Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bolney Wine Estate acquired by major international

Published: 17 January, 2022

Sussex-based Bolney Wine Estate has been sold to sparkling wine behemoth Henkell-Freixenet via Freixenet Copestick in the UK.

Barcelona Wine Week postponed to April 2022

Published: 14 January, 2022

The second edition of Barcelona’s leading trade fair has been postponed, due to concerns over travel restrictions and the Omicron variant.

Domaine Jones releases new range of old vine cuvées

Published: 14 January, 2022

Ex-pat winemaker Katie Jones, owner of Domaine Jones in the Languedoc-Rousillon, has launched the Vineyard Collection – a range of wines from very old vines.

Santa Rita Estates achieves sustainability recertification

Published: 14 January, 2022

Viña Santa Rita and its associated wineries in Chile have obtained their sixth accreditation from the Certified Sustainable Wine of Chile Code, under the rules of the oversight body.

Landmark Portuguese wine festival 'FESTA' to take place in June

Published: 13 January, 2022

London’s Tobacco Dock will host an inaugural consumer-led festival in June, dedicated to Portugal’s wine, gastronomy, music and arts. The event is set to coincide with the Festa de São João, a famous event within Porto’s calendar where thousands travel to the city and surrounding neighbourhoods to celebrate Porto's patron saint, John the Baptist.

Berry Bros. & Rudd releases Christmas trading results

Published: 12 January, 2022

Berry Bros. & Rudd (BBR) has unveiled its fourth quarter financial data for 2021, showing a notable surge in online sales and a burgeoning consumer demand for sparkling wine brands.

Alliance targets on-trade expansion with new appointments

Published: 12 January, 2022

Alliance Wine has recruited two new personnel into its on-trade division, with a renewed focus on growing the distributor’s customer base in the hospitality sector.

Prosecco opens doors for Italy

Published: 12 January, 2022

David Kermode delves into the world of Italian sparklers as the category covers new ground, from the march of rosé Prosecco to the increasingly popular high-quality fizzes of Franciacorta and Trento.

Jascots strengthens its fine wine arm with new appointment

Published: 11 January, 2022

Leading wine distributor Jascots has appointed Omar Raafat as its new head of fine wine.

WSET appoints Brampton as new CEO

Published: 11 January, 2022

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has appointed Michelle Brampton as its new CEO, replacing the incumbent Ian Harris, who will step down on 15 April.

Wine Paris to go ahead in February

Published: 10 January, 2022

The organisers of Wine Paris and Vinexpo Paris have confirmed that the landmark trade fairs will go ahead in 2022, despite the travel restrictions in force throughout much of Europe.

Gérard Basset Foundation to fund diversity and inclusivity projects worldwide

Published: 10 January, 2022

The Trustees of the Gérard Basset Foundation have announced their intention to award grants to 14 institutional and community partners worldwide, designed to enhance inclusivity across the global wine and hospitality industries.

Ehrmanns founder Peter Dauthieu passes away

Published: 07 January, 2022

The chairman and founder of import business Ehrmanns sadly died just before Christmas, aged 77.

Connected packaging revs up

Published: 07 January, 2022

At any one time, there are an average of seven trillion pieces of packaging in the world. The opportunities offered by technology to engage with consumers via the bottle are only just getting started, says Jo Gilbert.

Ellis Wines launches sea-aged Albariño

Published: 06 January, 2022

Ellis Wines is poised to market a very esoteric style of Albariño, matured in the freezing depths of the Atlantic Ocean for six months.

English sparkling wine brand achieves 'B Corporation' certification

Published: 06 January, 2022

A niche sparkling wine brand, The Uncommon, has become the first UK wine business to be certified as B Corp.

Sparkling wine delivered bumper Christmas sales

Published: 06 January, 2022

The sparkling wine category was the clear winner of the Christmas retail bonanza, with both merchants and analysts reporting bumper sales.

BWS retail sales decline in December 2021

Published: 05 January, 2022

Overall retail sales of beers, wines and spirits fell in the month of December, when benchmarked against Christmas 2020, though spending remained higher than it was pre-pandemic.

Accolade launches Wine On Tap (WOT)

Published: 05 January, 2022

Australian multinational Accolade has unveiled a new range of varietal wines packaged in large format sustainable boxes.

WSET returns to mainland China

Published: 05 January, 2022

After almost 12 months of suspending its educational activities in China, the WSET confirmed today (January 5) that it has received state approval to resume teaching.