Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Analysis: Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024

Published: 10 May, 2024

Harpers is once again inviting nominations for this year’s iteration of the hotly contested list of leading UK drinks wholesalers.

Taste Off: Volcanic Wines

Published: 27 March, 2024

Andrew Catchpole gathered together a panel to taste and debate the merits of this fashionable but rather niche category.

Lea & Sandeman unveils 15 Grower Champagnes at Spring tasting

Published: 18 May, 2023

The saying goes ‘When one door closes another one opens’, and in the case of top merchant and wholesaler Lea & Sandeman, the Champagne shortage has presented an opportunity.

Lea & Sandeman appoints experienced Ukrainian importer and distributor to its sales team

Published: 10 May, 2023

Harpers’ 50 Best Indie Merchant Lea & Sandeman has appointed Anton Kuts as its new trade sales representative for the Southwest, covering Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.

National Wine Agency of Georgia reveals 2023 UK campaign

Published: 20 March, 2023

The 2023 Wines of Georgia campaign run by Swirl Wine Group on behalf of the National Wine Agency of Georgia, has been launched. The campaign, which includes a Trade & Press Tasting in London on 23 May, will further develop the growing market for Georgian wines in the UK.

First ever ‘French Champions’ awarded at VIN

Published: 02 February, 2023

The first-ever edition of The French Champion Awards took place at VIN, the flagship trade tasting dedicated to French wines in London organised by Business France, the French governmental trade agency.

Personality and value from winning indie wholesaler Lea & Sandeman

Published: 18 July, 2022

In last month’s edition of Harpers, we unveiled our annual Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers. In 10th place on that list was Lea & Sandeman, the independent wine merchant with a penchant for grower-led, artisanal wines from around the world.

Lea & Sandeman expands on-trade team

Published: 17 January, 2019

Lea & Sandeman has expanded its on-trade team with the addition of Sophie Picheta.

Lea & Sandeman talks renewed wholesaling focus

Published: 10 April, 2018

Quality London retailer and wholesaler Lea & Sandeman is putting renewed focus into re-building its on-trade wholesale arm, following the tragic death of founding member Patrick Sandeman in 2012.

Harpers’ Shop Rioja winners help deliver big value uplift

Published: 20 December, 2017

This year’s Shop Rioja winners Cork’s Out and Mumbles Fine Wines helped drive an 82.5% increase in volume sales, with an impressive average sale price per bottle of £18.50, across the 100 independent outlets involved in the promotion.