Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA maps out UK visitor centres for thirsty ‘staycationers’

Published: 24 August, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has launched an interactive map of distilleries and wineries that are open to the public in the UK.

50 Best Indies count down

Published: 20 August, 2020

Harpers 50 Best Indies awards will be announced throughout the week of 7 to 11 September, culminating in a live webinar with the top 10 on the Friday.

Te Pā gains first major UK listing

Published: 13 August, 2020

Māori-run family estate te Pā has won its first major multiple listing with its Pā Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, which are bound for Tesco.

Pubs and restaurant group sales halve in first month back

Published: 13 August, 2020

Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups saw trading fall to just over half of ‘normal’ trading compared to the same month last year, data from CGA’s Coffer Peach Business Tracker has shown.

Relief as gin spared from US tariff hikes, but battle for Scotch continues

Published: 13 August, 2020

The US has backed down on its threat to expand a 16-year old trade fight with the European Union to impose tariffs on gin – a move which would have been “hugely detrimental” for the British alcohol industry.

Hospitality biggest casualty as record UK recession confirmed

Published: 12 August, 2020

Britain’s economy shrank by 20.4% in the three months to June 2020, marking the deepest contraction currently of any major economy, with the Accommodation & Food sectors among the hardest hit, slumping by 86.7%.

Eat out to help out totals 10.5m claims in its first week

Published: 12 August, 2020

UK diners have been quick to adopt the Treasury’s plan to boost the hospitality industry by taking advantage of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Covid-19 takes the fizz out of the UK sparkling market

Published: 12 August, 2020

The loss of celebratory drinking occasions has put the breaks on an already slowing thirst for sparkling wine in the UK, new research has revealed.

Kylie goes vintage with Benchmark expansion

Published: 12 August, 2020

International pop star Kylie Minogue is continuing to grow her presence in the UK wine aisles with the launch of a new 2019 Côtes de Provence rosé.

Bespoke lands Eat Spain Drink Spain account

Published: 11 August, 2020

Drinks-focused marketing agency Bespoke Drinks Media has won the account for the annual Eat Spain Drink Spain campaign.

Global online buying frenzy levelling out

Published: 11 August, 2020

The extraordinary upward curve in online wine and spirit sales appears to be flattening, suggests the latest data from Wine-Searcher.

Mud House pushes outdoors lifestyles in new global campaign

Published: 11 August, 2020

Leading NZ wine brand Mud House has launched a new global campaign titled ‘Taste the Adventure’.

Brave new cocktail world?

Published: 11 August, 2020

As consumers attempt to recreate a simplified on-trade experience in the home, which new trends and habits will remain post-lockdown? Lisa Riley reports.

Apothic adds first single-varietal to range

Published: 10 August, 2020

Premium Californian wine brand Apothic is to add its first single-varietal wine to its portfolio next month.

Second wave lockdown spreads from Manchester to Aberdeen

Published: 05 August, 2020

Aberdeen has become the latest city to suffer from a second spike in coronavirus cases, leading pubs and bars to close.

Soapbox: Five steps toward wine industry diversity

Published: 05 August, 2020

Black wine professional Magnavai Janjo urges the trade to swap discomfort for progressive conversation and sustainable steps towards greater inclusivity.

Premium spirits to defy Covid pressures

Published: 05 August, 2020

Premium-and-above spirits are forecasted to increase their global volume market share to 13% by 2024 as consumers continue to search for “authenticity and status”, according to the IWSR.

Casual Dining Group remerges from administration as The Big Table

Published: 03 August, 2020

Casual Dining Group (CDG), the failed restaurant group that owned the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge chains, has been rescued by private equity firm, saving 4,000 jobs across the UK and over 150 outlets.