Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Frazer Thompson steps down from Chapel Down

Published: 02 August, 2021

Chapel Down has announced its succession plan after it was revealed that current CEO Frazer Thompson will be stepping down from the role after 20 years.

Selling independence

Published: 02 August, 2021

With on-trade reopening still disrupted, Andrew Catchpole assesses the impact and opportunities for indies’ wholesale operations.

Cockburn’s introduces ‘experimental’ Port trio

Published: 29 July, 2021

Cockburn’s has produced a trio of experimental ports under the name Tails of the Unexpected.

The Drinks Trust expands board with four new trustees

Published: 29 July, 2021

The Drinks Trust has expanded its board of trustees with four new members, welcoming Nicky Forrest, Katy Keating, Jillian MacLean MBE and Laura Willoughby MBE.

Gusbourne signs deal as official Goodwood supplier

Published: 28 July, 2021

Gusbourne has signed a deal as an official partner of Goodwood Racecourse, as well being appointed the exclusive English sparkling wine supplier across the Goodwood Estate which includes Goodwood House, the Goodwood Hotel, The Kennels, Hound Lodge and the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

Govt considers 25% tariff on US wine imports

Published: 28 July, 2021

Trade Secretary Liz Truss is considering introducing a 25% tariff on US wine imports as part of an ongoing trade conflict caused by Donald Trump imposing a 25% tariff on US steel imports in 2018.

Overall BWS supermarket sales continue to slide

Published: 27 July, 2021

Beer, wine and spirits (BWS) sales through supermarkets continued to slide in the last four weeks to 17 July, down 6% compared with the same period last year, according to Total Till data from NielsenIQ released today.

‘Freedom day’ provides lift for bars

Published: 27 July, 2021

The long-awaited easing of Covid restrictions on 19 July saw like-for-like drinks sales at a GB level dropping by just 5% on the same day in July 2019, according to CGA’s Drinks Recovery Tracker.

Ten Locks doubles team with three new recruits

Published: 26 July, 2021

Ten Locks, the premium spirits firm owned by Kingsland Drinks Group, has doubled its team with three new recruits nationwide.

Champagne sets an available yield of 10,000kg of grapes per ha

Published: 26 July, 2021

The Comité Champagne’s executive board has decreed an available yield of 10,000kg of grapes per hectare (ha) for this year’s harvest.

Prosecco elects new president

Published: 26 July, 2021

Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has elected a new president, Elvira Maria Bortolomiol.

WSTA claims victory as VI-1 forms scrapped

Published: 26 July, 2021

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has won a significant post-Brexit victory after government has agreed to scrap the time consuming and costly VI-1 forms on imported wine.

Long Read: Floods in the Ahr valley – A tale of destruction and solidarity

Published: 22 July, 2021

Large areas of Western Germany were flooded last week and are dealing with an unprecedented level of destruction and loss. The overall sense of bafflement and being overwhelmed has prompted an international movement of solidarity, namely within the wine community, eager to help fellow winemakers many of whom have lost all their cellared stock, equipment, homes and wineries. Whether the foundations of the latter are still sound is yet to be determined; as is, in most cases, whether insurances will cover the damage caused by this unexpected natural disaster.

Trivento takes the top spot for Argentine wine

Published: 22 July, 2021

Concha y Toro's Trivento is celebrating becoming the leading Argentine wine brand in the world, with sales of over US$256.2m a year according to a new report from the IWSR.

Court reserves judgement on Vinpro interdict application

Published: 22 July, 2021

The Western Cape High Court has reserved judgement on Vinpro’s urgent interim interdict application that would afford the Premier of the Western Cape the power to adopt deviations to the national ban to enable off- and on-consumption sale of alcohol in the province.

Famille Helfrich recruits to grow business in London and the South

Published: 21 July, 2021

Famille Helfrich, the on-trade and independent merchant arm of French winemaker Les Grands Chais de France, has recruited Julien Dillmann as national account manager to spearhead its quest to grow and support its customer base in London and the South.

Oz wine exports to UK highest in a decade

Published: 21 July, 2021

Australian wine exports to the UK reached their highest level in a decade during the 2020–21 financial year, according to the latest Wine Australia Export Report released today.

Wine: A circular sensation?

Published: 21 July, 2021

Having hosted the ‘Can wine be part of the circular economy?’ debate at the London Wine Fair, Jamie Goode reports back on the sustainability issues in wine packaging.