Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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

Kopke and Casa Burmester latest to declare 2017 a vintage year

Published: 20 June, 2019

Kopke and Casa Burmester are the latest Port houses to declare 2017 as a vintage of outstanding quality.

Domaines Auriol launches rare organic wines

Published: 20 June, 2019

Organic champion Domaines Auriol has released two organic wines from rare grape varieties.

Mentzendorff get on their bikes to raise cash for The Benevolent

Published: 19 June, 2019

Members of team Mentzendorff will cycle the four-day ‘Giro di Toscana’ to raise money for The Benevolent on 24 June.

The Alchemist eyes global expansion

Published: 18 June, 2019

The Alchemist has said it expects to hit sales of £50m at the end of its financial year and plans to invest in further expansion in the UK and abroad.

The Barossa Cellar set to open in July

Published: 18 June, 2019

The Barossa Grape and Wine Association will move into The Barossa Cellar building in South Australia at the end of July.

Q&A: Kim Wilson and Joy Edmondson, North South Wines

Published: 18 June, 2019

Innovative, agile and on-trend, North South Wines is shaking up the traditional importer model. Andrew Catchpole meets its founders

Trade bids fond farewell to Gerard Basset

Published: 17 June, 2019

Winchester Cathedral provided a fitting setting on Friday for the memorial service of Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MBA, MSc (OIV), as members of the wine and hospitality worlds turned out in force to commemorate the remarkable life of a much loved and admired man.

Can premium Prosecco put the sparkle back into sales?

Published: 17 June, 2019

Sandro Bottega, owner and managing director of Bottega Spa, has refuted suggestions the UK has reached ‘peak Prosecco’ and insisted a “new era of Prosecco premiumisation” is on the way.

Vallegarcía obtains own PDO

Published: 14 June, 2019

Vallegarcía has obtained its own Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) has announced.

New Zealand declares ‘small but stunning’ vintage

Published: 14 June, 2019

New Zealand Winegrowers has declared the 2019 vintage as ‘small but stunning’.

Drinkaware bolsters senior team with new duo

Published: 13 June, 2019

Alcohol education charity Drinkaware has bolstered its senior team with two new hires.

Lebanon: Return to roots

Published: 13 June, 2019

Perched on the eastern end of the Mediterranean, yet with vineyards at altitudes of 1,000m and above, Lebanon offers a promising mix of conditions for the production of great wines. Of course, the first wave of Lebanese wines to make their mark internationally were largely blends based on Bordeaux varieties, with some notable successes, gaining a niche but loyal following. However, in tune with the country’s location and viticultural history, a second wave of indigenous and Mediterranean varieties are now emerging as winemakers realise the potential for varieties that carry more of an indigenous signature.