Cambridge Wine's Hal Wilson leads the way and gets local MP to back Drop the Duty campaign

Leading independent wine merchant, Hal Wilson of Cambridge Wine Merchants, has shown the way forward by persuading his local MP to stand up for a drop in wine and spirits duty in March's Budget by writing to Chancellor, George Osborne calling for a change.

Wine merchant Vagabond secures third site

Independent London wine merchant Vagabond has secured its third site - in Old Spitalfields Market - and is planning to ramp up fundraising to open two to three new stores per year.

Enter Story Headline

UK's wine recession to end in 2015, says Vinexpo

UK wine consumption has fallen 10.5% per capita since the recession hit in 2008, but Vinexpo says the worst is over and wind drinking will start to edge up over the next five years.

Top-up shop and vloggers tipped as major trends for 2015, says Euromonitor

Euromonitor forecasts the rise of convenience shopping and the growing power of vloggers or "native influencers" as two consumer trends expected to grow in 2015 that could impact the drinks trade.

Copestick Murray to distribute advertising mogul Sir John Hegarty's wines

Copestick Murray was inspired by Bartle Bogle Hegarty co-founder Sir John Hegarty's 'no holds barred' keynote speech at the WSTA conference last year to sign a distribution deal for his wines in the UK and Ireland.

WSTA's Miles Beale urges all in UK drinks industry to help secure 2% cut in alcohol duty

Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, spells out today on Harpers.co.uk why it is so important everyone in the UK drinks industry plays their part in trying to secure a 2% drop in alcohol duty in the Budget in March.

GM Drinks shows how cash and carry sector can be key to future sales

GM Drinks has been in business for three years and is already distributing a million bottles a year. Richard Siddle talks to founder Marc Patch about succeeding in the cash-and-carry sector

March for the Independents campaign to put spotlight on wine merchants

Today Harpers is officially launching its most ambitious project yet to support and promote independent wine merchants. Here's how you can get involved in March for the Independents

New Street Wine Shop changes strategy by consumer demand

After two years of trading, London's New Street Wine Shop is thriving. But, as Richard Foster discovers, its customers have entirely up-ended the original business plan

Kingsland goes on the road to Edinburgh and Manchester to showcase its new wine range

Kingsland is to host two trade tastings in Edinburgh and Manchester later this month to showcase its range of wines, brands and the growing number of producers it is working with.

Independent wine merchants celebrate festive fillip

Independent wine merchants across the country are toasting a cracking December, with sales up across the board.

March for The Independents campaign gathers momentum for national conference on March 3

Harpers new campaign to help support and put the spotlight on independent wine merchants is gathering momentum as leading independents line up to take part in a dedicated one day conference in London on March 3.

International wine trade pays tribute following the death of Château Musar's Serge Hochar

The international wine trade has united today to pay its respects to the legendary Lebanese winemaker, Serge Hochar, of Château Musar, who died over the new year.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Doug Wood of WoodWinters

Doug Wood, owner of Scottish independent merchant WoodWinters, lets off steam about supermarkets, credit control and 'parasitic internet-only' retailers, while looking forward to lots of Christmas presents from staff.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: John McLaren

John McLaren, UK director of the Wine Institute of California, on how the UK has changed to become a fresh land of opportunity for Californian producers, how it's in a 'holding pattern' with grocers, and why he 'may scream' if he's told to 'engage with consumers' again.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Cambridge Wine Company's Hal Wilson

Hal Wilson, managing director of independent merchant Cambridge Wine Company, gives us the low-down on opening a new wine bar, Cahors wines making a comeback and why he's watching this space with Philglas & Swiggot.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fear for 2015: Direct Wine Shipments Neal McAlindon

Neal McAlindon, director at Belfast's Direct Wine Shipments, tells Harpers.co.uk why 2014 has been another good year, despite tricky market conditions in Northern Ireland.

Harpers launches March for Independents conference and campaign to support merchants

In a bid to put the spotlight firmly on the independent merchant sector Harpers is to launch a campaign in the new year designed to highlight the issues facing retailers which will build up to a major independent merchant conference in London on March 3.

Still time to test your knowledge and take the Harpers Quizmas Quiz Challenge!

There has been a lot going on over the last 12 months and it can be hard to keep up with the latest news, views and opinions in the UK wine and spirits sector. So why not find out how much you remember or what caught your attention in 2014 by taking part in our fun Harpers Quizmas Quiz Challenge.