Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Nick Hyde takes over as WSET chairman

Published: 08 January, 2018

Nick Hyde has taken over from James Simpson MW as chairman of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Board of Trustees.

Meet the Buyers: Darren Willis, owner, Grape & Grind

Published: 03 January, 2018

Like many professionals working in the trade, a career in wine was never part of the original plan – I studied mechanical engineering at university, graduating in 1997. Yet after completing a WSET course in London, I applied for a position at Harvey Nichols in 2001. I soon fell in love with both the people and subject, a passion that endures today.

WSTA predicts rum sales to have smashed £1bn barrier

Published: 02 January, 2018

UK rum sales are predicted to have broken the £1bn barrier at the end of last year for the first time.

Ian Harris receives MBE in New Year’s Honours List

Published: 02 January, 2018

Ian Harris, chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), has been awarded MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Hayman’s Gin creates UK sales team

Published: 20 December, 2017

Hayman’s Gin has revealed plans to create a UK sales team to support its ambitions for the home market.

Distell sells Bisquit Cognac brand to Campari

Published: 20 December, 2017

Distell has agreed to sell its Bisquit Dubouche et Ci Cognac business to Campari Group for €52.5m.

Independent outlook

Published: 14 December, 2017

Looking ahead to 2018, James Lawrence finds the indie sector in a buoyant mood, with flexibility key to meeting the challenges ahead

Diageo reaches five million milestone in its efforts to tackle drink driving

Published: 14 December, 2017

Diageo has secured over five million pledges from people who have vowed never to drink and drive.

Berry Bros appoints Enotria & Coe’s Davies to lead role

Published: 13 December, 2017

Berry Bros & Rudd has appointed Enotria & Coe’s Matt Davies to the new role of MD for Field’s, Morris & Verdin and Berry Bros & Rudd Wholesale.

Majestic predicts ‘unusual’ year for wine in 2018

Published: 13 December, 2017

Majestic Wine has predicted an “unusual” year for wine in 2018 as part of its ‘eight trends’ report.

Hamish Gillespie: Dealing with currency in the pre-Brexit world

Published: 06 December, 2017

The impact of Brexit on sterling has been a major factor in 2017 trade. Industry insider Hamish Gillespie, finance director at North South Wines, explores how best to mitigate the downsides.

Fever-Tree turns focus on US with North American office

Published: 06 December, 2017

Fever-Tree has announced its intention to open an office in North America as part of a strategy to focus on the US.

WSET appoints first dedicated on-territory US team

Published: 05 December, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has appointed its first dedicated on-territory team for the US wine and spirits market.

Berry Bros & Rudd ups stake in Anchor Distilling Company

Published: 05 December, 2017

Berry Bros & Rudd has increased its shareholding stake of Anchor Distilling Company (ADC).

Mezcal and English sparkling tipped as the top tipples for 2018

Published: 24 November, 2017

Rising popularity of premium Languedoc Rousillion, Tequila and Mezcal as well as soaring sales of English sparkling have puts these tipples at the head of the race to be named some of the top trends for 2018.

Connecting with Generation Z

Published: 24 November, 2017

A new generation coming up behind the Millennials is presenting new challenges to the drinks trade. Andrew Catchpole reports from the Global Drinks Forum in Berlin

UKs first Cognac Show launched by Whisky Exchange

Published: 22 November, 2017

The UK’s first ever Cognac Show tasting will take place next April 2018, Harpers can reveal.

Crown Cellars push to highlight spirits portfolio with Thinking Drinkers

Published: 22 November, 2017

In response to what it describes as “massive changes” in the market, Carlsberg’s wine division Crown Cellars has teamed up with the Thinking Drinkers to bring its premium spirits portfolio to greater prominence alongside its wines with the launch of Spirits.

Chancellor Philip Hammond labelled “scrooge”

Published: 21 November, 2017

Philip Hammond is being labelled a “scrooge” after it was revealed he will be one of the worst Chancellors to tax the wine and spirit sector if he pursues the planned increase in the Budget tomorrow (Wednesday, 22 November).