Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WineGB Wessex appoints Jacob Leadley as new chair

Published: 13 October, 2021

WineGB Wessex has appointed Black Chalk winemaker and CEO Jacob Leadley as its new chair from 9 November.

Headline hero: Olivier Richaud, Domaine d’Aussières

Published: 12 October, 2021

Since you started your tenure at d’Aussières in 2020, what key changes have you overseen at the estate?

Nyetimber unveiled as wine producer of the year

Published: 11 October, 2021

Nyetimber was unveiled as Wine Producer of the Year in the first-ever Tim Atkin MW England Special Wine Report.

When in Rome implements climate footprint labels

Published: 11 October, 2021

When in Rome, the Stroud-based wine company, has revealed that it has become the first wine brand in the UK to implement a climate footprint label on its packaging.

France Report: The Rhône’s great whites

Published: 11 October, 2021

A fresher, technology-driven approach to white wine in the Rhône is helping producers in both the north and south of the region to find an audience, as Simon Woods reports.

Diversity scholars recognised at The 2021 Golden Vines Awards

Published: 11 October, 2021

The 2021 Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships have been awarded to Angela Elizabeth Scott from the USA and Dr Erna Blancquaert from South Africa.

Wine Drinkers UK call for wine duty freeze

Published: 07 October, 2021

A combination of climate change, labour shortages and increased shipping costs are threatening Britain’s wine supplies, with price rises likely to follow, Wine Drinkers UK (WDUK) has claimed.

Long Read: Will vogue for organic grow beyond pandemic?

Published: 07 October, 2021

The organic market, along with its wine and beer subdivision, swelled during the past year, but whether this was a spur-of-the-moment spike driven merely by the pandemic remains to be seen. Callum Saunders, planning director at Zeal Creative, dives into the UK trend to explore whether organic wine and beer is set to be a staple in the drinks sector.

Alliance Wine strengthens team with new appointments

Published: 06 October, 2021

Alliance Wine has revealed it has strengthened its business with two new appointments.

Discovering the charms of Roussillon

Published: 06 October, 2021

As the home of France’s fortified sweet wines, with a dazzling array of soils and microclimates forming a vinous bridge between France and Spain, the Roussillon deserves to be recognised as a distinct region with its own unique identify. Jo Gilbert discovers a region ready to stand on its own two feet. In partnership with Wines of Roussillon.

Feudi di San Gregorio obtains Equalitas Corporate certification

Published: 05 October, 2021

Feudi di San Gregorio, one of southern Italy’s major wine companies, has obtained Equalitas Corporate certification for the year 2021.

Kingsland Drinks signs new partnership with The Iconic Estate

Published: 05 October, 2021

Kingsland Drinks has agreed a new partnership with Romanian wine producer – The Iconic Estate – in a move to further broaden its offering.

Producer Q&A: Niël Groenewald and Zinaschke Steyn, Nederburg

Published: 05 October, 2021

Nederburg is the largest exporter of premium wine in South Africa, carrying a torch as a standard bearer for the country worldwide. Jo Gilbert talks bans, lockdown harvests and mental health resets with two of the company’s leading figures, MD Niël Groenewald and red winemaker, Zinaschke Steyn,

Cross-industry call for permanent lower VAT rate

Published: 04 October, 2021

Following the recent call from The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) for the Treasury to extend the hospitality VAT reduction, leading trade bodies from the hospitality and tourism sector have aligned to add their voice to the plea.

WSTA calls for duty freeze and extended VAT reduction in Budget

Published: 04 October, 2021

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the Treasury to freeze wine and spirit duty and extend the hospitality VAT reduction in the Autumn Budget to allow the country to climb out of the Covid-19 slump.

Casa Real joins La Place

Published: 30 September, 2021

Chile’s Casa Real has become the latest New World producer to offer wine through La Place de Bordeaux, with its 2018 Reserva Especial marked for distribution via this high-end route to market with immediate effect.

IWCA membership swells with 12 new high-profile applicants

Published: 30 September, 2021

The International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) grouping has accepted application for membership from 12 new wineries to join its ranks.

Long read: Raising a glass to Australian wines

Published: 30 September, 2021

The UK’s love for Australian wines shows no signs of abating. With good availability, competitive pricing, and good transport and distribution networks, supply from Australia is still extremely attractive for UK buyers and wine drinkers. Here, Paul Braydon, buying controller for Kingsland Drinks, delves into the wine trends emerging from Australia, shares insights on the category post-FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and what the UK drinks sector can expect to see next.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris’ comeback planned for 2022

Published: 30 September, 2021

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is returning to the city’s Expo Porte de Versailles in February 2022 for its third edition – the first time the event has been held in person since 2020.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Do you mind being lied to?

Published: 30 September, 2021

I have never been to The Sportsman pub in Seasalter near Whitstable on the Kent coast. The loss is all mine. Described as “a grotty rundown pub by the sea” it has held a Michelin star since 2008 thanks to the efforts of chef-patron Stephen Harris. I haven’t met Stephen either, but like others who have eaten at Noble Rot’s restaurant in London’s Bloomsbury, I have benefited from his skills in the kitchen. He became executive chef of NR at the outset, overseeing menus that have satisfied customers since day one.