Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New Sake launch coincides with UNESCO 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' award

Published: 09 December, 2024

Aumont Brewery, a leading firm based in the province of Niigata, has unveiled a new brand of Japanese rice wine called Kay Sake.

British alcohol sales rise in CPTPP countries

Published: 04 January, 2024

Sales of British alcohol products such as English sparkling and Scotch whisky are on the rise in the Indo-Pacific region, the UK government has announced.

Rathfinny consolidates Asia Pacific foothold

Published: 31 August, 2023

Rathfinny Estate has announced a new partnership with leading Japanese importer Vin Passion, extending the producer’s reach in the Asia-Pacific region.

English wine exports double

Published: 08 September, 2020

Exports of English wine more than doubled in 2019 while sales overall rocketed 70%, according to the latest data from Wine GB released today.

Friday Read: Ten years of Koshu

Published: 14 February, 2020

Koshu was virtually unknown in the UK a decade ago when the Koshu of Japan promotion began. Jo Gilbert looks at the rise of a distinctively eastern wine in a western market

The Malt Lounge And Bar

Published: 16 December, 2019

THE MALT LOUNGE AND BAR

Weeklong celebration of Japanese exports heads to London

Published: 16 September, 2019

Japan Week is launching in London next week, giving a spotlight to the uptick of Japanese wines, spirits and sakes across the capital.

Alcohol sales fall worldwide, but with recovery to follow, predicts the IWSR

Published: 31 May, 2019

Global alcohol consumption fell back by 1.6% in 2018, according to new data from the IWSR, with some 27.6 billion nine-litre cases being consumed.

Japan: ready to launch

Published: 13 March, 2019

Thanks to two key trade deals, Japan has increased its reach to a billion people so far in 2019. Jo Gilbert looks at the knock-on effect for the country’s drinkable exports

Wines of Japan: Harpers takes a closer look at what the country has to offer

Published: 08 November, 2018

Japan has had a boost in winemaking productivity over the past decade, particularly among smaller, artisanal producers who are now leading the charge for quality and innovation. We took a closer look at a country which is focusing outwards on growing its reputation and inwards on winemaking expertise.

Japan prepares to take on the world at second Wines of Japan tasting

Published: 07 November, 2018

As Japan continues to make waves in whisky, pushing outwards with its own distinctive style and winning awards left, right and centre, wine is poised to follow suit. Harpers joined Sarah Abbott MW at a recent Wines of Japan tasting – the follow-up to the inaugural UK event in February this year. We discovered a country ready to build on the newly signed free trade deal with Europe and take on the wine world.

Chile hits the spot with Japanese wine drinkers as they switch from Old to New World

Published: 05 September, 2018

The notion that wine consumption in Japan is primarily limited to Old World countries has shifted with research revealing a clear focus on the New World.

Major sake festival pins down first date in London

Published: 23 July, 2018

The Joy of Sake, the world’s largest sake celebration outside Japan, has announced the date of its first-ever London date.

SWA heads to Japan to insulate trade against Brexit

Published: 31 August, 2017

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) chief executive Karen Betts is this week joining the Prime Minister Theresa May and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox on a business delegation to Japan to ensure that trade opportunities aren’t scuppered by Brexit.

Sake brewery aims to revitalise whisky operations

Published: 23 January, 2017

The Wakatsuru Shuzo sake brewery is to reinvest in whisky production again following a round of crowdfunding.

Koshu London wine tasting enters eighth year

Published: 21 December, 2016

Koshu of Japan has announced the date of its eighth annual London wine tasting.

Insights: Sake's new image

Published: 05 September, 2016

Not long ago sake was the preserve of Japanese restaurants, often low quality, cheap and served hot. But standards and times have changed with the rise in popularity of superior premium sakes.

Kyoto Distillery granted production licence to produce Japan's first gin

Published: 19 August, 2016

Japan's first artisan gin producer, The Kyoto Distillery, has been granted a production licence, to begin producing its inaugural release KI NO BI Dry Gin.

Premium yuzu liqueur from Isake International goes on sale in Selfridges

Published: 30 March, 2016

Isake International has announced the launch of a new premium yuzu liqueur, which will be available through Selfridges from next month.

Hallgarten marks International Women's Day with Women With Bottle promotion

Published: 07 March, 2016

Leading UK distributor Hallgarten Druitt & Novum has launched a three-month promotion celebrating women winemakers to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8.