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Scrapping duty escalator will benefit wine and spirits trade by £175m

Published:  19 March, 2014

Scrapping the duty escalator and freezing spirits duty will boost the wine and spirits trade to the tune of £175 million, says the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

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Scrapping duty escalator could be bad news for suppliers warns Robin Copestick

Published:  19 March, 2014

Robin Copestick, co-founder of UK wine agency Copestick Murray, has sounded a warning shot about the Chancellor's decision to scrap the duty escalator in today's Budget and fears suppliers will be forced to take on the costs of inflationary duty increases rather than the higher costs under the escalator that were easier to pass on to consumers.

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Budget 2014 Live Updates: Trade celebrates the end of duty escalator

Published:  19 March, 2014

The trade has united to welcome Chancellor George Osborne's announcement that he is ending the duty escalator for alcohol and freezing spirits duty.

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Drinks trade nervously anticipates Budget

Published:  19 March, 2014

As time runs out before the 2014 Budget is announced later today, the drinks trade nervously shuffles its papers following a hard-fought campaign to scrap the duty escalator.

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Q&A with Nick Mantella, managing director Grupo Codorniu UK

Published:  19 March, 2014

Nick Mantella shares his views on how Cava can compete with the fast-growing Prosecco, its plans to expand its branded portfolio, and Spanish wines in the UK market.

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The Benevolent Ball raises over £40k

Published:  18 March, 2014

The UK drinks trade united last week at the Benevolent charity ball, raising over £40,000 for colleagues in need.

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Wine price comparison site to predict when low prices are coming

Published:  18 March, 2014

Wine price comparison website Bring a Bottle is aiming to make predictions on when individual products will hit their lowest prices as the next phase in its development.

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California now making the "white space" wines people want to buy says Joel Peterson

Published:  18 March, 2014

California is now making and exporting what leading US winemaker, Joel Peterson of Ravenswood  Wines, calls "white space" wines that are increasingly popular both in America in its key export markets.

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?New Zealand on track for record crop

Published:  18 March, 2014

New Zealand is on track to have its biggest harvest ever this year, with estimations of a 15%  increase over last year's record crop.

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Spain must plant more international grape varieties, says Rabobank

Published:  18 March, 2014

Spain should plant more international varieties and bill Tempranillo as its signature grape, if it is to combat oversupply issues and compete globally, says a Rabobank report.

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The week ahead: Budget and tastings dominate the agenda

Published:  17 March, 2014

The wine and spirits trade faces one of its most eventful weeks of the year as it counts down to Wednesday's Budget with a series of major generic tastings.

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Public poll gives overwhelming support to cuts in duty in this week's Budget

Published:  17 March, 2014

Only 3% of the British public think alcoholic drinks are not too expensive in pubs and restaurants and unless more is done to cut duty levels they are likely to spend more time drinking at home.

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Hello Vino acquires social wine app Corkbin- the "Instagram" of wine

Published:  17 March, 2014

Hello Vino has announced a deal to acquire the US social wine app Corkbin, that allows wine enthusiasts to save and share photos of wines and has been called the "Instagram of wine".

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Countdown to Budget: pubs more reliant on wine and spirits sales says CGA study

Published:  17 March, 2014

Pubs are becoming increasingly reliant on wine and spirit sales, according to new figures released today by on-trade specialists, CGA Strategy.

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UK on verge of an "almighty price war" warns PLB's John Osborne

Published:  14 March, 2014

The UK retail industry is on the verge of an "almighty price war" amongst the major multiples as the rise of the hard discounters continues to dictate the dynamics of the UK grocery market, according to John Osborne the new managing director of wine distributor PLB.

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The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published:  14 March, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

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America unites for first California, Washington and Oregon Go West! UK tasting

Published:  14 March, 2014

The US states of California, Oregon and Washington will be holding a combined tasting for the first time next week at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in London on March 17. 

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Wine and spirits industry in one last push to halt duty escalator in next week's Budget

Published:  14 March, 2014

The wine and spirits trade is readying itself for one last push to convince the Chancellor to scrap the alcohol duty escalator in next week's Budget following intensive campaigning across the industry.

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UK sales of organic wine fall

Published:  13 March, 2014

Sales of organic produce have risen for the first time in four years in the UK, but the increase has not been felt across beers wines and spirits sales at supermarkets, where they tumbled 7.6%.

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Bargain Booze franchisees set for bonus payment

Published:  13 March, 2014

Bargain Booze franchisees are getting their share of a £180,000 bonus pot this month from owners Conviviality Retail, following the launch of a reward scheme.

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