Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

China and the US drive boom in global premium wine consumption

Published: 13 March, 2019

Wine priced between $10 and $20 will be the biggest driver of value growth for still and sparkling wine over the next couple of years.

Jeroboams and Rick Stein raise £5,000 toast to The Benevolent

Published: 12 March, 2019

Jeroboams, Château d’Yquem and Rick Stein have raised an impressive charitable sum thanks to an experimental evening pairing fine wines of Bordeaux with the "best of British” seafood.

UK tops value increase for German wine exports

Published: 12 March, 2019

Quality Riesling appears to be on a roll, with the average price paid for exported German wine breaking records in 2018, while UK consumer thirst drove the biggest value increase of any export territory, according to German Wine Institute (DWI) figures.

Climate change leaving Beaujolais in fear of being priced out of the market by cereal and milk

Published: 11 March, 2019

The temperature is rising in Beaujolais, leaving producers to worry their products will be edged out of consumers’ repertoires by rival crops.

Armit backs Italy with several new agency partnerships

Published: 07 March, 2019

Armit Wines is flexing its muscles in its Italian portfolio, having added several new producers through agencies or partner agencies.

UK and non-EU workers plugging London’s hospitality recruitment gap

Published: 06 March, 2019

Workers from the UK and outside the UK are picking up the slack from the declining number of EU nationals applying to work in hospitality jobs in the UK.

Amathus strengthens Priorat and Montsant

Published: 06 March, 2019

Amathus Drinks has expanded its Spanish portfolio with the addition of two new Catalonian producers: Celler l’Encastell from Priorat and Celler Masroig from Montsant.

Aperol continues to lead the way for Campari Group

Published: 05 March, 2019

The demand for Italian aperitifs is still going strong, after sales of Aperol jumped 56% in the UK last year.

Portman group tackles ‘offensive marketing’ in sixth code of practice

Published: 05 March, 2019

UK alcohol regulator the Portman Group has updated its packaging and promotional guidance for society’s evolving standards, including a new rule around ‘offence’.

Carluccio’s boss calls out casual dining operators for aggressive expansion plans

Published: 04 March, 2019

Carluccio’s CEO has criticised the UK restaurant sector for focusing on “capex-heavy investments” – the same focus which almost brought the chain to brink of collapse last year.

France versus Italy: why the French are winning the aperitif game

Published: 01 March, 2019

This year marks 100 years since the birth of the new king of the cocktail world. Named after a thirsty Count who requested gin rather than soda water to be added to his favourite tipple, the negroni has played the long game, delighting drinkers with simple balance of Campari, sweet Italian vermouth, and of course, the juniper-based spirit. Today, it is number one cocktail served with gin – even more popular than the martini.

WSTA and LWF reveal results of UK importers Brexit survey

Published: 28 February, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed the results of a survey carried out at its recent roundtable, held in partnership with the London Wine Fair (LWF), looking ahead to the potential effects of various Brexit outcomes on the trade.

South America pips Italy into second place for UK drinkers

Published: 21 February, 2019

There has been a shift at the top of the UK’s hotly contested wine rankings, with the combined sales of South American heavyweights Chile and Argentina overtaking Italy, the UK’s second most quaffed region, in terms of value.

Single site Sicilian range Mandrarossa makes it to Liberty Wines

Published: 21 February, 2019

Liberty Wines is swelling the ranks of its Sicilian portfolio with new producer, Mandrarossa.

Chancellor’s wine hikes to go live at midnight

Published: 01 February, 2019

The wine industry is being warned to prepare for today’s rise in duty, which will push up a bottle of still wine by 7p to £2.23 overnight.

Q&A: Piotr Pietras MS, independent wine consultant and SITT On-Trade Ambassador

Published: 28 January, 2019

Piotr Pietras MS, former director of wine at London’s Hide, has taken on the newly-created role of on-trade ambassador for SITT (Specialist Importer Trade Tastings). Harpers caught up with him about his plans for the role and for tips on the on-trade wine scene too.

UK still ‘litmus test’ as global benchmark for wine brands

Published: 28 January, 2019

The UK market continues to be the shop window for the world of wine, with the on-trade driving premium sales.

Ruinart offers once in a lifetime trip to top UK sommelier

Published: 23 January, 2019

Time is running out to sign up for the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2019, which will result in one young UK-based sommelier heading on an all-expenses paid trip to Champagne.