Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

GinKing wins US distribution with help from DIT

Published: 19 September, 2019

Surrey-based drinks producer GinKing has won a £90k export order from a US wine merchant.

Solid BWS and pre-mixed performance boost grocery sales

Published: 17 September, 2019

Sales at UK supermarkets were up 2.2% in the last four weeks compared to the same period last year boosted not only by the August Bank Holiday heatwave but also by a solid BWS and pre-mixed alcoholic drinks performance, according to Nielsen.

Amathus's inaugural tasting puts spotlight on ambitious plans to double its wine portfolio

Published: 13 September, 2019

Amathus Drinks held its first stand alone tasting of recent times this week to highlight what has been a major push into the wine category for the traditionally spirits-led company over the past few years.

WSTA announces full line up for 2019 Industry Summit

Published: 06 September, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has announced its full line up of experts poised to take the stage at the 2019 Industry Summit.

SWA calls for end to trade uncertainty as exports grow

Published: 30 August, 2019

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the UK government to ensure certainty in future trading conditions as Parliament returns from summer recess.

Saying yes to no and low

Published: 30 August, 2019

Looking back to December, there was one major trend analysts were backing to have the most influence on the mix of sales and consumer behaviour in 2019.

Harvey Nichols launches first range of pre-mixed cocktails

Published: 29 August, 2019

Harvey Nichols has launched its first range of pre-mixed cocktails comprising three classic styles - Old Fashioned, Vesper Martini and Negroni.

Two to three big Christmases left for gin amid premium spirits boom

Published: 23 August, 2019

Pernod Ricard is banking on another big hurrah for gin growth this festive season, with its on-going popularity and major presence in the UK’s cocktail culture helping to boost growth of premium spirits.

SWA hires ex-FO mandarin for key international role

Published: 22 August, 2019

The Scotch Whisky Association has appointed a former senior official at the Foreign Office as the organisation’s international director.

Dundee distillery to supply the House of Commons

Published: 21 August, 2019

The House of Commons has awarded Dundee distillery, Verdant Spirits, the contract to be its sole supplier of a House of Commons gin with a special edition of its award-winning spirit.

Hybrid indies: Opportunities and pitfalls

Published: 21 August, 2019

The rise in independent merchants looking at the hybrid model and offering a drink-in option to complement traditional off-trade sales has seen the landscape change in recent years.

WSET reports record annual candidate figures

Published: 20 August, 2019

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has reported its highest ever annual candidate figures for the last academic year.

US sales drive Cognac to fifth year of export growth

Published: 19 August, 2019

Cognac has reported export growth for the fifth year in a row. Shipments were up 6.9% in value and 2.5% in volume for the year ending 31 July 2019, the region’s governing body has revealed.

Ex-Tanqueray distiller turns his hand to Downton Abbey spirit range

Published: 15 August, 2019

The release of a new whisky and gin brand is sure to cause excitement both above and below stairs in the nation’s country houses.

Disappointing half-year results for Adnams

Published: 14 August, 2019

Sales at Suffolk-based drinks group Adnams fell 2% year-on-year in the first half of 2019.

Upselling wine to the promiscuous drinker

Published: 14 August, 2019

Wine continues to struggle in the on-trade where promiscuous consumers are seeking out “new and different”. How the category can overcome these pressures was the topic of a CGA presentation at the first in a new series of breakfast briefings held by the WSTA. Jo Gilbert reports

Diageo signs up premium Cuban rum

Published: 13 August, 2019

Diageo has formed a 50/50 joint venture with Corporación Cuba Ron which gives it exclusive global distribution rights to Cuban rum brand Santiago de Cuba.

Wine revealed as Britain’s favourite alcoholic drink

Published: 12 August, 2019

Wine has beaten beer and spirits to become the favoured tipple of UK drinkers, according to a new survey of 2,000 consumers from Yougov.

Friday Read: Riding the tequila wave

Published: 09 August, 2019

It is a tumultuous time to be a smaller tequila producer. External forces are a mixture of positive market growth and negative trade tensions, including rising supply costs (agave, in 2018, was up 571% since 2016), fuel shortages engendered by pipeline pirates and fraying civil structure in the main production area of Jalisco. Against this background ‘adaptation’ is the keyword for the smaller producer.