 11 March, 2016

At yesterday's Go West! annual tasting California, Oregon and Washington wines emphasised that wines from west coast of the USA are gaining traction in the UK market.

Openings: Barrio South

Published: 10 March, 2016

Barrio Bars, the quirky South-American cocktail bar chain, is continuing to expand across London and is adding a fourth location in Brixton, is set to open this month.

Premium Malfy GDQI aims to bring Italian sunshine to UK gin category

Published: 10 March, 2016

Premium Italian gin Malfy GQDI has launched in the UK - backed the claim that Italy is the true homeland of gin.

Matthew Clark's annual tasting draws a record number of attendees

Published: 10 March, 2016

Matthew Clark's annual portfolio tasting held this week at London's Tobacco Dock drew a crowd and saw visitors numbers soar 40% over last year's attendance numbers.

Funkin partners with Cocktail Trading Co on Cocktails in the City serve

Published: 09 March, 2016

Cocktail-mixer producer Funkin is partnering with the Cocktail Trading Co on a new cocktail at this year's Cocktails in the City event in London.

What the Living Wage means for the trade

Published: 08 March, 2016

We all need to earn enough to survive. But the Chancellor's introduction of a Living Wage, announced last year and to be introduced this April, has proved controversial

The problem with mark-up madness in the on-trade

Published: 04 March, 2016

I love Riesling. I'll always buy it in the supermarket, I will always look out for it in restaurants and I'll always seek it out wherever I go.

Gatwick targets premium gin market with unique on-site distillery and bar

Published: 02 March, 2016

Gatwick's North Terminal has opened what is believed to be the world's first on-site airport gin distillery and bar.

German Pinots thriving ahead of 2016 promotional drive

Published: 29 February, 2016

Wines of Germany is planning a major promotional push on Pinot wines this year, as data from Neilsen confirms huge UK growth over the past year.

Ron Zacapa celebrates art of slow dining at Lee Westcott's Typing Room

Published: 24 February, 2016

Premium rum brand Ron Zacapa is partnering with leading young London chef Lee Westcott to create a food-and-drink pairing menu that celebrates slow dining.

Matthew Clark partners with Marco Pierre White for 2016 tasting

Published: 23 February, 2016

Legendary British chef Marco Pierre White will be joining leading UK on-trade distributor Matthew Clark at its Discover Love Inspire trade tasting on March 8.

Walker & Wodehouse and Vagabond Wines to mark anniversary of Maule earthquake

Published: 23 February, 2016

Wine merchant, Walker & Wodehouse has partnered with independent retailer, Vagabond Wines, to celebrate the first wines from the Ploughmen Project, which arose in response to the Chilean earthquake of February 27, 2010.

Legendary London wine bar The City Flogger set to reopen

Published: 23 February, 2016

Famous City of London wine bar The City Flogger is set to reopen next week on a new site.

Bulleit partners with Hop House 13 for London Beer Week

Published: 22 February, 2016

Kentucky bourbon brand Bulleit is partnering with Hop House 13 Lager, as an official boilermaker sponsor for London Beer Week.

Connoisseur Estates to unveil new M?ori winery at SITT

Published: 19 February, 2016

UK wine agency Connoisseur Estates is to launch its latest premium wine signing, New Zealand producer Tohu, at SITT in Manchester and London next week.

Think Gin award nominations revealed

Published: 19 February, 2016

The shortlists have been announced for the second annual Think Gin awards, which will be held in London on March 1.

Real Wine Fair biggest event to date set for April

Published: 17 February, 2016

The Real Wine Fair is shaping up to be the largest fair yet with 160 growers from 15 countries set to show over 700 wines at the Tobacco Dock on 17 - 18 April, 2016.