Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sogevinus unveils name change

Published: 29 May, 2025

Portuguese wine producer Sogevinus will henceforth be known as the Kopke Group, paying homage to the country's oldest Port house.

Quinta Do Noval declares 2023 vintage Port

Published: 30 April, 2025

Quinta do Noval has declared three Vintage Ports from 2023.

Taylor’s releases Sentinels Vintage Port 2023

Published: 23 April, 2025

Taylor’s has made its declaration of Vintage Port today, St George’s Day – the traditional date for the announcement – and alongside launches Sentinels Vintage Port 2023.

Symington announces Quinta Vintage Port from six estates

Published: 17 April, 2025

Port giant Symington Family Estates has announced that it will produce 2023 Quinta Vintage Ports from its top six Douro estates. The move will see the wines bottled in May and available from mid-June.

Bibendum becomes exclusive distributor for Quinta da Pedra Alta

Published: 27 January, 2025

Leading Douro producer Quinta da Pedra Alta will now be distributed in the UK and Ireland via Bibendum. A portfolio of red and white table wines as well as a selection of Ports will be available to the on-trade under the Bibendum banner and to independent merchants via Walker & Wodehouse.

Hallgarten welcomes two new agencies into the fold

Published: 06 January, 2025

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has got off to a racing start in 2025, adding Franciacorta producer Bellavista (pictured) to its Italian portfolio, while also welcoming Quinta da Romaneira to the Hallgarten family.

From Port wine to table wine

Published: 22 November, 2024

Jo Gilbert embarks on a deep dive into Douro producers’ dual strategies for both table and fortified wines as a way of adapting to market demands and preserving the region’s winemaking heritage.

Fladgate Partnership releases 2024 harvest report

Published: 21 October, 2024

In the wake of an overall cool vintage, expectations remain high in the Douro Valley, with initial reports suggesting that year's crop will showcase “vibrant fruit, fine tannins, and remarkable acidity”.

Cockburn’s revamps range with eco-friendly focus

Published: 23 September, 2024

Cockburn’s Port is ‘challenging perceptions in the category’ with a significant redesign which introduces a new lightweight bottle across the core range.

Quinta de la Rosa partners with Thorman Hunt for UK distribution

Published: 08 July, 2024

The distribution of Quinta de la Rosa, the single quinta winery on the banks of the Douro in Portugal, is being transferred to Thorman Hunt from 1 August 2024. Sophia Bergqvist, proprietor of Quinta de la Rosa, and her son, Kit Weaver, have expressed their gratitude to outgoing distributor Bibendum for its efforts in the market in recent years.

Profile: A new era for Fells

Published: 09 April, 2024

Fells’ new MD catches up with Jo Gilbert on the company’s past, present and future, including its secret weapon.

As one of the longest-standing agent importers in the UK, Fells has a history that is almost very nearly unique. Like Mentzendorff, its biggest competitor, Fells happens to have been founded in 1858, before going on to represent the interests of a leading Port house.

BWS Christmas sales down for UK multiples

Published: 11 January, 2024

Despite record spend on groceries during Christmas in UK supermarkets, sales of beer, wine and spirits were all in decline over the same period.

Headline Heroes: The tawny revolution

Published: 10 January, 2024

James Lawrence looks at the resurgence of an aged Port to appeal to new consumers

Symington predicts ‘high quality vintage’ in Douro

Published: 11 September, 2023

With the red grapes still coming in across various estates, leading producer Symington Family Estates is predicting one of the best Douro vintages in recent years.

Second outing for Quinta do Noval’s Terroir Series

Published: 25 August, 2023

Quinta do Noval has launched the second wine from their ultra-premium, limited edition Terroir Series – a collaboration between Carlos Agrellos, Noval’s technical director, and Christian Seely.

UK Port celebrates 650 years history of Portuguese alliance

Published: 16 June, 2023

The UK Port industry is celebrating six-and-a-half centuries of cooperation and trade this week, which included a celebratory dinner hosted by Taylor’s in the Tower of London’s White Tower.

Port finds a place in tourism

Published: 23 November, 2022

The famous fortified’s efforts to attract a younger demographic look to be paying off as travel plays favourably to its home nation. James Bayley has the details.

Producer Q&A: Talking flora and fauna

Published: 19 April, 2022

Quinta da Boeira’s Helena Teixeira talks to Barnaby Eales about microbiology, minimum intervention and shaking up Port classifications.

Symington taps into rebellious side for Port-inspired speakeasy

Published: 13 December, 2021

With the mantra of “not your grandfather’s port club”, Symington Family Estates has teamed up with Rebel Port Club to launch a speakeasy style pop-up experience in London aimed at initiating a new generation of port drinkers.