Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Georgia tasting to crown fast growth in UK

Published: 24 March, 2022

Wines of Georgia has confirmed dates for its 2022 press tastings against a backdrop of booming sales in the UK.

All change at Bodegas Cosme Palacio

Published: 23 March, 2022

Leading Rioja winery Cosme Palacio has announced a series of important changes at the firm, including new personnel, the launch of a white wine, and a label shakeup.

Benjamin Franchetti: Tuscany can prosper without indigenous varieties

Published: 23 March, 2022

The owner of Tenuta di Trinoro in southern Tuscany has spoken out in favour of international varieties, claiming that, in certain case, indigenous Italian grapes should play a subordinate role to imports.

Alternative formats: Fad or fixture?

Published: 23 March, 2022

James Lawrence asks if merchants are ready to carry the can with anything but the 75cl bottle.

‘Cool kids’ increasingly shaping global fine wine investment market

Published: 23 March, 2022

An “identity-conscious” demographic of wealthy Millennial buyers are becoming vital to the prosperity of the secondary wine market, according to a study released by Cult Wine Investment.

Harnessing Pays d’Oc IGP

Published: 22 March, 2022

Inviting a panel to taste and talk, Andrew Catchpole prompted a far-reaching exploration of the potential for southern France’s most versatile designation, in partnership with Pays d’Oc IGP.

Drinks industry welcomes new personnel in spring reshuffle

Published: 21 March, 2022

Several headline spirit businesses have announced new staff appointments in March, including the Cotswolds Distillery and Mangrove UK.

Round Table: Selling Central & Eastern Europe’s Appeal

Published: 18 March, 2022

The less discovered wines of central and eastern Europe offer a fantastic opportunity for UK buyers, but primarily at a more premium level.

Vinitaly Academy launches Buyer Program in the UK

Published: 15 March, 2022

Vinitaly International Academy, the educational arm of the Verona show which aims to showcase the breath and diversity of the Italian peninsula, is launching a brand new focus in the UK.

Profile: Neville Abraham, Liberty Wines

Published: 15 March, 2022

On the eve of a reshuffle at Liberty Wines, Andrew Catchpole catches up with outgoing chair and serial restaurateur Neville Abraham for his views on the trade

Wines from Spain Awards Return for 2022

Published: 14 March, 2022

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the first Wines from Spain Awards competition since 2019 will return this Spring to highlight the best Spanish wines available to the UK trade and press.

Growing thirst for Albariño to be backed by new campaign

Published: 11 March, 2022

The latest figures from DO Rias Baixas, Albariño’s home in ‘green’ north-western Iberia, show a 6.8% increase in volume and 14.8% jump in value sales in the UK in 2021 over the previous year, as the variety continues pull in the punters.

Producers, suppliers and experts invited to donate lots in auction for Ukraine

Published: 10 March, 2022

The UK wine world is pulling together to raise funds for Ukraine.

Online drinks sales growth cools, but remains far above pre-pandemic levels

Published: 10 March, 2022

Online sales of alcoholic drinks fell -18.5% YoY in the UK in February 2022, though nudged up 9.4% against those in the typically slow first month of January.

Russian buyers blocked from Barcelona

Published: 09 March, 2022

Twelve Russian wine buyers have been banned from attending the forthcoming Spanish wine fair, Barcelona Wine Week (BWW).

Argentina’s future should embrace ‘ancestral winemaking’

Published: 07 March, 2022

It’s been a few years since globetrotting oenologist Alberto Antonini proclaimed in Mendoza that the future should be ‘a little less Malbec and a little more Argentina’, set against that flagship variety’s exponential rise.

The taxing debate around duty

Published: 04 March, 2022

With the wine trade potentially facing a damaging new duty regime, Andrew Catchpole convened a panel at Wine Paris to ask: “Will the proposed new excise duties in the UK make wine unaffordable?”

Berry Bros. & Rudd launches its first podcast series

Published: 04 March, 2022

Fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd has launched its first podcast, Drinking Well, a six-part series designed to help listeners enjoy and shape their wine collection.

New Zealand trade deal could mean cheaper wine for UK shoppers

Published: 01 March, 2022

The UK has signed a far-reaching trade deal with New Zealand to remove trade barriers on many UK goods and services and provide new opportunities for British businesses.