Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Price cuts deliver unexpected bounce for Bordeaux 2019

Published: 09 July, 2020

A fast, four-week campaign with average price cuts of 21% confounded many expectations by delivering a successful En Primeur 2019 release.

New Zealand: Working with nature

Published: 03 July, 2020

New Zealand is one of the best-placed wine-producing countries to get the sustainability message across to consumers. Andrew Catchpole reports on how this paragon of environmental friendliness is furthering its green credentials

Friday Read: Multiple price pressures

Published: 03 July, 2020

The following nicely captures the predominant supplier view of UK supermarkets.

Self-imposed regulations risk UK’s standing as fine wine trading hub

Published: 01 July, 2020

The UK's status as a global trading hub for fine wine will face major risks from the additional burdens of government-imposed regulations when the UK ends its Brexit transition period at the close of the year.

Beronia joins Bid for Recovery auction

Published: 01 July, 2020

Top Rioja winery Beronia is putting up some plum prizes in conjunction with 50 Best Restaurants to help raise funds for the recovery of on-trade.

Off-Piste Wines: Rewriting the rules

Published: 01 July, 2020

Covid-19 came at a tricky time for Off-Piste Wines, which was forging ahead with plans to put an £8m investment to good use this summer. Jo Gilbert caught up with MD Andy Talbot to find out what Plan B looks like for this forward-thinking business.

Enotria reveals rebrand for its Great Western Wine retail arm

Published: 30 June, 2020

Enotria & Coe’s retail arm Great Western Wine has been rebranded The Great Wine Co.

Frugal Bottle shaves ‘up to 84%’ off carbon footprint

Published: 29 June, 2020

With the UK importing more than 1.6 billion heavy glass bottles of wine a year (WRAP figures), eco-packaging company Frugalpac has launched a lightweight ‘bottle’ that aims to significantly redress some of the trade’s carbon footprint.

New wine business by Fabio Adler crowdfunds to raise £5,000

Published: 29 June, 2020

A new London-based wine business, soon to be launched by The English Sparkling Wine Show founder Fabio Adler, is hoping to raise £5,000 via crowdfunding.

NZW announces “outstanding” vintage but smaller than expected crop

Published: 26 June, 2020

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has declared the 2020 vintage “outstanding” despite adverse Covid-19 conditions.

Majestic announces reopening

Published: 25 June, 2020

Majestic has announced that, bar "a handful" of stores, its 200-strong estate of retail stores will reopen for business tomorrow (Friday).

BBR confirms far reaching 'review' of troubled FMV

Published: 25 June, 2020

Berry Bros. & Rudd has confirmed that it is “reviewing” its Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) wholesale arm, with staff consultation ongoing, with the impact of the Covid-19 crisis almost certainly meaning that the business will not continue in its current shape or form.

Top Selection goes direct to consumer with online launch

Published: 25 June, 2020

Importer Top Selection has officially launched 9 Elms Wines, a new online wine and spirits retail arm, aimed at giving consumers direct access to “boutique wines” that the company said would “normally only be available to restaurants and specialist retailers”.

Cork Supply comes close to eliminating TCA

Published: 25 June, 2020

Portuguese closure manufacturer Cork Supply has unveiled new TCA extraction technology that it claims can achieve a success rate of 99.85% in eliminating the risk of cork taint in cork-sealed wines.

FMV in consultation with staff over future of business

Published: 24 June, 2020

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) is understood to be in consultation with its staff over the future of the company.

New Wines of Portugal president outlines key priorities

Published: 24 June, 2020

New Wines of Portugal president Frederico Falcão has pointed out his priorities for his three-year mandate.

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs 2020 award winners to be announced in November

Published: 23 June, 2020

Winners of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB Young Chef and Young Sommelier 2020 competitions will be announced at an awards dinner on 20 November.

BWS sales through grocers continue to boom

Published: 23 June, 2020

Alcohol sales through grocery stores continued to boom in the past four weeks, up 43% year-on-year, as the on-trade stayed shuttered.

Research confirms protracted on-trade recovery

Published: 22 June, 2020

A new survey of UK Hospitality (UKH) members has confirmed that hospitality businesses are expecting a lengthy and painful recovery, with levels of trade expected to be significantly supressed for many months to come.