Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Online uplift to grow

Published: 23 December, 2021

Ecommerce is to remain a key driver of value growth in global alcoholic drinks markets, with wine to the fore. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Matt Tipping, CEO, Jeroboams

Published: 22 December, 2021

Matt Tipping reflects on keeping the wheels turning through 2021 and how valuable new custom should bring cheer into the new year, despite the looming additional tax burden on wine.

Jerry Lockspeiser: On Jeremy Clarkson, margins and the ‘middleman’ dog whistle

Published: 22 December, 2021

In case anyone missed it, Jeremy Clarkson has recently launched his own beer brand, Hawkstone. The lager is made with barley grown on his Cotswolds farm. Exposed to the workings of the supply chain, Clarkson was reportedly aghast at the difference between the £205 per tonne he received for his barley and the £580 paid by the brewers to the middleman.

Yuletide cheer

Published: 22 December, 2021

With supply and delivery issues forcing indies to be nimble and imaginative for the Christmas rush, Andrew Catchpole asked a trio of merchants how they prepared for the festive sales spike in such an unpredictable year.

Wadsack and Parkinson to host virtual Koshu tasting

Published: 22 December, 2021

Harpers Wine & Spirits will be joined by two of the UK’s leading presenters to host an online tasting dedicated to the wonders of the Koshu grape, Japan's key indigenous varietal.

Harpers memorabilia goes up for auction

Published: 21 December, 2021

A historic piece of publishing history is up for auction this month, printed in 1887 by Harper’s Weekly gazette – the magazine that morphed into today's Harpers Wine & Spirit and almost certainly oldest drinks title in the UK.

WoodWinters adds historic Veneto estate to portfolio

Published: 21 December, 2021

Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, a leading winery in the Veneto region, has become the newest member of the WoodWinters portfolio.

Freixenet delivers record Cava sales

Published: 21 December, 2021

Spanish giant Freixenet has posted record Cava sales in 2021, retailing more than 100 million bottles worldwide for the first time ever in the firm's 150-year history.

Bordeaux Wine Week to fold in Vinexpo Bordeaux

Published: 20 December, 2021

The long-running trade fair Vinexpo Bordeaux has been officially retired by its organisers, replaced by the inaugural 'Bordeaux Wine Week' in 2022.

Morgenrot chairman and founder Rudi Plath passes away

Published: 20 December, 2021

Rudi Plath, the founder of Morgenrot and well-known character in the wine and beer trade, passed away on 17 December.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Caroline Thompson-Hill, MD for Europe, Accolade Wines

Published: 20 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Caroline Thompson-Hill takes stock of the lessons of 2021 and calls out the challenge posed to trade by the proposed alcohol duty reforms.

A year in review: The 2021 challenge

Published: 20 December, 2021

James Lawrence picks out the highs and lows of another history-making year.

Liberty adds to calls on government to reconsider wine duty reforms

Published: 17 December, 2021

Liberty Wines has joined a growing roster of UK drinks companies in voicing its concerns around the upcoming government alcohol duty review, which is under consultation until 30 January 2022.

Saint Emilion chateau moves into Riesling

Published: 17 December, 2021

Château Petit Val, a property based in Saint Emilion, has released two new leftfield cuvées – a pure varietal Riesling and Malbec wine.

"Landmark" UK/Australia trade deal finalised

Published: 17 December, 2021

The UK and Australia have reached an historic agreement on trade, in a move that has been welcomed by the WSTA.

Louis Roederer BAME Educational Bursary recipients announced

Published: 15 December, 2021

BAME Wine Professionals, the diversity-promoting website created by Mags Janjo and

Bouncing Back Q&A: Jacob Leadley, CEO & winemaker, Black Chalk Wine

Published: 15 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Jacob Leadley takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

Wine vision

Published: 15 December, 2021

James Lawrence reports on the main findings from the ninth annual Sopexa Wine Trade Monitor survey.

Hatch Mansfield welcomes new Portuguese agency

Published: 15 December, 2021

UK importer Hatch Mansfield has expanded its portfolio with the addition of Portuguese wine brand Esporão.

Profile: Andrew Porton, Lanchester Wines

Published: 15 December, 2021

Stepping up as MD of Lanchester’s wine division, Andrew Porton explains why he’s excited about the future and what The Wine Fusion brings to the party. Andrew Catchpole reports