Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

London welcomes seventh annual Japanese Koshu wine tasting

Published: 08 January, 2016

The seventh annual Koshu of Japan tasting will take place in London next month.

Guy Woodward: The many reasons to be thankful for our wine press

Published: 08 January, 2016

When my name first started appearing at the top of this page each month, I promised myself there was one topic that I would strenuously avoid. Eighteen months in, I'm about to break that promise...

Tim Atkin MW: Debating the merits of terroir

Published: 08 January, 2016

"Soil is dirt." I'm sure the Californian producer Bill Jekel was being deliberately provocative when he entered into a well-publicised debate about terroir with Bruno Prats of Château Cos d'Estournel at the end of the 1980s, but he was also articulating a position that was widely held in the New World at the time.

Justerini & Brooks signs exclusive deal with Château Unang

Published: 07 January, 2016

Fine wine merchant Justerini & Brooks has been appointed the new, sole agents for boutique Rhône winery Château Unang.

New World wines thrive in challenging Chinese market

Published: 07 January, 2016

The market for wine is rebounding strongly for New World wines, according to reports in the Chinese news media.

Buckingham Schenk to push key new Chilean brands at SITT

Published: 07 January, 2016

UK wine importer Buckingham Schenk is to unveil a range of wines from Chile's Garcés Silva Family Vineyards at the Specialist Importers Trade Tasting (SITT) in February.

French Wine Discoveries set for annual London tasting

Published: 06 January, 2016

The French Wine Discoveries tasting returns to London for its 14th year later this month.

English and Welsh wine sales bring Xmas cheer at Waitrose

Published: 06 January, 2016

Sales of English and Welsh wines at Waitrose were up 8.5% year on year in the six weeks to January 2, the upscale multiple retailer has reported.

Berry Bros predicts millennial flight to Old World quality

Published: 06 January, 2016

The millennial generation's quest for authenticity and the experience of discovery will lead it back to the classic wine regions this year, Berry Bros & Rudd has claimed in its New Year predictions.

London hipster district gets capital's first fine-wine burger restaurant

Published: 06 January, 2016

London's fashionable Dalston district is about to get the capital's first burger and fine-wine restaurant.

New EU regulations promise French wine-making revolution

Published: 05 January, 2016

EU regulations which came into force on January 1 will radically change wine production in France.

Cult Wines targets big growth with Hong Kong office launch

Published: 05 January, 2016

Fine wine investment company Cult Wines is to open a new office in Hong Kong as part of an ambitious growth strategy.

Kingscote winery goes up for sale following death of owner

Published: 05 January, 2016

The Kingscote Estate in East Grinstead, Sussex, has been put up for sale following the unexpected death of owner and founder Christian Monge last year.

Flint looks to Brooklyn's Red Hook for latest US winery listing

Published: 04 January, 2016

On-trade supplier Flint Wines has signed an exclusive deal to add Brooklyn's Red Hook Winery to its US portfolio.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Clare Griffiths, Concho y Toro

Published: 04 January, 2016

Our final look back at 2015 is from Clare Griffiths, commercial director for Concho y Toro UK which saw an impressive performance for 2015- which may be tough to beat. But looking ahead Griffiths is most excited about continuing the work her team has been doing in 2016 by focusing on building strong brands that deliver value in the UK market.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Bernard Fontannaz, Origin Wine

Published: 30 December, 2015

Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wine, looks back at an overall positive 2015 and is excited about the sustainable future he is building for his company. He had a year full of expansion and is looking forward to more innovation in 2016.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Dan Townsend, Treasury Wine Estates

Published: 29 December, 2015

Dan Townsend, general manager of Europe for Treasury Wine Estates, saw 2015 as very strong year at TWE and thinks that the reverse takeover of Matthew Clark by Conviviality "has the potential to be a real game changer in terms of the UK trading landscape." Townsend is most excited about the opportunities that lay ahead in 2016, but sees Duty as one of the toughest challenges that trade faces next year.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Sarah Abbott MW, Turkish Wine Alliance and Swirl

Published: 28 December, 2015

Sarah Abbott MW has her fingers in many pies, including running her own events company Swirl and helping clients like the Turkish Wine Alliance promote their wines in the UK. While 2015 was a brilliant year for her, she is looking forward to 2016 and helping wine producers in countries that face huge political and economic pressures promote their wines in the UK as wine in these countries is a symbol of defiant hope. But 2016 will also have challenges and she worries about the uncertainty of the UK remaining as part of the EU.

Time, please, ladies and gentlemen!

Published: 24 December, 2015

The Harpers team would like to wish all in the drinks trade a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as we pirouette into the seasonal festivities and look ahead to a successful 2016.

2015 year in review and hopes and fears for 2016: Andrew Maidment, Wines of Argentina

Published: 24 December, 2015

Andrew Maidment, the head of Wines of Argentina in the UK said 2015 was another great year with growth of 26% compared to 2014. Looking ahead though Maidment sees 2016 as year to continue to focus on the end drinker, but will be following the discount retailers next year.