Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

London Wine Fair to embrace hybrid model in 2022

Published: 13 January, 2022

The organisers of London Wine Fair (LWF) have confirmed that the landmark event will adopt a new format this year.

Prosecco opens doors for Italy

Published: 12 January, 2022

David Kermode delves into the world of Italian sparklers as the category covers new ground, from the march of rosé Prosecco to the increasingly popular high-quality fizzes of Franciacorta and Trento.

WSET appoints Brampton as new CEO

Published: 11 January, 2022

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has appointed Michelle Brampton as its new CEO, replacing the incumbent Ian Harris, who will step down on 15 April.

Help Platinum Jubilee celebrations to boost hospitality, urges UKH

Published: 10 January, 2022

As plans are drawn up for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June, UKHospitality has petitioned the government to extend the UK's normal licensing hours during the bank holiday weekend.

Hospitality sales rebound in late December

Published: 10 January, 2022

Consumer footfall across the UK’s hospitality sector increased between Christmas and New Year, according to the latest CGA Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Ehrmanns founder Peter Dauthieu passes away

Published: 07 January, 2022

The chairman and founder of import business Ehrmanns sadly died just before Christmas, aged 77.

SPAR launches new range of vegan wines

Published: 07 January, 2022

SPAR has become the first UK grocer to market a range of private label vegan wines, including a vegan Prosecco and SPAR Vine & Bloom rosé.

English sparkling wine brand achieves 'B Corporation' certification

Published: 06 January, 2022

A niche sparkling wine brand, The Uncommon, has become the first UK wine business to be certified as B Corp.

Sparkling wine delivered bumper Christmas sales

Published: 06 January, 2022

The sparkling wine category was the clear winner of the Christmas retail bonanza, with both merchants and analysts reporting bumper sales.

BWS retail sales decline in December 2021

Published: 05 January, 2022

Overall retail sales of beers, wines and spirits fell in the month of December, when benchmarked against Christmas 2020, though spending remained higher than it was pre-pandemic.

Chile tasting postponed as other physical January trade events hang in the balance

Published: 05 January, 2022

Wines of Chile has postponed its 13 January showcase tasting in London, with several other organisers of tastings this month also understood to be considering whether to still go ahead.

Consumer interest in no and low products surging

Published: 05 January, 2022

One in three UK drinkers now regularly choose low or no alcohol brands, according to a new survey commissioned by the Portman Group.

Accolade launches Wine On Tap (WOT)

Published: 05 January, 2022

Australian multinational Accolade has unveiled a new range of varietal wines packaged in large format sustainable boxes.

New Generation adds Champagne Carbon to its portfolio

Published: 04 January, 2022

Wine importer and wholesaler New Generation has become the exclusive agents of Champagne Carbon, a niche brand created by Alexandre Méa.

Online uplift to grow

Published: 23 December, 2021

Ecommerce is to remain a key driver of value growth in global alcoholic drinks markets, with wine to the fore. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Hospitality underwhelmed by Chancellor's £1bn rescue package

Published: 22 December, 2021

Businesses are split in their response to the Treasury's £1 billion support package, with enthusiasm from some quarters, while others have claimed that the amount “borders on insulting”.

Jerry Lockspeiser: On Jeremy Clarkson, margins and the ‘middleman’ dog whistle

Published: 22 December, 2021

In case anyone missed it, Jeremy Clarkson has recently launched his own beer brand, Hawkstone. The lager is made with barley grown on his Cotswolds farm. Exposed to the workings of the supply chain, Clarkson was reportedly aghast at the difference between the £205 per tonne he received for his barley and the £580 paid by the brewers to the middleman.

Yuletide cheer

Published: 22 December, 2021

With supply and delivery issues forcing indies to be nimble and imaginative for the Christmas rush, Andrew Catchpole asked a trio of merchants how they prepared for the festive sales spike in such an unpredictable year.