Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Introducing the new breed at MASH

Published: 01 March, 2013

Douglas Blyde learns how the founders of the Modern American Steak House are training up a new wave of sommeliers

Mike Matthews discovers the diversity and flavours of vermouth at Mele e Pere

Published: 22 February, 2013

What does vermouth mean to you? What images does this fortified wine conjure? It's hardly what we'd call a fashionable drink now is it!

Chance to win Best Drinks Offer at Harpers Awards 2013

Published: 07 February, 2013

Restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels are all invited to enter the Best Drinks Offer of the Year category as part of the Harpers Awards 2013.

On-trade appointments

Published: 06 February, 2013

The latest appointments see Maxxium UK strengthen its spirits and cocktails training scheme, and Le Cercle in Chelsea gets a new head chef.

Douglas Blyde has a taste of Croatia at the Cuthbert Pub & Kitchen, Brighton

Published: 06 February, 2013

Pacta Connect's Trevor Long and Judith Burns, enthusiastic importers of quality Croatian wines from Umag to Pula, and also Slavonia and Dalmatia, invited Harpers to taste a tailored menu of British food and Croatian wines at the Cuthbert Pub & Kitchen, Brighton.

Restaurant openings

Published: 06 February, 2013

The latest openings include a new Champagne venue aiming to become one of London's most exclusive celebrity haunts; a makeover for Fulham Road's the Goat in Boots; and a pop-up venture for Yalla Yalla.

Wine and cider go head to head at Thatchers Arms

Published: 25 January, 2013

Wine and cider are to go head-to-head in a food and drink matching competition to be held at foodie pub, The Thatchers Arms, near Colchester in association with DrinkBritain.com.

Pubs and restaurants "slightly" up on Christmas and New Year 2012

Published: 25 January, 2013

Britain's pub and restaurant groups reported better Christmas and New Year trading than a year ago, but the increase was marginal, according to Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Koshu of Japan launches search for brand ambassador

Published: 25 January, 2013

Wine industry professionals including sommeliers are being called to enter a competition to find the first Koshu of Japan UK Brand Ambassador.

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.

Call for entries to Moët UK Sommelier of the Year

Published: 25 January, 2013

The Academy of Food & Wine Service is calling for entries to the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013.

Douglas Blyde visits the Luggage Room, Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square

Published: 25 January, 2013

Luggage porter, Dan, leads me to a small, unmarked door flanked by flames. "You'll be impressed by the first sight you see," he says. "Some places have women. But we have goddesses."

UK Sommelier Association (North Area) rolls out fast-track course

Published: 25 January, 2013

The UK Sommelier Association (North Area), is to roll out one of the only northern-based fully accredited sommelier courses from February 2013.

How will you be changing your wine list this year?

Published: 24 January, 2013

As we go into 2013, we ask three industry sommeliers from Sketch, Coq d'Argent and Launceston Place how they'll be looking at changing their wine lists this year.

Restaurant openings to begin the year

Published: 24 January, 2013

Openings for February include one all-British, a Brazilian-Japanese, and a Japanese restaurant aiming to venture beyond sushi and sashimi.

How will you change your wine list in 2013?

Published: 22 January, 2013

As we go into 2013, we ask some industry sommeliers how they'll be looking at changing on their wine lists this year.

At Your Service events - January

Published: 22 January, 2013

Wine Australia shows its "artier" side, Oregon and Washington state show their "most comprehensive" line up, with Bibendum it's all a Matter of Taste at the following trade tastings.

At Your Service events - January

Published: 22 January, 2013

Wine Australia shows its "artier" side, Oregon and Washington State shows its "most comprehensive" line up and with Bibendum, it's all a Matter of Taste at the following January trade tastings.

Tour de Belfort opens Manchester wine and cookery school

Published: 18 December, 2012

French winemaker Muriel Lismonde, owner of Tour de Belfort, has opened wine and cookery school Le Vin La Table in Hale, which aims to offer variety of wine tastings, cookery classes and workshops.

Hospitality Show

Published: 17 December, 2012

The Hospitality Show, which takes place in January, is offering a one-to-one business mentoring service from operators which have excelled in their field and want to pass on their experience to others.