Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Stars in their aisles

Published: 02 May, 2014

News that David Beckham is to put his name to a new whisky is just the latest in a series of celebrity drink endorsements. But, Richard Foster asks, do such link-ups guarantee good sales?

Beefeater launches limited edition gin to mark visitor centre opening

Published: 28 April, 2014

Beefeater Gin is launching a limited edition gin in celebration of next month's opening of Beefeater London: The Home of Gin, which will be the first dedicated gin distillery visitor centre in London

English wine producer Chapel Down sees sales fall after recent poor grape harvests

Published: 25 April, 2014

English wine and beer producer, Chapel Down, suffered a 24% sales volume drop due to smaller yields from the 2011 and 2012 grape harvests. It has, though, increased overall sales revenue by 4% by raising the average selling price of its wines by 10% during the past financial year.

Wine growing in the UK guide to be published

Published: 23 April, 2014

The first practical guide on growing wine grapes in England and across the UK has been written by acclaimed English wine expert, Stephen Skelton MW.

Changes in alcohol habits prompt fall in serious violence

Published: 23 April, 2014

The number of people injured in serious violence in England and Wales dropped by 12% in 2013 compared to 2012, coinciding with a fall in binge drinking.

London Wine Fair 2014 cuts costs for exhibitors

Published: 11 April, 2014

London Wine Fair has been making some big changes this year including pledging £40,000 to bring in 200 major buyers for the show, with the money being flagged to help the buyers with travel and accommodation costs and a 25% reduction in the space price for exhibitors.

PaperBoy Wine selects new paper bottle manufacturer

Published: 11 April, 2014

PaperBoy Wine bottles, which were supplied by GreenBottle who helped manufacture the first paper wine bottles, have entered into a three year agreement with Ecologic Brands, Inc., an American company, to supply the bottles.

Supermarket wine price wars are dumbing down market, says report

Published: 07 April, 2014

Supermarket wine price wars are threatening to'dumb down British consumers' attitudes to wine, exclusive research from Harpers Data & Insight team reveals.

?The Smith Report: Could deflation let the air out of wine purchases?

Published: 07 April, 2014

Erin Smith looks at how deflation could have an impact on the wine and spirit world.

English Wine Week unveils new brand and image for 2014

Published: 04 April, 2014

A new logo has been produced to help English Wine Producers promote and celebrate English Wine Week which takes place between May 24 and June 1 across the UK.

Interview: John Osborne's sets out his vision for PLB

Published: 04 April, 2014

It may only have been three months since John Osborne became PLB's managing director, but it's a role he has been working towards his entire career. He talks about the challenges and opportunities facing him, PLB and the industry.

Stevens Garnier to add major brand every six months

Published: 03 April, 2014

Stevens Garnier is on the look-out for major old world brands, and plans to boost its portfolio by adding one every six months.

Dedicated craft beer section at London Wine Fair

Published: 01 April, 2014

For the first time in its 34 year history, the London Wine Fair will have a dedicated beer section called the Brewhouse, which will focus on small batch, specialist and craft beers.

Jancis Robinson and Justin Howard-Sneyd part of speaker line-up at UK's first cool climate event

Published: 28 March, 2014

Leading UK wine trade figures, Jancis Robinson MW and Justin Howard-Sneyd, are two of the speakers that have been announced for the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium which takes place in the UK for the first time between May 26 and May 28, 2016.

Wines of Argentina's Cambalache event sells 600 tickets in three and half hours

Published: 28 March, 2014

Wines of Argentina's Cambalache Nights event, which went on sale through "London's underground events" website The Nudge yesterday, sold 600 tickets in just three and half hours.

?Wines of Argentina's Cambalache returns: tickets on sale tomorrow

Published: 26 March, 2014

Wines of Argentina's award-winning Cambalache Nights event is returning to London on April 30th and May 1st, with tickets going on sale tomorrow for £40 per person.

UK to host 2016 International Cool Climate Wine Symposium

Published: 24 March, 2014

The official launch of the 2016 International Cool Climate Wine Symposium is set to place today at ProWein in Dusseldorf where details of the event, to be hosted in the UK for the first time, will be revealed.

Majestic's shares fall 20% on back of profits warning for financial year

Published: 21 March, 2014

Majestic Wine's shares have fallen by as much as 20% over the last two days after it issued a profit warning saying its overall profit before tax would be flat for the financial year.

Owners of Bladnoch whisky distillery go into liquidation

Published: 19 March, 2014

Scotland's most southerly distillery Bladnoch is up for sale as a going concern following news that its parent company has entered administration.

Cono Sur to take centre stage when the Tour de France comes to the UK in 2014

Published: 24 February, 2014

Chilean winery, Vina Cono Sur, has signed a deal with the Tour de France 2014 to be the solo wine sponsor for the first three stages of the race that are all taking place in the UK.