Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bordeaux ramps up focus on younger consumers with white wines

Published: 13 August, 2014

The president of a Bordeaux wine body wants to open up younger UK wine consumers to the region's white wines.

Chile's wine production plummets by one quarter, say official figures

Published: 13 August, 2014

Chile's wine production has plummeted by almost one quarter compared to last year, but experts aren't expecting price rises as the country still has plenty of leftover wine in its tanks.

Lidl's £12m France promotion sets tone for wine department

Published: 12 August, 2014

Lidl's upcoming £12 million Bordeaux-focused wine promotion is to set the tone for the retailer's future wine strategy.

Drinkaware launches mobile app to help people cut down on drinking

Published: 12 August, 2014

Drinkaware has launched a mobile app which tracks alcohol consumption, calculates units and calories and helps users set goals to cut down their drinking.

Warner Edwards Distillery launches rhubarb gin

Published: 12 August, 2014

Northamptonshire's Warner Edwards Distillery has added a rhubarb gin to its portfolio.

Parliamentary group calls for tobacco-style health warnings on alcohol

Published: 11 August, 2014

A group of MPs has called for cigarette-like health warnings on all alcoholic drinks, as well as a lower drink driving limit.

Pinot Grigio stocks tighten further, says Murphy Wine Company

Published: 11 August, 2014

Murphy Wine Company's latest price list, dated July 30, 2014, shows further tightening of Pinot Grigio stocks globally as Californian producers say their crop could be down by around one third.

Coe Vintners launches interactive digital wine brochure

Published: 11 August, 2014

Coe Vintners has launched its first digital wine and spirits brochure, allowing customers to interact with images, maps and information on wines as opposed to more traditional lists.

Wine & Spirit Education Trust boosts student numbers by 16%

Published: 11 August, 2014

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust attracted 16% more students in the past year as the importance of education in the wine industry globally continues to grow.

California's wine industry prepares for 'lighter' crop

Published: 11 August, 2014

California is preparing itself for a smaller harvest than 2013 - which was a bumper crop at 4 million tonnes - with some varieties looking to be down by around one third.

South African wine under the microscope

Published: 08 August, 2014

South Africa may be known for its value-for-money wine, but the country is vying for a spot in more premium territory, as Gemma McKenna and Erin Smith find out

High street wine retailers take a fresh look at franchising

Published: 08 August, 2014

As Oddbins announces plans to open up 200 franchise stores, Gemma McKenna looks at franchising in the wine trade and, as the economy recovers, asks whether taking on a business that already has the wow factor could be the way forward

Pinot Grigio shortage could see consumers opt for other white wines

Published: 07 August, 2014

Pinot Grigio is in short supply on the bulk market around the globe, which is starting to push up prices.

Tour de France helps Cono Sur wine double sales to £14m

Published: 07 August, 2014

Concha y Toro wine brand Cono Sur is toasting a £7m boost to sales - growth of 100% - which has catapulted it into fourth position in the Chilean brand leader board in the UK off-trade.

Wine must adapt its branding for China or face failure

Published: 07 August, 2014

Wine firms that do not adapt their brands for the Chinese market - such as by having a Chinese brand name - face "immediate disadvantage" and possible failure.

Start-up Wineist sends sample wine packs direct to consumers

Published: 06 August, 2014

Slovenian start-up firm Wineist has landed upon a unique concept - to send out monthly wine tasting kits, complete with samples to consumers the world over.

Bloom gin launches upmarket rose lemonade RTD

Published: 06 August, 2014

Bloom gin is expanding its range of upmarket ready-to-serve drinks with its gin and rose lemonade - presented in an old-fashioned glass bottle.

Diana Hunter, Conviviality CEO, on the new BB's Warehouse concept

Published: 06 August, 2014

Diana Hunter is chief executive of Conviviality Retail, owner of the Bargain Booze network. Last week the firm announced the launch of a new concept - BB's Warehouse - a destination discount off-licence warehouse. Gemma McKenna finds out more.

Scotch whisky The Macallan gets green light for £100m distillery

Published: 06 August, 2014

Edrington's The Macallan whisky brand is to get a new £100 million distillery and visitor centre in Speyside, after Moray Council granted planning permission.

Circle 360 plans to expand its shopping centre Champagne bar concept to up to 20 UK sites

Published: 05 August, 2014

Champagne and cocktail bar concept Circle 360 is planning to have 15 to 20 UK sites by the end of 2015, with its first international outlets also in the pipeline.