Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Saunders wins chairman role at WSTA

Published: 28 June, 2019

Michael Saunders, chief executive of Bibendum PLB, has been appointed by the WSTA as its new chairman. He takes over from outgoing chairman, Dan Jago.

Winetraders signs up Hampshire’s Exton Park

Published: 28 June, 2019

Winetraders has expanded its listings with the addition of English sparkling wine producer Exton Park.

Lebanon goes back to its roots with 100% Merwah and less focus on “blingy reds”

Published: 27 June, 2019

Lebanese winemakers are delving into their history, and are now ready to expand their repertoire from "extracted, luxurious reds” to indigenous whites and terroir-driven styles, an expert on the country has said.

Soave’s top sites upgraded to crus

Published: 06 June, 2019

The Italian Ministry of Agriculture has officially recognised 33 cru vineyards in Soave, following an 18-year “zoning” project by the region’s consorzio.

Tim Atkin MW: Why wines from Tenerife are special

Published: 06 June, 2019

“You’re joking,” said María Hontoria, the oenologist from the governing Cabildo de Tenerife. “I thought everyone from the UK had been here.” Her surprise was justified. Nearly six million tourists visit each year and more than a third are Brits. Tenerife is package-tour central, served by dozens of airlines bringing holidaymakers to resorts such as Playa de los Américas, but it’s also much more: a beautiful island with an intriguing history, stunning landscapes and some of Spain’s most exciting wines.

Alcohol sales fall worldwide, but with recovery to follow, predicts the IWSR

Published: 31 May, 2019

Global alcohol consumption fell back by 1.6% in 2018, according to new data from the IWSR, with some 27.6 billion nine-litre cases being consumed.

Bacchus symposium de-codes potential of English wine’s “flag bearer”

Published: 30 May, 2019

Experimentation is the key to unlocking the potential of Bacchus, which is fast becoming a “flag bearer” for English wine, industry experts have said.

UK retains top five status as global market for still and sparkling imports

Published: 22 May, 2019

The UK remains the world’s second biggest importer of still and sparkling wine, analysts have confirmed - despite the era of high volume wine sales being “over for good”.

Plumpton: A new wine epicentre

Published: 16 May, 2019

As the founder of Plumpton College’s wine division prepares to depart for pastures new, Jo Gilbert finds out what the future holds for this rapidly evolving institution.

UK leads the ‘non-alc’ sector with 271 premium launches in the past year

Published: 15 May, 2019

The UK is at the forefront of innovation in the ‘what to drink when you’re not drinking’ sector, new research has found – ahead of usual trendsetter, the US.

WoSA announces UK’s first South African Wine Festival

Published: 15 May, 2019

Wines of South Africa (WoSA) is set to run its first South African Wine Festival in the UK.

Bibendum-PLB takes trophy at annual Santa Rita Arsenal event

Published: 15 May, 2019

The annual Santa Rita 120 Arsenal Experience was won this year by a team from Bibendum-PLB.

WSTA challenges Gove over proposed deposit return scheme

Published: 14 May, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called on Michael Gove, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, to exclude glass from a proposed deposit return scheme (DRS) aimed at reducing the use of plastic in packaging.

CIVB brings pop-up bar to Bristol

Published: 14 May, 2019

The Conseil Interprofessionnel Du Vin De Bordeaux (CIVB) is to open its pop-up Bar Bordeaux in Bristol at the end of May – the first to be held outside London.

Skinny Prosecco founders launch vegan, no-alcohol fizz

Published: 14 May, 2019

This month will see the launch of the UK’s first organic, vegan, alcohol-free sparkling wine, its producers claim.

‘Temperature crisis’ could lead to a major re-shuffle of global wine production and demand

Published: 13 May, 2019

Vinegrowing and winemaking worldwide could look very different in the next 30 years, a climate change expert has announced, as the planet accelerates towards a temperature crisis fifty years earlier than expected.

UK independent distilleries break £2bn barrier

Published: 13 May, 2019

Sales for the UK’s independent spirits distilleries exceeded £2 billion for the first time last year, according to research from private equity house Growthdeck.

People's Choice Awards recognises women-driven wines

Published: 03 May, 2019

A wine competition judged by consumers has added a new category to highlight the contributions of female winemakers.

LWF fees came from “aggrieved” exhibitors

Published: 02 May, 2019

The London Wine Fair’s boss has come out in defence of the decision to charge certain visitors to this year’s show, saying the decision came from consultations with “several long-standing exhibitors, who were aggrieved that competitive businesses were not taking a stand yet attending the show en masse with a view to trading”.