Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Thieves steal £500,000 of wine from Paris restaurant

Published: 03 July, 2019

Thieves have broken into the cellar of a two-star Michelin restaurant in Paris and stolen at least 150 bottlse of wine, it has been reported.

R&D vineyard opens doors for Fruit Focus

Published: 02 July, 2019

A tour of the NIAB EMR’s research vineyard at East Malling will be one of the highlights of Fruit Focus 2019, the leading annual technical event for the UK fruit industry.

WSTA strengthens board with two new appointments

Published: 02 July, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added to new members to its board as it looks ahead to Brexit.

Importer Insight: Seckford Agencies

Published: 01 July, 2019

Seckford was founded in 1999 by Pippa Woods to highlight the brilliant wines of the new world. Twenty years on the importer now works with almost 50 producers from across the new world, with Australia, New Zealand and South Africa being particular strongholds.

McGuigan signs £2m deal to sponsor UKTV’s Drama channel

Published: 01 July, 2019

McGuigan has signed a £2m deal to sponsor UKTV’s Drama channel, marking its largest investment in a UK national advertising campaign to date.

Wine GB moves annual tasting to the autumn

Published: 01 July, 2019

Wine GB has moved its annual trade tasting from its traditional springtime to the autumn, with this year’s event taking place 4th September.

Jascots adds Loire producer Château Pierre-Bise

Published: 01 July, 2019

Jascots has signed a deal as distributor of Savennières and Anjou producer Château Pierre-Bise.

Sogrape takes majority stake in Liberty Wines

Published: 28 June, 2019

Sogrape is ramping up its investment in Liberty Wines, in a move that will increase its 2017 investment to a majority share in the business.

Trade should stop bottling it on carbon emissions

Published: 28 June, 2019

Bottling and packaging play by far the largest role in the green house gas (GHG) emissions generated by the production and distribution of a wine, contributing 42% of the total carbon footprint, delivering a clear ‘innovation challenge’ for the trade if it is to fully join the march towards greater sustainability.

Saunders wins chairman role at WSTA

Published: 28 June, 2019

Michael Saunders, chief executive of Bibendum PLB, has been appointed by the WSTA as its new chairman. He takes over from outgoing chairman, Dan Jago.

Winetraders signs up Hampshire’s Exton Park

Published: 28 June, 2019

Winetraders has expanded its listings with the addition of English sparkling wine producer Exton Park.

Time to change perception of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 27 June, 2019

New Zealand’s much-loved Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc needs to change its ‘drink now’ image to help boost consumer understanding of its more complex, premium and age-worthy styles.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why wine brands are here to stay

Published: 24 June, 2019

Branded wines beware! Man your defences! Private Labels are on the march, and they are coming to get you.

Casella confirms ‘number of approaches’ for wine brands

Published: 21 June, 2019

Casella Family Brands, owner of Yellow Tail and Peter Lehman, has confirmed it has received “a number of approaches” in relation to its wine brands, but has refuted rumours that it has commenced a sale process.

Berkmann expands Greek portfolio

Published: 21 June, 2019

Berkmann Wine Cellars has expanded its Greek portfolio with the addition of Thymiopoulos Vineyards.

Brancott Estate brings low calorie and low abv range back to the UK

Published: 21 June, 2019

Brancott Estate is gearing up to re-introduce its low calorie and lighter abv range, Flight Series, to the UK.

Q&A: Justine McGovern and Damien Jackman, directors, California Wine Institute UK & Ireland

Published: 21 June, 2019

Ahead of a joint Harpers-California Wine Institute session on sustainability (details below), Andrew Catchpole catches up with the team fronting the Golden State’s wines

British Ambassadors call for more British wine and spirits at international events

Published: 20 June, 2019

The UK’s Ambassadors and senior diplomats have said they want to serve more English wine and British gin.

Former Diageo executive launches botanic wine

Published: 20 June, 2019

A new English sparkling botanic wine created with therapeutic herbs has been launched in the UK.

Jeroboams: growing an empire

Published: 20 June, 2019

With Jeroboams’ takeover of Prohibition Wines now complete, Jo Gilbert caught up with the London merchant to find out how it continues to successfully adapt its DNA