Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Australia: Looking up

Published: 29 January, 2024

With Australia seeking a premium boost, Andrew Catchpole asks if its classic or contemporary styles are best positioned to deliver an ‘Oz reset’ in the UK.

SMEs owed £22,000 on average in late payments

Published: 13 December, 2023

Following a review of business payments and cash flow, the government has found that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were owed on average £22,000 in late payments in 2022.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Nik Darlington, Graft Wine

Published: 11 December, 2023

Following another eventful year for the drinks trade, Nik Darlington, marketing director at specialist importer Graft Wine, reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, plus hopes and plans for the year ahead, in our annual Q&A series.

Flying the flag for German wine

Published: 04 October, 2022

In 2021, the German wine culture garnered newfound global attention after it was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The Committee of Experts at UNESCO cited German wine culture as welcoming and vibrant, an adaptable tradition “firmly anchored in German society”, while highlighting its positive social and cultural aspects. In Germany, as elsewhere, wine culture has determined the rhythm of life of people in winegrowing regions for centuries. This gave rise to numerous customs, seasonal festivals and a vocabulary
of its own, as well as familiar phrases such as “pouring pure wine”, which means to tell the truth.

New Horizons Q&A: Nik Darlington, Graft Wine Company

Published: 15 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties playing out an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses to discover their predictions for the new year.

Bacchus to back The Drinks Trust

Published: 05 August, 2020

Wine trade runners from around the world are being encouraged to take part in a 50K Bacchus Sunrise Relay to raise money for The Drinks Trust on 6 September.

Economics of on-trade supply have “hit a brick wall”

Published: 10 July, 2020

The Covid-19 crisis has stripped bare the precarious economic situation of the on-trade and its supply-side, with a correction in the market necessary to improve profitability.

Hard Graft for charity during English Wine Week

Published: 15 June, 2020

Graft Wine Company co-founder Nik Darlington is set to run 100km between English vineyards during English Wine Week (20 to 28 June), launching an initiative to raise money for the Drinks Trust.

Global appetite for Great British Braai Off

Published: 29 May, 2020

The Great British Braai Off over the UK May Bank Holiday (23 to 25 May) is to become an annual event after what founder Nik Darlington described as a “hugely successful” first event.

WoSA launches ‘Spectacular South Africa’ campaign

Published: 13 May, 2020

As Cape wine exports pick up post the ban in April, Wines of South Africa (WoSA) is launching a new campaign on social media to promote “Spectacular South Africa”.

Soapbox: Nik Darlington on Brexit hubris

Published: 19 February, 2020

Our second entry in a series of topical viewpoints from the trade finds Graft Wines co-owner Nik Darlington cautioning British producers against talking up the alleged benefits of exiting the EU

South Western train strike adds to London hospitality woes

Published: 12 December, 2019

Nik Darlington from importer Graft, which specialises in supplying the London on-trade, says the South Western Railway strike alongside steep business rates and overbearing rents with could tip some hospitality businesses over the edge this Christmas…

Looking ahead: Nik Darlington, Graft Wines

Published: 02 September, 2019

As the first half of 2019 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Harpers’ Industry Briefing: Upping the stakes

Published: 13 June, 2019

At Harpers’ Industry Briefing at London Wine Fair, Andrew Catchpole invited leading trade figures to assess how best to build value and margin back into the wine category. Here are the highlights from a sometimes impassioned and insightful dicussion.

People's Choice Awards recognises women-driven wines

Published: 03 May, 2019

A wine competition judged by consumers has added a new category to highlight the contributions of female winemakers.

Looking ahead: Nik Darlington, Red Squirrel Wine

Published: 18 December, 2018

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

The indies tapping into craft beer

Published: 29 May, 2018

Talk into an indie merchant in 2018 and while you may be faced with wall upon wall of wine from here, there and everywhere, you’re just as likely to encounter a kaleidoscopic display of beers and ciders in bottles, cans, growlers and kegs.

UK Agents: are you being served?

Published: 04 January, 2018

I wish to be cremated… one tenth of my ashes shall be given to my agent, as written in my contract,” quipped Groucho Marx of the breed that acts for the stars. Finding humorous quotes at the expense of agents is easy work, whether levelled at the acting or commercial world, with these designated business representatives – popularly the “10 percenters” – coming in for flack for apparently sitting back while counting their cut for little in return.