Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Hoxton Spirits beefs up its range

Published: 08 February, 2023

Hoxton Spirits, the artisan brand founded by Gerry Calabrese, has launched three new labels: Hoxton London Spritz, Hoxton Spiced Whisky and a classic London Dry gin.

Soapbox: The need to reuse and refill

Published: 15 December, 2022

Muriel Chatel, CEO of Sustainable Wine Solutions, is conducting a pilot with restaurants to prove that most bottles can be saved from waste and reused or upcycled. Here, she makes the case for large-scale refill and reuse

Millennial fallout threatens premiumisation

Published: 13 December, 2022

A major shift in premiumisation trends is about to occur, new analysis from the IWSR has concluded, as millennials and those who enjoyed greater discretionary spend during the pandemic feel the strain of a new period of economic instability and stagnation.

The era of economic moderation is here, as inflation finally bites

Published: 07 December, 2022

Premiumisation was an ongoing trend in wines and spirits during the first half of 2022 as consumers leaned into little luxuries, new data has revealed. However, as we teeter on the brink of global recession, it is increasingly clear that consumers are holding back on their drinks purchases – a trend that could be particularly acute in the UK, where both intensifying economic gloom and rising inflation is threatening to ‘derail premiumisation’.

Drinks hold out over food in cost-of-living crisis

Published: 28 September, 2022

On-trade drinking occasions are holding up despite the cost-of-living crisis, according to drinks insights agency, Proof Insight.

Talking heads: Oz is back in style

Published: 23 August, 2022

Producers and importers share with James Bayley their thoughts on the hot trends with Oz wines shaping Australia’s present and future offer in the UK market.

Journey’s End teams up with Ingham to launch sustainable ‘punk’ wine brand

Published: 01 August, 2022

Wine trade veteran buyer Andrew Ingham is to launch an innovative new range in collaboration with Cape winery Journey’s End this autumn.

The drinks trend casualties in the cost-of-living crisis

Published: 30 June, 2022

As we hover on the edge of a possible recession, with inflation reaching a 40-year year high in June, it’s no surprise that UK consumers are tightening their belts.

Garda DOC Consortium seeks higher profile in UK market

Published: 09 May, 2022

The president of the Garda DOC Consortium, Paolo Fiorini, has announced plans to raise awareness of the region’s wines in the UK, following a study undertaken by Wine Intelligence.

Delivery slips as consumers return to eating out

Published: 26 April, 2022

Britain’s managed restaurant and pub groups’ delivery and takeaway sales remain more than double pre-Covid-19 levels – but trading has dipped year-on-year as consumers resume their out-of-home eating habits.

Portman Group takes a hard line on hard seltzers

Published: 31 March, 2022

The Portman Group today issued updated guidance to drinks companies on the fast-growing hard seltzer category, after research found there is low understanding among consumers that the drink is alcoholic.

D’Yquem puts the emphasis on young and old with new Lighthouse series

Published: 11 February, 2022

Chateau d’Yquem is encouraging consumers to try their sweet wines young as part of a global by-the-glass initiatives with key on-trade players, while also allowing more time for the wines to age at the winery before being bottled and released to market.

Soapbox: Why sustainability makes perfect business sense

Published: 10 February, 2022

Mariella Menato, strategy director at drinks design specialist Denomination, talks about the rise of sustainability as a key consumer requirement, and why today, more than ever, it is vital for business success, as well as safeguarding our planet.

Vida's European union

Published: 08 February, 2022

Mining the “forgotten Old World” for terroir-driven wines, Vida’s launch to the UK on-trade and indies is championing alternative flavours and grapes. Andrew Catchpole gets a taste from frontman Olivier Freymuth

Connected packaging could become 'main' marketing bridge to customers

Published: 03 February, 2022

More and more brands are using QR codes and smartphone apps to transform simple packaging into digital experiences.

Concha y Toro slams proposed alcohol duty changes as 'regressive step'

Published: 24 January, 2022

Leading Chilean brand Concha y Toro (CyT) has criticised the government for adding to the inflationary woes currently hurting consumers across the UK.

Rising consumer confidence suggests hospitality recovery in 2022

Published: 18 January, 2022

New research undertaken by CGA Strategy has recorded a strong desire from consumers to visit on-trade venues, indicating that the sector has successfully allayed fears concerning the Omicron variant.

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.

Connected packaging revs up

Published: 07 January, 2022

At any one time, there are an average of seven trillion pieces of packaging in the world. The opportunities offered by technology to engage with consumers via the bottle are only just getting started, says Jo Gilbert.