Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Jerry Lockspeiser: Can we plan for the unknown?

Published: 23 November, 2020

“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.” Charles Bukowski

EOHO helps pull down inflation but sector still at risk of 'bloodbath'

Published: 16 September, 2020

The success of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August helped push the UK inflation rate to a five-year low, according to data from the ONS.

Price cuts deliver unexpected bounce for Bordeaux 2019

Published: 09 July, 2020

A fast, four-week campaign with average price cuts of 21% confounded many expectations by delivering a successful En Primeur 2019 release.

‘Compressed’ Bordeaux 2019 EP campaign sees prices 30% lower

Published: 11 June, 2020

As Bordeaux’s top estates continue to trickle their 2019 releases onto the market, prices are typically 15-30% down on 2018, with around two thirds of prices now declared.

Sotheby’s launches own-label range of wines

Published: 29 October, 2019

Global auction house Sotheby’s has launched an own-label range of wines.

Majestic lowers spirits prices

Published: 27 June, 2019

Majestic has lowered the price of its entire spirits portfolio and removed the two tier pricing on the category.

Sainsbury’s Asda merger “unlikely” to impact consumer choice as supermarkets offer to unload 150 stores

Published: 25 March, 2019

The tie-up between Britain’s second and third largest supermarkets will have no detrimental impact on the diverse and “quick to adapt” supermarket sector, it has been suggested.

Berkmann announces plan to protect prices as Brexit looms

Published: 11 February, 2019

Berkmann Wine Cellars has revealed its pricing strategy for 2019, which it says includes a “proactive plan to protect customers from potential Brexit fall out".

‘Ready to drink’ 2017 Burgundies could ease sky-high prices ahead of Brexit

Published: 15 November, 2018

The wines now emerging from Burgundy’s 2017 vintage could help to ease the pockets of restaurants and fine wine merchants, it has been suggested.

Guy Woodward: The debate dividing Napa Valley vintners

Published: 12 July, 2018

Driving down the bucolic Highway 29 last month, on my way into Napa Valley, I was confronted by a series of roadside placards. As the vineyards became more prevalent, so did the signs. “No on C” most of them read. “Yes on C” read a few. But what the hell was C?

“Short-sighted” Bordeaux En Primeur strategies leave little to no value for the trade

Published: 29 June, 2018

A “lack of wines priced attractively” has been blamed for a less than successful 2017 Bordeaux campaign.

Spain raises the stakes

Published: 23 March, 2018

Spain has long been known as the commercial hub of Europe’s classic winemaking regions – a category that has traditionally seen off-trade sales veer towards its £5-£10 “sweet spot” or lower, to the sub-£5, rather than its top tier of lauded pagos.

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.

How the “crazy” state of Prosecco’s 23p price erosion could be about to change

Published: 17 October, 2017

The media last week widely reported that the average price for a bottle of Prosecco has fallen a further 23p over past year as competition drives down prices.