Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Fortified wines: brimming with potential

Published: 03 June, 2013

As Port shows its resilience, premium sherry is gaining new ground as Spanish cuisine becomes ever popular. Richard Woodard assesses the fortified market

Sogrape declares its 2011 Port vintage as one of the best in history

Published: 28 March, 2013

Portuguese producer, Sogrape, has announced its 2011 Port vintage could have the "greatest potential for ageing" than any vintage in the history of its Ferreira, Offley and Sandeman ports.

Maison Cazes acquires new vineyard

Published: 25 February, 2013

Roussillon producer Maison Cazes has acquired vineyard Les Clos des Paulilles in Collioure and Banyuls.

Cockburn's back at number one in the UK

Published: 28 January, 2013

Cockburn's has regained its number one status as the UK's biggest Port brand according to the latest Nielsen statistics released by brand owner Symingtons.

NRB announces strongest chef line-up to date

Published: 25 January, 2013

The north's hospitality trade show, Northern Restaurant & Bar, has announced its strongest line-up to date of chefs who will cook in the Chef Live theatre at its event in Manchester Central in March 2013.

Port shipments to UK increase by 6%

Published: 22 January, 2013

The Port Wine Institute has reported a 6% increase in total Port shipped to the UK in 2012, despite difficult economic conditions, according to Symington Family Estates.

Northern Restaurant & Bar 2013 calls for registration

Published: 17 December, 2012

The north's hospitality trade show, Northern Restaurant & Bar, has announced it will be 20% larger on its return to Manchester Central in March 2013.

Northern Restaurant & Bar show larger in 2013

Published: 12 December, 2012

The north's hospitality trade show, Northern Restaurant & Bar, has announced it will be 20% larger on its return to Manchester Central in March 2013.

How Champagne will be one of the cheapest parts of this year's Christmas dinner

Published: 10 December, 2012

Whilst the cost of much of our Christmas dinner has soared in the last five years, the average price of the cheapest bottle of Champagne is nearly 10% cheaper.

Aldi launches super premium wine range

Published: 21 November, 2012

Discount retailer Aldi has launched a super premium wine range which it claims seriously undercuts prices in other specialists.

Costco starts selling wine online in UK

Published: 02 November, 2012

Wholesaler Costco has launched its UK ecommerce site, including its wine range, which is open to both members and non-members.

Anne Krebiehl looks at opportunities for Fonseca port with Fladgate's Adrian Bridge

Published: 23 October, 2012

"We've always described Fonseca as a more voluptuous style of Port: it has this big structure, this big weight of fruit," explains Adrian Bridge, managing director of the Fladgate Partnership which incorporates the houses of Taylor, Fonseca and Croft.

Port begins to shed its stuffy image

Published: 19 October, 2012

Port is beginning to shed its stuffy image and is appealing to a younger, more female-led market, according to Fells marketing controller Mark Symonds.

Appleton Estate International Bartender Challenge finalists announced

Published: 19 October, 2012

Nine global bartenders are to gather in Jamaica next week to compete in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum International Bartender Challenge 2012.

Jazz FM launches Tasting Thursday with Taylor's Port

Published: 18 October, 2012

The first Port-focused Tasting Thursday with Taylor's will begin this evening on Jazz FM, as part of the Dinner Jazz programme.

Cape Winemakers Guild Auction achieves record takings

Published: 16 October, 2012

The 28th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has set record-breaking figures with the highest turnover and a complete sellout of all wines.

Port producers can learn lessons from whisky industry

Published: 12 October, 2012

Port producers should look to the whisky industry for packaging and marketing inspiration in order to safeguard the Douro's future.

Patrick Sandeman dies in skydiving accident

Published: 24 September, 2012

Leading wine merchant Patrick Sandeman has been killed in a freak skydiving accident in Cambridgeshire over the weekend.

Berry Bros & Rudd launches premium glassware range

Published: 28 August, 2012

Berry Bros & Rudd has launched a new premium handmade glassware range designed to improve the tasting experience.

NZ and OZ winemakers hit the road with Negociants

Published: 24 August, 2012

Winemakers from Australia and New Zealand will be hitting the road this month as Negociants embarks on its first ever UK winemaker tour, in order to re-establish close links with the trade.