Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sparkling focus at new Urban Leisure Group venue

Published: 08 May, 2012

Urban Leisure Group is to open Central & Co, a brasserie and bar that aims to focus on sparkling wine.

UK restaurants lose interest in fine dining, says Harden's

Published: 08 May, 2012

Restaurants are becoming less interested in fine dining and moving towards simplicity, according to owner and founder of Harden's Restaurant Guides, Peter Harden.

Vinoteca unveils new head chefs

Published: 26 April, 2012

Vinoteca has announced two new head chefs for its Marylebone and Farringdon operations, as well as a opening date for Vinoteca in Soho.

Chefs to showcase talents in Eat Drink Bristol Fashion

Published: 25 April, 2012

Leading chefs and restaurants in Bristol are to showcase their talents in a two week pop-up food and drink event, Eat Drink Bristol Fashion.

Vinoteca to open third London site

Published: 15 March, 2012

Vinoteca is to open its third wine bar, dining room and wine shop in Soho, in mid April.

AFWS calls for entries to Sommelier of the Year competition

Published: 23 February, 2012

The Academy of Food and Wine Service (AFWS) is seeking entries to its 2012 UK Sommelier of the Year competition.

Pawel Gruntowski - freelance sommelier South America

Published: 17 February, 2012

Living and travelling in South America can give a very valuable perspective to a European used to small scale of things, short distances and in general having everything at a hand's reach.

Gillray's Steakhouse & Bar to open at London's County Hall

Published: 16 February, 2012

A specialist gin bar hosting 33 English gins, will be one of the attractions at Gillray's Steakhouse & Bar, when it opens at London's County Hall, at the end of March.

Mariano Braga - sommelier based in Buenos Aires

Published: 08 February, 2012

I'm a sommelier, from Argentina with a personal challenge: I had to taste 2,011 wines over 2011.

Thierry Tomasin, head sommelier, Angelus

Published: 08 February, 2012

Surprisingly despite the economic doom and gloom, Champagne was one of the biggest sellers here throughout Christmas and New Year.

Crewe wholesaler Rodney Densem acquires Telford Wines

Published: 18 November, 2011

Crewe-based Rodney Densem is to ramp up its coverage across the country with the purchase of Shropshire wholesaler Telford Wines.

Jascots to offer 24/7 delivery during Olympic and Paralympic Games

Published: 18 November, 2011

Independent wine merchant Jascots is to offer a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, delivery service to its clients throughout the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Don't miss - Copa Jerez and Sud de France Festival

Published: 03 August, 2010

The Sherry Institute of Spain has announced the 4th International Copa Jerez competition is open for entries.

Take 6 Ardbegs

Published: 03 August, 2010

Ardbeg 10 Year Old
(46% abv; rrp £37.95)
The backbone of the brand. The fresh, delicate nose belies the peaty beast beneath. Waxy, with aromas of gentian violets, citrus, pepper and wood smoke, giving way to a complex sea-spray and salt, molasses, asphalt, strong coffee and a tobacco palate that somehow manages to delicately pack an almighty punch.

UK wine in need of high profile sponsor

Published: 02 August, 2010

A high-profile sponsor is needed to help English wine continue to grow its reputation, according to Mike Roberts, chairman of English Wine Producers and director of the West Sussex winery Ridgeview Wine Estate.

Breaking the mould - the first in a new series looking at the opportunities around key grape varieties

Published: 02 August, 2010

In the first of a new series looking at the opportunities around key grape varieties, Carol Emmas focuses on Riesling

Laurent Richet - sommelier and head barman/cocktail specialist - Hotel TerraVina

Published: 02 August, 2010

Laurent Richet - sommelier and head barman/cocktail specialist - Hotel TerraVina

South Africa overtakes France

Published: 25 February, 2010

South Africa's recent success in the UK off-trade is not merely the result of favourable currency movements, according to the country's generic body.

Don't Miss - Academy of Food & Wine: An Introduction to Sommellerie

Published: 25 February, 2010

The Academy of Food & Wine (AFW), the foodservice industry's professional front-of-house training body, has announced the dates and venues of its next Professional Connoisseur Series, 'Senses, Service & Skills'.