Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Frazer Thompson steps down from Chapel Down

Published: 02 August, 2021

Chapel Down has announced its succession plan after it was revealed that current CEO Frazer Thompson will be stepping down from the role after 20 years.

Trivento takes the top spot for Argentine wine

Published: 22 July, 2021

Concha y Toro's Trivento is celebrating becoming the leading Argentine wine brand in the world, with sales of over US$256.2m a year according to a new report from the IWSR.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Seeing the big picture is more essential than ever

Published: 22 July, 2021

Many decades ago, I studied economics at university. The difference between theory and practice bothered me. All too often the first didn’t seem to describe the latter, let alone explain it. The problem was usually people – they simply didn’t behave as the theory said they should.

Oz wine exports to UK highest in a decade

Published: 21 July, 2021

Australian wine exports to the UK reached their highest level in a decade during the 2020–21 financial year, according to the latest Wine Australia Export Report released today.

Wine: A circular sensation?

Published: 21 July, 2021

Having hosted the ‘Can wine be part of the circular economy?’ debate at the London Wine Fair, Jamie Goode reports back on the sustainability issues in wine packaging.

Clubs hit back over Covid passports

Published: 20 July, 2021

The late-night sector has reacted with anger over the introduction of mandatory Covid passports from September, with Michael Kill of the Night Time Industries Association, branding it “an absolute shambles”.

Freedom Day sees long-awaited return of late-night economy

Published: 19 July, 2021

The UK is celebrating the final end of the restrictions on hospitality today (July 19), with just under 12,000 venues finally able to open their doors after being shuttered since the first quarter of 2020.

France's great digital shift

Published: 14 July, 2021

A new breed of French digital-solution companies is helping the country’s producers embrace online. Jo Gilbert reports

Talking up organic

Published: 13 July, 2021

Argentina is well placed to lead the charge in organic wines, with Malbec as an ever-popular ‘in’. Harpers talks to a couple of pioneers who are determined to make this happen

Fruit focus ramps up viticulture-related content

Published: 12 July, 2021

The NFU's Fruit Focus, the leading UK fruit grower event, is teed up to offer several sessions relevant to English and Welsh grape growers during its day-long event on 21 July.

Majestic heads North for the first time in almost a decade

Published: 12 July, 2021

Majestic Wine has put an end to almost decade-long hiatus in investment in the north of England with a new store opening in the historic market town of Knutsford.

Cartuxa joins Mentzendorff

Published: 12 July, 2021

Mentzendorff has taken on historic Alentejan brand Cartuxa, one of the oldest brands in Portugal.

On-demand wine app spearhead's hybrid wine bar roll out across UK

Published: 08 July, 2021

An on-demand wine app offering one-hour delivery of artisan wines is to be rolled out across the UK, anchored by a planned 85 hybrid wine bar and retail stores operating as local delivery hubs.

Soapbox: Bordeaux’s cold war

Published: 08 July, 2021

Château Bauduc owner Gavin Quinney ponders an intractable issue for frost-impacted producers up against the strictures of Bordeaux

Self-isolation rules discriminate against young workers

Published: 07 July, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that delays to the end of self-isolation rules will put additional pressures on a hospitality industry which is being crippled by staff shortages, as the government confirmed that rules around isolating at home for those who aren’t double-jabbed will continue until next month.

Profile: Caroline Thompson-Hill, Accolade Wines Europe

Published: 06 July, 2021

Caroline Thompson-Hill, MD for Europe at Accolade Wines, is determined to lead from the front in terms of creating a sustainable and diverse business which keeps a keen eye on consumer-driven trends. By Jo Gilbert

Harpers Wine Stars 2021: Australia

Published: 05 July, 2021

Highlighting the people and places wowing the judges in the Harpers Wine Stars Awards.

Cask whisky specialist eyes Asian market

Published: 05 July, 2021

London-based Cask Trade is opening an outpost in Hong Kong following an “unprecedented” spike in demand from the region.

Full on-trade reopening widely tipped for 19 July

Published: 05 July, 2021

QR codes and test and trace, compulsory mask-wearing and the one metre rule are all likely to go in England on 19 July, allowing pubs, bars and restaurants to operate at full capacity and their customers to mingle freely.

Rioja extends reach to restaurants for October celebration

Published: 01 July, 2021

Spain’s flagship region is launching Rioja Wine Month this October, inviting restaurants to join with independent merchants in a UK-wide promotion ahead of the Christmas trading period.