Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New Zealand Winegrowers announces brand overhaul

Published: 11 January, 2023

New Zealand Winegrowers has unveiled a new logo and global brand identity, rolled out across the organisation's key international markets.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Steve Moody, Fells

Published: 09 January, 2023

In the last of our end of year Q&A series, Steve Moody, CEO at Fells, reflects on the highs and lows of 2022, plus the hopes and plans for the business in the year ahead.

New Golden Vines scholarship aims for wider BAME representation

Published: 09 January, 2023

The Gérard Basset Foundation, in collaboration with Wine Owners, Lay & Wheeler and IG Wines, has unveiled a new Golden Vines Scholarship for members of the BAME/BIPOC community who wish to break into the wine trade.

50 Best Indies 2023: Tune in for the results

Published: 06 January, 2023

Once again the results of our popular 50 Best Indies list are ready to be announced, with tranches of 10 being revealed each day next week (9-13 January) at 11am.

Jump into the world of French wine at VIN

Published: 06 January, 2023

The UK trade is being invited to uncork some of France’s best kept secrets alongside enduring favourites at VIN, next month’s trade tasting event, which will bring together 50 producers and importers.

Friday read: What will 2023 mean for the wine trade?

Published: 06 January, 2023

Stuart Bond, director at UK wine distributor, Beyond Wines, dives into the top trends for 2023

Paper bottles break supermarket barrier with Sainsbury’s listing

Published: 05 January, 2023

When in Rome (WiR), one of the UK’s leading alt-format wine brands is set to launch its range of recycled paper wine bottles into Sainsbury’s during the first quarter 2023.

VinoVirtual launches for UK trade

Published: 04 January, 2023

French wine & spirits trading platform VinoVirtual is bringing its innovative marketplace specifically to UK buyers in 2023 for the first time, with a number of inaugural sessions taking place across January and February.

China to fast evolve beyond ‘safe’ Bordeaux blends

Published: 03 January, 2023

China’s burgeoning wine industry is set for its next phase of evolution, with dozens of ‘new’ varieties in the offing, according to Christelle Chene, international affairs director at Xige Estate.

Thirty years of The Oxford Wine Company

Published: 20 December, 2022

After 30 years in business, Ted Sandbach, owner and chairman of The Oxford Wine Company, says moving to – and staying in – Oxford is still the best decision he’s ever made. Jo Gilbert reports

Friday read: Savouring chocolate and wine

Published: 16 December, 2022

It’s always fascinating being taken out of one’s own world of intense focus – wine – and into another somewhat parallel, but also contrasting field of expertise. So when Cocoa Runners approached Team Harpers suggesting a wine and chocolate pairing session – also just ahead of Christmas – we jumped at the chance.

Soapbox: The need to reuse and refill

Published: 15 December, 2022

Muriel Chatel, CEO of Sustainable Wine Solutions, is conducting a pilot with restaurants to prove that most bottles can be saved from waste and reused or upcycled. Here, she makes the case for large-scale refill and reuse

Losh and Goode blend Chenin from SA and Loire

Published: 11 December, 2022

Few would deny that Chenin Blanc is one of the world’s greats when it comes to grape varieties, but most would recognise that it sits far behind the likes of Chardonnay and Sauvignon in terms of recognition. Chenin is, of course, the de facto flagship grape of South Africa, also playing a strong role in the Loire. Here, in appellations such as Vouvray, Saumur, Angou, Savennieres, and others besides, the best – as with their Cape cousins – are world class, capable of developing great complexity while ageing for a very long time.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Miles Beale, WSTA

Published: 09 December, 2022

Following another turbulent year for the drinks trade, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), reflects on the highs and lows of 2022, plus the hopes and plans for the business in the year ahead.

Friday read: The revival of Bardolino’s crus

Published: 09 December, 2022

Few Italian wine regions have had as much of a roller coaster ride as Bardolino, nestled up against the beautiful eastern shores of Lake Garda, where wine has been made since Roman times.

Red flags for fine wine, says Liv-ex

Published: 08 December, 2022

Fine Wine provided stability amid an increasingly uncertain economic outlook in 2022, a new report from Liv-ex has revealed. However, as renewed investment and speculation pushed prices, analysts have been left wondering whether the ‘Covid era boom’ has run its course.

New limits on Etna to control invasive investment

Published: 02 December, 2022

New moves to limit Etna DOC (PDO) wine production volumes have been designed to maintain and control average grape prices, as a way of preserving the Sicilian mountain’s wine economy, its environment and viticultural heritage, the Etna DOC wine board has said.

Cramele Recas rolls out PET trial

Published: 25 November, 2022

Romanian winery Cramele Recas has officially launched its Recycled PET Multibarrier Bottles Project, as it tests the waters of alt formats with customers – and with the aim of eventually bringing a full-scale launch to market.

Talking heads: Dynamic France

Published: 24 November, 2022

Jo Gilbert caught up with some of the UK’s leading French wine importers to ask the burning question: what is France doing well currently – and why?

Rioja's white exports grow, but overall market dips

Published: 23 November, 2022

The growth of Rioja’s white wines is paying dividends for the region in the export market, finally making good on a promise that the DO is able to diversify its portfolio abroad. However, things are looking a little less rosy globally in 2022, with uncertainty in various key markets leading exports to take a tumble.