Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Living Ventures opens specialist Liverpool rum bar

Published: 14 November, 2013

Restaurant operator Living Ventures has opened a specialist rum bar The Smugglers Cove in Albert Dock, Liverpool, in a £1 million investment.

Baileys launches Christmas campaign

Published: 14 November, 2013

Diageo's cream liqueur brand Baileys is to take to the TV with its first Christmas advert in five years. The theme is a "contemporary twist on Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker ballet" and it was choreographed by Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied.

Wine fair RAW annouces dates in London and Vienna

Published: 14 November, 2013

The artisan wine fair RAW, has announced two dates for 2014, including its third London event and its first out-of-London fair in Vienna, with the possibility of more events being rolled out in the future.

West Coast Tri-state tasting to come to the UK in 2014

Published: 13 November, 2013

"Go West!", an event that will bring California, Oregon and Washington states together for the most comprehensive joint generic tasting for the region, is scheduled to take place on March 17, 2014 at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, London.

Sipsmith's V.J.O.P. (Very Junipery Over Proof) Gin

Published: 13 November, 2013

Sipsmith, the first copper pot distillery to open in London for nearly 200 years, is delighted to announce the launch of V.J.O.P. (Very Junipery Over Proof) gin. The spirit will be available to the on-trade and independents across the UK from the middle of November.

Russian Standard Vodka launches multi-million pound TV campaign

Published: 13 November, 2013

Russian Standard is planning to accelerate its UK growth with the launch of its "milestone" multi-million pound TV and cinema adverts.

Retailers use social media to make more consumer friendly wines

Published: 13 November, 2013

Retailers are increasingly turning to social media to help create new wines they hope will prove popular with consumers.

Discovering the world of sake cocktails

Published: 13 November, 2013

With Japanese eateries becoming ever more fashionable, sake cocktails have become increasingly popular. Due to the huge variation of sake styles and flavour profiles available, and the added element of variable serving temperature, sake is particularly dynamic. During London Cocktail Week, I asked some trade experts for their opinion on how sake can best be used in cocktails.

'Best of Wine Tourism' 2014 winners announced

Published: 13 November, 2013

The Great Wine Capitals Global Network, an alliance of ten international wine regions, announced the nine winners of its 2014 International Best of Wine Tourism Awards at a gala dinner held November 12, at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California.

Jancis Robinson passes the torch as WSET honorary president

Published: 12 November, 2013

Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW is to follow Jancis Robinson OBE, MW, who served for the last three years, as the new honorary president of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's (WSET) effective from January 20, 2014.

Heston Blumenthal to open restaurant in Heathrow's revamped Terminal 2

Published: 12 November, 2013

Celebrity chef, Heston Blumenthal, will be opening a new restaurant in Terminal 2: The Queen's Terminal at Heathrow Airport, which is set to open on June 4, 2014, with dishes showcasing traditional British fare.

Sotheby's to sell 100 cases of Opus One for $165,000

Published: 12 November, 2013

Sotheby's wine retail store is selling 100 six bottle cases of iconic Californian wine, Opus One, as a one off collection starting today for only the next four days, with vintages spanning from 1997 to 2005, for $165,000.

Distell appoints new GM for duty-free Europe

Published: 12 November, 2013

Markus Habermann has been appointed general manager for Distell's European duty-free business

Hangingditch in Manchester to hold sixth annual wine fair

Published: 11 November, 2013

Independent wine merchant, Hangingditch, is set to host its sixth annual wine fair in Manchester this Friday, November 19, from 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Manchester Cathedral, with live music, food and over 175 wines and spirits to taste.

Pernod Ricard launches UK online store

Published: 11 November, 2013

Pernod Ricard has launched its first online drinks store for the UK market called Sipstor, where consumers can purchase exclusive products from brands such as Absolut, Beefeater, Chivas and Jameson.

London Cru opens for tours and supper clubs

Published: 08 November, 2013

Central London's first urban winery is officially open for tours starting this Saturday, 9 November, where it will host tours for the public along with other opportunities throughout the month, like becoming a winemaker for a day or dining in the barrel room with a series of supper clubs the winery will be hosting.

Seifried Estate's Old Coach Road range gets rebranded

Published: 08 November, 2013

Fells distributed, Nelson-based winery Seifried Estate, has revamped its Old Coach Road range in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Nightclub owners opening new venture called Mason House

Published: 08 November, 2013

Marc Merran, Eamonn Mulholland and Jean Philippe Kley, the team behind other nightclub ventures in London including Beat, Mo*Vida, Chinawhite, Aura and Fifity, are set to open a new venture, Mason House, on Argyll Street at the end of Novemeber, built in the vaults of the London Palladium.

BrewDog to max out 'Equity for Punks' scheme

Published: 08 November, 2013

BrewDog, the largest independent Scottish brewery, announced on 7^th November it would be offering an additional 2,600shares valued at £250,000 due to demand from 'fanvestors'; maximizing the number of shares it is able to sell in its 'Equity for Punks' crowdfunding scheme

Treasury Wine Estates faces lawsuit

Published: 07 November, 2013

The hangover continues for Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) following its AUD $160 million write down earlier in the year; TWE now faces a lawsuit by Melbourne City Investments and second potential class action lawsuit funded by IMF Ltd and Maurice Blackburn lawyers who, to date, have only publicised their potential intent to undertake a shareholder class-action case against TWE but who have not, at this stage, commenced any legal proceedings.