Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Lockdown accelerated Champagne's growth in mainland China

Published: 14 September, 2021

Demand for Champagne has risen dramatically in mainland China over the past 12 months, according to market expert Lei Meng.

Soapbox: Zero clarity threatens the future of no and low

Published: 12 August, 2021

In an extended soapbox this month, Vickie Rogerson, MD of specialist food and drink communications agency North PR and former head of food and BWS PR at Asda, makes the case for radically improved no and low alcohol labelling.

Oeno opens fine wine oasis in City of London

Published: 12 July, 2021

Fine wine investment company OenoGroup is opening a “multi-functional boutique” dedicated to wine in the heart of London’s financial district.

Long read: Will this be the decade the wine industry ditches glass?

Published: 24 June, 2021

Émilie Steckenborn, sommelier, education consultant and creator of the Bottled in China podcast, delves into the wine industry’s reliance on often coloured, non-recyclable glass while giving the lowdown on this year’s biggest sustainable launches.

Long Read: Pushing quality South America

Published: 17 June, 2021

Condor Wines marked its 10th anniversary this June with its South American Discovery Sessions, looking at how far the wines had come in a decade and what the next 10 years might hold for Latin America’s collective vinous offering.

Hospitality predicted to bounce back and exceed 2019 sales in 2022

Published: 10 June, 2021

The total eating and drinking out market is expected to see 44.7% YOY growth in 2022, the equivalent value of almost £92bn and surpassing its 2019 value growth as pent up demand is set to give the sector a boost in its recovery from the pandemic.

Wine on the rise with younger consumers as on-trade returns

Published: 20 May, 2021

Younger consumers plan to spend more than before as they return to pubs and restaurants, and spend a larger slice of that money on wine.

Nearly half of consumers in England flock to hospitality venues

Published: 22 April, 2021

Nearly of half (44%) of adults in England have visited pubs, bars and restaurants since they re-opened for outdoor service on the 12 April, beating last year’s rate of return to hospitality following the easing of restrictions after the first lockdown.

Think Insights: Spirits must target daytime eating and drinking

Published: 25 March, 2021

Making the most of daytime, food-friendly occasions will be key to transferring sales from “highly engaged” yet usually evening-focused spirits consumers as the on-trade reopens, CGA has said.

Guy Woodward: Challenging the wine nerd herd

Published: 10 March, 2021

It’s when the first question about clone types crops up that I begin to despair; or a query as to the length of time the juice spent macerating on its own skins. Or – kill me now – the wine’s exact pH level.

Game on 2021: Hospitality needs to come out fighting fit

Published: 14 January, 2021

The new edition of Harpers, out today, will reach readers hot on the heels of a parliamentary debate on the need for the creation of a minister for hospitality role in UK government. Resulting from the success of the Seat at the Table petition launched by hotelier Robin Hutson, of The Pig group and (formerly) Hotel du Vin fame, the proposal gained “an overwhelmingly positive response from all corners”, as reported by Harpers.

Q&A: Professor Gordy Pleyers, Université Catholique de Louvain

Published: 05 January, 2021

Taking drinks design into the realm of neuro-marketing and science, Professor Gordy Pleyers of Mind Insights at Université Catholique de Louvain introduces Andrew Catchpole to the non-conscious cues at play in our taste for wines and spirits

Guy Woodward: The language of wine needs to change

Published: 12 November, 2020

What’s the point of tasting notes? Who are they actually for? Who reaps the benefit, for example, of reading that a wine has notes of “gentian, elderflower, seaweed, mussels, salt spray, chicken stock, sage, fennel, peach kernel, lemon, alkali and wet stone”, as David Schildknecht’s highly attuned nose detected in the 2004 Riesling Steinriesler of Nikolaihof Wachau?

Mentzendorff makes strategic adjustments to a new norm

Published: 18 September, 2020

Andrew Catchpole talks to Mentzendorff boss Andrew Hawes pre and post-lockdown

Investing for Future: Short-term cost-cutting could have long-term impact

Published: 10 September, 2020

A unique set of circumstances created by the coronavirus epidemic has made investment more vital than ever for business, as consumers become ‘hyper aware’ of the activity of brands in times of crisis.

Consumers positive about Eat Out to Help Out scheme

Published: 07 September, 2020

Consumers were very happy with the levels of hygiene and cleanliness they encountered during the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, according to an extensive survey conducted by CGA, UK Hospitality and Yumpingo.

End of Eat Out to Help Out signals new phase for restaurants

Published: 01 September, 2020

Food sales went through the roof in the first three weeks of the government’s The Eat Out to Help Out (EOHO) scheme, helping to normalise going out for Brits and jumpstarting the UK hospitality industry back towards health and prosperity.

Wine online jumps 238% at Waitrose

Published: 20 August, 2020

Waitrose had reported a significant boost to its online wine sales as consumers take advantage of a “wider selection” of wine online during lockdown.

Berkmann winds up successful Help 4 Hospitality scheme

Published: 11 August, 2020

Berkmann Wine Cellars has called time on its Help 4 Hospitality lockdown initiative, which has raised some £75,000 to help businesses in the hospitality sector weather the crisis.

Brave new cocktail world?

Published: 11 August, 2020

As consumers attempt to recreate a simplified on-trade experience in the home, which new trends and habits will remain post-lockdown? Lisa Riley reports.