Insights: Focus on fizz

Drawing on sparkling wine research carried out with Wines Direct, Harpers assesses the state of play

Europe ups its craft game as new leader of NPD

Europe is reclaiming its reputation as the hub of the beer world as it overtakes the US as the biggest driver of NPD in the craft segment. Jo Gilbert looks at the re-emergence of the world’s oldest beer market.

Ban on post duty point dilution could hammer British made and low abv wine

A change to legislation in the 2018 Budget policy document could have a significant impact on products made from concentrate in the UK, including British made wine, low abv wines, RTDs, sherry-style drinks and flavoured ciders – anything which is diluted after fermentation.

Pernod Ricard looks to Canada for latest premium gin

Pernod Ricard UK is further expanding the top end of its gin portfolio with leading Canadian brand Ungava.

Black Tower chooses low cal range for new campaign

Leading German brand Black Tower has announced it will be highlighting its low calorie range ahead of the festive season with a new neck collar campaign.

UK the fourth most expensive EU country to buy alcohol and tobacco in

The UK has been pinpointed as the fourth most costly country in the EU when it comes to buying alcohol and tobacco.

Missed opportunity: What a rise with inflation means for the UK wine trade

Pub landlords and spirits importers will be breathing a sigh of relief this morning, but not the nation’s wine trade – which is looking at an extra £90 million bill in duty next year.

Artadi joins Pol Roger

Pol Roger Portfolio has announced it will be distributing the wines of Spanish producer Bodegas Artadi, bringing the full range to the UK from November 1.

Low disease pressure and minimal intervention casts warm glow over UK wine industry

Demand for craft spirits in the US shows no sign of slowing

The appetite for craft spirits in the United States - arguably the nation behind the boom in craft drinks worldwide - still packs a major punch new research suggests. 

Maison Sichel teams up with Davy’s for latest promotion in “bedrock” indie trade

Bordeaux stalwarts Maison Sichel has revealed its annual promotion will be heading to Davy’s Wine Merchants this year for the 2018 Sichel Independents Initiative.

Sponsored profile: Q&A with Joao Prates, NERVIR Association

Soul Wines is an innovatve new intiative bringing together tradtional Douro producing families to give them gerater visibility on the international market. Joao Prates explains the big idea


What is Soul Wines and what are the ambitions of the Project?

Things hotting up for English wine following record-breaking summer

Producers are calling 2018’s harvest the “harvest of the century” after unusually warm climes descended on Britain this summer and autumn.

Think Whisky 2018: Wising up to whisky

Despite being the second biggest spirits category in the UK, accounting for 21% of sales (Nielsen/CGA, year to June 2018), big opportunities exist for whisk(e)y if it can grow engagement with women and younger adults, who currently shy away from the category.

South African producers thirst for English fizz

Two prominent South African wine estates are adding to the roster of overseas interest in English winemaking with plans to produce sparkling wine in the UK, Harpers has learned.

Rioja 10x10 to make a triumphant return

Harpers is once again partnering with Rioja 10x10, bringing yet great opportunity to discover of Rioja’s top wines and key trends.

Oxford, Cambridge and Hennings ramp up joint buying initiative with first own label release

What do The Oxford Wine Company, Cambridge Wine Merchants and Hennings Wine have in common?

Tim Atkin MW: Critical times for Argentina

Every year at the end of my tour of Argentina, I sit down with Dr Nicolas Catena of Bodega Catena Zapata. He wants to talk about wine – new bodegas and regions, the latest vintage – while I want to talk about economics, his speciality. Before he became one of the leading figures in the Argentinian wine industry, Catena was a top academic and is still enormously perceptive.

UK one of the most “mature” markets for alcohol online, despite accounting for less than 10% of sales

The UK is at the forefront of selling wine online thanks to well-established specialist wine retailers such as Majestic and The Wine Society, new research has revealed.

Harpers Wine Stars goes live online

Our brand new website for Harpers Wine Stars has launched, making it easier than ever to be in with a chance of grabbing one of our fantastic buyer-focused awards.