Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Penfolds releases 2013 Bin Collection

Published: 01 March, 2013

Penfolds has released more wines from the 2010 vintage - described by its chief winemaker as the "finest since 1990" - as part of its 2013 Bin Series collection.

Sud de France ramps up promotional activity

Published: 28 February, 2013

Sud de France hopes to build interest in the region in the UK through a combination of wine promotions and competitions with the trade, and running food, wine and cultural festivals with consumers.

WSET appoints two new trustees

Published: 27 February, 2013

Andrew Hawes, the managing director of Mentzendorff, and global drinks consultant Jonathan Driver have been appointed as WSET trustees.

Charles Back opens Spice Route in Paarl

Published: 26 February, 2013

South African wine producer Charles Back has opened his new Spice Route destination in Paarl, in a bid to introduce tourists to his Swartland range of Spice Route wines.

Loire exports hit double-digit growth

Published: 26 February, 2013

Exports for Loire white, red, rosé and sparkling wines to the UK grew by 11% in volume for the year 2012, and the region has also seen a significant growth in value.

Wine Australia announces online wine research project

Published: 25 February, 2013

Wine Australia has announced a new research project into the UK online wine market in a bid to identify new opportunities for Australian wine producers to grow their business in this channel.

New hire at Percy Fox as Diageo looks to build on-trade wine sales

Published: 22 February, 2013

Diageo has appointed Matt Bream as category development manager of its Percy Fox & Co wine business.

WSTA warns of minimum alcohol pricing risks

Published: 20 February, 2013

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association has warned that minimum alcohol pricing plans risk boosting crime, as well as damaging UK businesses and consumer health.

Rioja enjoys record export highs

Published: 19 February, 2013

The DOCa Rioja has kept its sales over 355 million bottles for the third year in a row, with exports growing by 5.5%, offsetting the decline in sales in Spain.

Brancott Estate releases first limited edition Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 18 February, 2013

Pernod Ricard has launched the first limited edition Sauvingon Blanc for its Brancott Estate brand.

Jacob's Creek launches low-alcohol rosé

Published: 15 February, 2013

US wine giant Jacob's Creek has launched low-alcohol Summer Blush, at 5.5% abv, just in time for the summer months.

Three Wine Men to turn wine into water on charity walk

Published: 15 February, 2013

The Three Wine Men, Olly Smith, Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin are inviting people to undertake a six mile wine walk for charity to help fund water projects in Africa.

International Gamay Competition announces 2013 winners

Published: 14 February, 2013

The third annual International Gamay Competition has announced the winners from its 2013 awards, which included a new category of sparkling wine.

Gérard Bertrand signs up with Hallgarten Druitt

Published: 08 February, 2013

Hallgarten Druitt, the national wine distributor, has added south west French producer, Gérard Bertrand, to its growing branded wine portfolio.

UK to remain top wine importer, despite projected slump

Published: 06 February, 2013

Still wine sales in the UK are set to decline for another five years, as consumers scale back on consumption but trade up to more expensive bottles, according to Vinexpo.

South Africa wine collective in premium push

Published: 05 February, 2013

Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa, a collective of like-minded, independent producers, has been launched in a bid to to raise the profile of premium South African wine.

Retailers raise a glass to Comic Relief

Published: 01 February, 2013

From today online retailers, supermarkets and off - licences will donate a proportion of their sales to help disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa as part of Wine Relief 2013.

Australian Vintage to build on its branded wine offer in UK

Published: 01 February, 2013

Australian Vintage is teaming up with MasterChef's John Torode as it looks to strengthen its position in the UK branded wine market, both through its core McGuigan portfolio and new product launches.

Price gap between own-label and branded wines to narrow

Published: 01 February, 2013

Soaring supply prices could be good news for branded wines as the price gap is set to reduce between own labels and big brands, according to Rabobank.

Real Wine Fair moves to March

Published: 30 January, 2013

The 2013 Real Wine Fair has moved to March to avoid another May clash with rival natural wine fair RAW. The two day event features 120 natural, organic and biodynamic growers and winemakers.