Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Everything you know about wine is wrong

Published: 13 November, 2013

The death of ungrafted vine rootstocks has been much exaggerated, says Heather Dougherty of the Association of Wine Educators

Jancis Robinson passes the torch as WSET honorary president

Published: 12 November, 2013

Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW is to follow Jancis Robinson OBE, MW, who served for the last three years, as the new honorary president of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's (WSET) effective from January 20, 2014.

Sotheby's to sell 100 cases of Opus One for $165,000

Published: 12 November, 2013

Sotheby's wine retail store is selling 100 six bottle cases of iconic Californian wine, Opus One, as a one off collection starting today for only the next four days, with vintages spanning from 1997 to 2005, for $165,000.

Burgundy 2012 en primeur kicks off with some allocations already "exhausted"

Published: 11 November, 2013

The severly reduced Burgundy harvest for 2012 is resulting in producers holding en primeur tastings this month with "Allocation Exhausted" labels over some bottles.

Michelin star chef Michel Roux is face of Everyday Bordeaux consumer campaign

Published: 11 November, 2013

Michelin star chef Michel Roux of Le Gavroche fame has teamed up with the 2013 Everyday Bordeaux collection of wines, to promote those wines considered by a panel of judges from the Association of Wine Educators to offer some of the best value Bordeaux currently available in the UK.

Wine drinkers stick to what they know, says Asda

Published: 11 November, 2013

Almost half of UK wine consumers buy the same wine every time they shop, according to a survey carried out by Asda.

Foodie phenomenon spreads to London wine drinkers

Published: 11 November, 2013

Organisers of a new wine event for Londoners are hoping they can follow in the footsteps of the foodie revolution and make wine more accessible.

Hangingditch in Manchester to hold sixth annual wine fair

Published: 11 November, 2013

Independent wine merchant, Hangingditch, is set to host its sixth annual wine fair in Manchester this Friday, November 19, from 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Manchester Cathedral, with live music, food and over 175 wines and spirits to taste.

London Cru opens for tours and supper clubs

Published: 08 November, 2013

Central London's first urban winery is officially open for tours starting this Saturday, 9 November, where it will host tours for the public along with other opportunities throughout the month, like becoming a winemaker for a day or dining in the barrel room with a series of supper clubs the winery will be hosting.

Seifried Estate's Old Coach Road range gets rebranded

Published: 08 November, 2013

Fells distributed, Nelson-based winery Seifried Estate, has revamped its Old Coach Road range in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Normacorc wins innovation award

Published: 08 November, 2013

Alternative wine closure producer Nomacorc, has won the Innovation Challenge's New Technology Award for its Select Bio Series, which is the world's first zero carbon footprint wine closure.

Swiss drinkers lead the way in lower-alcohol wines

Published: 07 November, 2013

Lower-alcohol wines have been identified as a key way of kick starting the Swiss wine market in a boost to a category that has yet to fully take off in the UK.

Treasury Wine Estates faces lawsuit

Published: 07 November, 2013

The hangover continues for Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) following its AUD $160 million write down earlier in the year; TWE now faces a lawsuit by Melbourne City Investments and second potential class action lawsuit funded by IMF Ltd and Maurice Blackburn lawyers who, to date, have only publicised their potential intent to undertake a shareholder class-action case against TWE but who have not, at this stage, commenced any legal proceedings.

Condé Nast Johansens 2014 UK Wine List Awards Announced

Published: 06 November, 2013

The 32^nd annual Condé Nast Johansens Champagne Taittinger UK Wine List Awards 2014 were announced on 5^th November 2013 at a gala dinner at the The May Fair Hotel in London.

Corney & Barrow unveils its first rebranding in 233 year history

Published: 06 November, 2013

Corney & Barrow has revealed the results of the first official rebranding in its 233 year history.

Disgraced Bordeaux UK chief banned as director for nine years

Published: 06 November, 2013

Ian Vanderhook of Bordeaux UK has been banned as a director for nine years after his company collapsed with debts of more than £10m.

Accolades Wines acquires several brands from the Mud House Wine Group

Published: 06 November, 2013

The Mud House Wine Group has agreed to sell New Zealand brands Mud House, Dusky Sounds, Haymaker, Skyleaf and Waipara Hills, including the Waipara Hills cellar door and café, to Accolade Wines, subject to approval by New Zealand's Overseas Investment Office.

Global wine production is shifting away from Europe says Cobevco's Justin Knock MW

Published: 06 November, 2013

The 2013 global wine harvest is further confirmation that Europe is losing ground on its dominant position as the largest wine growing continent in the world.

Wine brands with no back story will struggle warns Ste Michelle's Ted Baseler ahead of Wine Vision

Published: 05 November, 2013

New wine launches that offer no back story other than what varietal or blend they are are not going to connect with modern wine consumers, warns Ted Baseler, president and chief executive of US winery, Ste Michelle Wine Estates, speaking ahead of this month's Wine Vision conference in London.

Windsor 2014, a new wine event for the UK trade

Published: 05 November, 2013

A new trade event, Windsor 2014, is launching in the UK trade that will be a 24 hour business forum where UK's leading wine buyers and suppliers meet with a tailor made agenda of pre-scheduled, face to face meetings, set to take place at Beaumont Estate in Windsor on March 10-11, 2014.