Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Soave puts spring in step with summer campaign

Published: 07 March, 2019

Soave is ramping up its UK focus, targeting independents and restaurants this summer with a #SummerofSoave campaign.

Q&A: Xenia Irwin MW, Waitrose Cellar

Published: 07 March, 2019

Xenia Irwin MW, wine buyer at Waitrose Cellar is in revelatory mood as she shares her passion for her job – and some childhood memories.

Sales of English and Welsh wine double in 2018

Published: 06 March, 2019

The English and Welsh wine industry produced a record-breaking amount of wine last year thanks to a frost-free spring and a long, mostly dry summer.

Matthew Clark comes out fighting fit after major restructure

Published: 06 March, 2019

National wholesaler Matthew Clark says it is firmly back on track, with a far-reaching restructure of the business completed and having “delivered one of the best Christmas in terms of service and performance”, according to managing director David Phillips (pictured above).

Amathus strengthens Priorat and Montsant

Published: 06 March, 2019

Amathus Drinks has expanded its Spanish portfolio with the addition of two new Catalonian producers: Celler l’Encastell from Priorat and Celler Masroig from Montsant.

Spain celebrates new Caballeros del Vino

Published: 05 March, 2019

The Wine Society’s Pierre Mansour and Paul Shinnie of Alliance Wines were the latest UK trade to be honour at a lively Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino annual dinner in Mayfair last night, where they were officially invested into the red-robed order by Spanish ambassador His Excellency Carlos Bastarreche.

Smartphones dominate as online retail sales hits new high

Published: 05 March, 2019

In the fast evolving online retail market, sales via smartphone have overtaken both desktop and tablet, and at a time when online grocery retail has reached a new high of £8 billion in the UK.

Guy Woodward: Champagne’s snobbery is in danger of bubbling over

Published: 04 March, 2019

GUY WOODWARD

Larkan aims to plug a gap for ‘super premium’ canned wine

Published: 04 March, 2019

Larkin Wines, a boutique Napa winery which specialises in premium Cabernet and red blends retailing around £70, is set to launch a range of ‘super premium’ canned wines in the UK.

Champagne Devaux appoints new president as Gillet steps down

Published: 04 March, 2019

Champagne Devaux has appointed Pascal Dubois as its new president following Laurent Gillet stepping down after more than 30 years.

Tim Atkin MW: Celebrating Creole

Published: 01 March, 2019

Compiling a list of the 10 best red and white grapes is an entertaining parlour game for consenting wine lovers. Should Chardonnay trump Riesling and Chenin Blanc? And what about Cabernet Sauvignon? Better or worse than Pinot Noir, Grenache or Nebbiolo? I’ve played this dozens of times around the world and the results differ more than you’d think. Yet some varieties never make the podium. There are more than 5,000 to choose from, but no one ever finds room for Aligoté, Dornfelder or Seyval Blanc.

Familia Torres & Jackson Family wineries join together to fight climate change

Published: 01 March, 2019

Spain's Familia Torres and California's Jackson Family wineries have, for over a decade now been taking very large steps to change business approaches in order to combat Climate Change. While they've been working on these projects separately to date, yesterday in Barcelona, Miguel Torres Sr. and Katie Jackson jointly announced the creation of the organisation, "International Wineries for Climate Action".

Quinta da Aveleda turns to rosé in £6 million Algarve investment

Published: 01 March, 2019

Portuguese wine producer Quinta da Aveleda has announced a £6 million investment in the Algarve, which is expected to primarily focus on the production of rosé wines.

Hatch Mansfield achieves BRC standard

Published: 28 February, 2019

Hatch Mansfield has been awarded an AA certificate for the BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers.

UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge winner announced

Published: 28 February, 2019

Jitka Auermüllerová from 67 Pall Mall has emerged top of the leader board in the UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2019.

WSTA and LWF reveal results of UK importers Brexit survey

Published: 28 February, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed the results of a survey carried out at its recent roundtable, held in partnership with the London Wine Fair (LWF), looking ahead to the potential effects of various Brexit outcomes on the trade.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

UK still ‘litmus test’ as global benchmark for wine brands

Published: 27 February, 2019

The UK market continues to be the shop window for the world of wine, with the on-trade driving premium sales.

James Hocking sets up new Californian wine agency

Published: 27 February, 2019

James Hocking, previously wine director at The Vineyard Cellars, has set up a new Californian-focused wine agency that will specialise in “boutique, family-owned wineries” and target “high end independent wine merchants, wine-focused restaurants and private clients”.

Rueda DO turns focus on Rueda rather than Verdejo in renewed UK export campaign

Published: 26 February, 2019

Boosted by a 2018 bumper crop, the Rueda DO wine board is this year renewing its export campaign switching its focus from the region’s predominant Verdejo grape variety to Rueda.