Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

South Africa looks to higher ground

Published: 22 October, 2020

Hard hit by the pandemic, South Africa’s winemakers are proving their resilience and fighting back with an eye on higher quality and pricing. By Andrew Catchpole

Mentzendorff makes strategic adjustments to a new norm

Published: 18 September, 2020

Andrew Catchpole talks to Mentzendorff boss Andrew Hawes pre and post-lockdown

31 Days of German Riesling winners bring ingenuity to the fore

Published: 09 September, 2020

This year’s winners of the annual 31 Days of German Riesling competition has put a spotlight on just how much businesses have adapted during the pandemic, using often imaginative ways to bring German Riesling to a wider audience.

Talking team QB

Published: 13 August, 2020

Insight and innovation are threaded through Quintessential Brands’ DNA. Andrew Catchpole catches up with James Lousada and Neil Anderson to find out more

Kylie goes vintage with Benchmark expansion

Published: 12 August, 2020

International pop star Kylie Minogue is continuing to grow her presence in the UK wine aisles with the launch of a new 2019 Côtes de Provence rosé.

Right Bank under threat as adaptability of Merlot cools

Published: 06 July, 2020

The traditional Merlot-dominant blends of Bordeaux’s Right Bank are being threatened by global warming, according to leading winemakers in the region.

Caroline Thompson-Hill becomes Accolade’s European MD

Published: 01 July, 2020

Accolade Wines has unveiled a reshuffle of its top people in Europe – the company’s biggest market.

Carluccio's bailout saves under half of its restaurants

Published: 22 May, 2020

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s has completed its bailout deal with Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), saving 30 of its 71 restaurants and costing 1,000 furloughed workers their jobs.

Greene King gives 90% rent relief to tenants

Published: 21 May, 2020

Greene King has announced it will offer a major rent reduction to its tenants to give them a “fighting chance” of surviving the coronavirus pandemic.

Hospitality industry sizes up ‘Independence Day’ on 4 July

Published: 12 May, 2020

With a liberation day on the horizon for the sleeping hospitality industry, the sector is now asking the big questions about what the end of lockdown will look like.

Armit keeps up on-trade momentum with Liber Pater listing

Published: 11 May, 2020

Armit Wines is forging ahead with its plans to strengthen its position in the on-trade with a new addition to its supplier portfolio.

Porto Protocol’s online climate debate puts bottle weight in the crosshairs

Published: 11 May, 2020

Does glass have a place in the world of tomorrow as the main container of wine – and do consumers even want a glass bottle anyway?

Wachau becomes a DAC region

Published: 11 May, 2020

The Wachau has become an official DAC region after a long campaign to recognise its contributions to quality wine growing within the country.

Cash crisis looms as businesses call for reform to “lip service” relief packages

Published: 02 April, 2020

Companies are calling on the government to reassess its package of relief support which they say doesn't go far enough, fast enough, to help cash-strapped businesses through these turbulent times.

Profile: Lift off for Buckingham Schenk

Published: 30 March, 2020

With help from the Schenk Group mothership, Buckingham Schenk is evolving from a predominantly retail-led own-label proposition to becoming a multichannel player with a stall of agency and exclusive brands. Last month, Jo Gilbert spoke to MD Craig Durham about the company's latest reinvention

Wine Lister joins forces with French media giant

Published: 04 February, 2020

UK-based fine wine agency and analytics platform, Wine Lister, has been acquired by French media outfit, Groupe Figaro.

New MD for Weavers of Nottingham

Published: 29 January, 2020

Midlands-based wine merchants Weavers of Nottingham has appointed Philip Trease as its new MD.

New MD steps up at Lanson UK ahead of major brand overhaul

Published: 16 January, 2020

Robert Rand has been appointed as The House of Lanson’s new UK managing director as the company prepares to unveil several far reaching changes to its range.

Henschke manages fire woes while bolstered China and Armenia get a look in at Liberty tasting

Published: 15 January, 2020

Liberty Wines returned to The Oval for its annual shebang yesterday with a number of new stars to brighten up what turned out to be an exceptionally dismal afternoon weather-wise.