Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Australian harvest smaller than 2013, with quality "mixed bag"

Published: 25 March, 2014

The Australian harvest looks to be smaller than 2013, with quality a "mixed bag", say experts.

Spanish wine storms into second place at Laithwaite's

Published: 25 March, 2014

Spain has become its second-biggest category for Laithwaite's wine in the UK market, after sales rocketed by 10% since July 2013.

?Kingsland appoints Guy Young as commercial director

Published: 25 March, 2014

Kingsland Wine & Spirits has appointed Guy Young as commercial director following Rob Page's move to Bavaria UK as managing director.

Major shake-up at Ehrmanns

Published: 24 March, 2014

As part of a major shake-up at director level within Ehrmanns, two senior executives are leaving the business and their replacements have already been found.

Industry leaders say reduced glass recycling costs have saved businesses

Published: 24 March, 2014

Senior figures in the wine trade say steps to cut exorbitant charges for glass recycling could save some companies from going out of business.

Accolade Wines' no longer 'slow to react', says UK chief

Published: 24 March, 2014

Accolade Wines' UK general manager says cultural changes at the company and a smaller team have made it more responsive to customers.

ProWein gets off to strong start, says fair director

Published: 24 March, 2014

Dusseldorf's international wine trade fair ProWein has got off to a strong start, with visitor numbers for day one slightly up on last year.

Wine shipments from the west coast of America threatened by strikes

Published: 20 March, 2014

Wine shipments in and out of the west coast of the US could be seriously hampered by possible strike action at 29 major ports.

Budget 2014: Younger consumers look to boost own finances

Published: 20 March, 2014

In the wake of yesterday's Budget, which targeted pensioners and savers, research shows the younger generation is taking proactive measures to boost its finances.

Consumers prefer screwcaps, says survey

Published: 20 March, 2014

A survey of 6,000 consumers has shown that the majority prefer screwcaps over other closures because they're more convenient.

Alcohol duty escalator scrapped in Budget

Published: 19 March, 2014

The alcohol duty escalator has been scrapped, while duty on spirits has been frozen and beer duty has been cut by 1p per pint.

Not to sound the pessimistic klaxon over what's gone down in today's Budget, but once the dust settles on what the trade has bid a roundly successful announcement (end to alcohol duty escalator, spirits and cider duty frozen and beer duty cut), let's pause for a moment to think about what's happened with wine.

Scrapping duty escalator will benefit wine and spirits trade by £175m

Published: 19 March, 2014

Scrapping the duty escalator and freezing spirits duty will boost the wine and spirits trade to the tune of £175 million, says the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Gemma McKenna

Published: 19 March, 2014

Harpers News Editor

Gemma McKenna: No sour grapes over Budget

Published: 19 March, 2014

Budget 2014 Live Updates: Trade celebrates the end of duty escalator

Published: 19 March, 2014

The trade has united to welcome Chancellor George Osborne's announcement that he is ending the duty escalator for alcohol and freezing spirits duty.

Drinks trade nervously anticipates Budget

Published: 19 March, 2014

As time runs out before the 2014 Budget is announced later today, the drinks trade nervously shuffles its papers following a hard-fought campaign to scrap the duty escalator.

Caution urged as eating-out sector returns to growth

Published: 19 March, 2014

The restaurant sector is returning to growth, but operators are urged not to take the recovery for granted, hears Horizons annual conference.

French wine prices skyrocket following second small harvest

Published: 19 March, 2014

Two years of small harvests are taking their toll on French wine prices, with appellation wines up 18% on average on 2012.

Q&A with Nick Mantella, managing director Grupo Codorniu UK

Published: 19 March, 2014

Nick Mantella shares his views on how Cava can compete with the fast-growing Prosecco, its plans to expand its branded portfolio, and Spanish wines in the UK market.