Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Consumer confidence hits a six year high

Published: 30 October, 2013

Consumer confidence has jumped to its highest level since 2007, according to new figures released by Nielsen.

Average French bottle of wine now sells for £6.20 says France Summit

Published: 30 October, 2013

The average bottle of French wine in the UK off-trade sold for £6.10 in the 12 weeks up to October 22 compared to the market average of £5.24, according to figures released at last week's inaugural Harpers France Summit in London.

Pernod Ricard and Diageo report mixed figures for first quarter performance

Published: 24 October, 2013

First quarter results issued this week have revealed mixed fortunes for the sector's major drinks companies with Pernod Ricard posting an organic net sales loss of 1%, whilst Diageo returned an organic net sales growth of 3.1%.

Q1 results: who were the winners and losers?

Published: 24 October, 2013

Q1 net sales results are coming in and while Pernod Ricard posted an organic net sales 1% loss, Diageo posted an organic net sales growth of 3.1%.

Live report from the France Summit 2013

Published: 22 October, 2013

The darling of the UK market, France, is being celebrated today at St Ermin's Hotel in London, with players in all channels coming together to discuss the importance and future of the UK's favourite wine-producing country.

Celebrate the fourth annual Champagne Day on October 25

Published: 22 October, 2013

Pop the Champagne and get ready to celebrate the fourth annual International Champagne Day this Friday, October 25.

Jean Lenoir releases educational tool Le Nez du Whisky

Published: 22 October, 2013

Jean Lenoir, the famed "Nose" and creator of the Le Nez du Vin, is releasing a new book-style case with 54 aromas focused on the different essences of whisky with Le Nez du Whisky.

Indian restaurant Zumbura to open in London

Published: 22 October, 2013

Aamir Ahmad, Sean Galligan and David Garrett, co-founders of the furniture retailer Dwell, are starting a new venture in Clapham, London, with the opening of an Indian restaurant Zumbura on November 6.

EU and Canada trade agreement will benefit UK wine and spirits

Published: 21 October, 2013

Negotiations concluded last week for a Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada, which will help UK distillers and wine producers import and compete more easily in Canada.

Spirits companies should work harder to protect margins, warns Rabobank

Published: 21 October, 2013

If spirit companies are to generate growth in a depressed market they are better to concentrate on protecting margins than trying to drive volumes, according to Rabobank, financial experts for the drinks industry.

Wines of Argentina launches Instagram campaign

Published: 21 October, 2013

Wines of Argentina has launched a new Instagram campaign, The Wine Caption, calling on consumers to post any images that capture the spirit of Argentina, with the winning photo becoming the centrepiece of a global ad campaign in 2014 and the photographer sent on a five-day all-expenses-paid trip to Argentina.

Penfolds recorking clinic to return to London

Published: 18 October, 2013

Iconic Australian wine brand Penfolds will be hosting a recorking clinic, the first in five years, on October 22 at the Berkeley hotel in London, offering collectors and owners an opportunity to have their wines examined and recorked if necessary.

Finest Fizz offers personalised Champagne for Christmas

Published: 17 October, 2013

Finest Fizz, an new import company that focuses on small independent producers of Champagne, will be offering consumers the opportunity to put their own label on the bottle, which could make for a great gift this Christmas.

Early frost in Chile set to bump up wine export prices

Published: 16 October, 2013

Chilean wine export prices are likely to rise in the coming months after the country was hit by an early frost two weeks ago that kept temperatures below freezing for eight days.

Trade flocks to inaugural Wines from Rioja tasting

Published: 16 October, 2013

The inaugural Wines from Rioja Trade Tasting, which was held last week at the OXO2, attracted more than 600 people to the largest collection of Rioja wines ever shown under one roof in the UK.

Williams Bros Brewing Co plans urban brewery in Glasgow

Published: 16 October, 2013

The Williams Bros Brewing Co in collaboration with C&C Group has filed a planning application to start an urban craft brewery in Glasgow's historic East End.

Largest Croatian wine tasting in the UK to be held in London

Published: 15 October, 2013

On October 17 at the Westbury Hotel in London 150 Croatian wines will be showcased by 30 wine producers, making it the largest tasting of Croatian wines to be held in the UK.

Italy to host first English sparkling wine tasting

Published: 15 October, 2013

Today will see the first ever English sparkling wine tasting take place in Italy.

Berry Bros & Rudd set for multi-million pound losses as restructuring continues

Published: 14 October, 2013

Berry Bros & Rudd, the 315 year-old family owned wine merchants, is reported to be filing a £7.3 million pre-tax loss for this financial year.

Diageo revamps key brand campaigns for Christmas

Published: 14 October, 2013

Diageo will be investing heavily in new media campaigns for its key brands Baileys, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker Red Label for the upcoming festive period.