Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA Conference: The trade needs to stick together

Published: 11 October, 2013

Last month's WSTA conference demonstrated how powerful the drinks sector can be when it is united and the dangers when it is not, says Richard Siddle

Big, bold, but Beautiful?

Published: 11 October, 2013

The Beautiful South Tasting challenged the concept of generic wine tastings. Erin Smith analyses what worked and lessons for the future

The Gin Guild welcomes 19 new members

Published: 11 October, 2013

The Gin Guild has welcomed 19 new members - which include brand owners and ambassadors, distillers, bartenders and writers - to the ranks.

Q&A: Ana Sapungiu, head buyer, Oddbins

Published: 11 October, 2013

Ana Sapungiu talks to Anne Krebiehl about Oddbins' new consumer-engagement "holiday wine" initiative and how the retailer is in double-digit growth

Are you making the most of international trade shows?

Published: 11 October, 2013

Love them or loathe them, international wine trade fairs are an intrinsic part of a buyers' calendar. But what are the best ways of making the most of your time? For those seeking, for example, to gain a greater understanding of Spanish wines, the town of Ciudad Real is not an obvious first port of call. Being 200km north of Madrid, the town has no obvious links to the wine trade. No links, that is, apart from every two years hosting the Fenavin trade tasting.

Booths rethinks its prices with new sampling strategy

Published: 10 October, 2013

Booths can't compete with other supermarkets in wine retail so has moved to give its wine department a more independent merchant style and price point range, according to its wine and spirits buyer Andy Green.

Q&A: Roberto Della Pietra, head sommelier, Tirage Champagne et Plats

Published: 10 October, 2013

Roberto Della Pietra talks to Anne Krebiehl about the exclusively sparkling offer at Tirage Champagne et Plats, opening in London in November

Whisky research reveals taste can be affected by environment

Published: 09 October, 2013

A change of environment can enhance the experience of enjoying whisky by up to 20% according to new research.

First Sherry Trail to be held in London this month

Published: 09 October, 2013

The Sherry Institute of Spain is to hold its first Sherry Trail in designated London bars from October 14-27.

William Grant releases experimental Scotch whisky

Published: 09 October, 2013

First Drinks-distributed William Grant & Sons is breaking with convention to release a new expression that comes from its 50-year-old Girvan Patented still.

Grignan-les-Adhémar AOC looks to drive awareness in UK

Published: 09 October, 2013

Wine producers of the southern Rhône Valley's northernmost AOC, Grignan-les-Adhémar, are launching a campaign to generate awareness of its wines in the UK on the back of a 20% rise in exports.

Carol Emmas: Romania's Cramele Recas - the winery behind the label

Published: 09 October, 2013

I'm a sucker for the quirky and the offbeat; give me a small winery in Outer Mongolia with a production of 10,000 bottles per year and you'll have my attention.

Accolade revamps WinningWithWine.com

Published: 09 October, 2013

Accolade Wines-owned WinningWithWine.com - an online tool for wine retailers and on-trade outlets - has revamped its website to offer a user-friendly platform with more advice than ever.

Q&A: Dr Gareth Morgan, Cognac educator, Oinoudidasko Wine Education

Published: 09 October, 2013

The Cognac expert explains what it means to be an educator in his chosen field

Robinsons broadens horizons with Argentinia's Casarena

Published: 08 October, 2013

Robinsons Brewery has become the exclusive UK supplier for Casarena Bodega Y Viñedos on the back of double-digit growth in the Argentinian category.

Nyetimber 'excited' as grape picking commences across UK

Published: 08 October, 2013

English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber is "excited" to have begun grape picking alongside other English producers after it wrote off last year's because of poor-quality grapes.

Q&A: Philip Cox, co-owner, Cramele Recas

Published: 08 October, 2013

The co-owner of the Romaninan winery talks to Carol Emmas about how the UK market has opened up to Eastern European wines

Lindeman's £1m ad campagin aims for top spot

Published: 08 October, 2013

Treasury Wine Estates-owned Australian wine brand Lindeman's has unveiled a £1 million UK digital advertising campaign in a bid to become the "biggest Australian wine brand in the world".

Courvoisier launches campaign to attract younger consumers

Published: 08 October, 2013

Courvoisier hopes to attract key targeted premium spirit consumers to the Cognac category with a new campaign that looks to bring fresh excitement to what has often been seen as a traditional and elite drink.

Morrisons: suppliers overestimating lower-alcohol category

Published: 08 October, 2013

Wine suppliers are massively overestimating the importance of the lower-alcohol category and investing far too much time in developing new products, according to Morrisons head of wine.