Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Armit unveils rare vintage release from La Rioja Alta

Published: 23 January, 2017

Armit Wines has announced the release of the 2007 Gran Reserva 904 from La Rioja Alta, which will be available from 25 January.

Gifting and corporate sales leads to better than expected Christmas at Virgin Wines

Published: 20 January, 2017

Gains in its gifting business and expanding it loyalty membership by over a third helped Virgin Wines to pull in bumper sales this Christmas.

A look back at May's Brexit speech: What does it mean for the trade?

Published: 20 January, 2017

As we hurtle towards the hard Brexit scenario outlined by Theresa May in her speech earlier this week, there are two main concerns affecting our industry.

WSTA calls on industry to help prevent wine being "singled out" at next budget

Published: 20 January, 2017

The body which represents the wine and spirits industry is calling on the industry to make sure that wine is looked on favourably at the next budget.

WSTA calls UKVA's application for English fizz PGI a "side-show"

Published: 19 January, 2017

The UK Vineyards Association (UKVA) has revealed plans to apply for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for English sparkling wine, using the term "British Fizz".

Barwell & Jones prepares to re-launch Marqués de Riscal in the UK

Published: 19 January, 2017

Historic Spanish winery Marqués de Riscal will be the focus of a new marketing and sales push to promote its presence in the UK.

New Zealand - pushing the premium

Published: 18 January, 2017

Premiumisation is the trend that is sweeping the world globally, with not just beers, wines and spirits, but also FMCGs like milk and beauty products taking the international market by storm according to Nielsen.

Regionality and terroir: The battle for New Zealand Pinot Noir

Published: 18 January, 2017

Away from its Burgundian origins, Pinot Noir has found a home from home in the cool climates of New Zealand's Marlborough, Nelson and Wairarapa regions.

Cognac sales reach value and volume highs in 2016

Published: 17 January, 2017

Sales of Cognac reached their highest level in terms of volume and value in 2016, the body which oversees the Cognac industry has reported.

The teetotal trend: Beyond Dry January

Published: 16 January, 2017

As we've mentioned elsewhere in Harpers this month, we could be on the verge of the driest January on record. And no, we're not talking about the weather.

Guy Woodward: Why are we so down on English fizz?

Published: 16 January, 2017

There was a degree of sniping when environment secretary Andrea Leadsom claimed recently that England was taking its place "among the world's most renowned wine producers".

New chairman announced for The Benevolent

Published: 16 January, 2017

The Benevolent, the charity for the UK drinks industry, has a new chairman.

Multi-million dollar R&D project aims to bring "international recognition" to Australian Shiraz

Published: 16 January, 2017

5.3 million AUD is being invested to better understand - and promote - Australian terroir to international markets.

Liberty Wines to distribute Sogrape in the UK

Published: 16 January, 2017

Sogrape and Liberty Wines have announced they will be partnering with the hopes of expanding the Portuguese company's presence in the UK, specifically the premium on-trade.

White revolution at the forefront of Heart of Spain 2017

Published: 13 January, 2017

Winemakers from Spain will continue to further the white revolution and promote varieties from new and unexpected corners of the country when the Heart of Spain 2017 tasting comes to London.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 13 January, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Sparkling wine sales jump 24% at Jascots

Published: 12 January, 2017

Specialist wine supplier to the on-trade, Jascots, has reported record sales in 2016 with soparklign wine sales jumping by almost a quarter.

Borsa Vini Italiani returns to London in 2017

Published: 12 January, 2017

Owners and winemakers from 70 Italian wineries will descend on Italian tasting Borsa Vini Italiani when it returns to London next week.

Buckingham Schenk adds Kreglinger Wine Estates to its portfolio

Published: 12 January, 2017

Wine importer Buckingham Schenk is expanding its Antipodean portfolio by adding Kreglinger Wine Estates and its brands Pipers Brook and Norfolk Rise.

Burgundy en primeur: Spotlight on whites

Published: 11 January, 2017

While there has been a consensus that Burgundy's 2015 reds have much to offer buyers in this year's en primeur market, there is less agreement about the quality of the region's whites.