Majestic reports strong Christmas sales

Majestic Wine saw bumper trading over the Christmas period with group sales increasing by 3.2% compared to last year.

Pebblebed Vineyards founder Geoff Bowen passes away

Geoff Bowen, founder of Devon vineyard Pebblebed, has passed away.

Halewood reports 100% leap in net profits

Halewood Wines and Spirits has reported a 100% leap in net profits for the year ending 1 July, 2017.

Chinese investor Peter Kwok buys seventh Bordeaux vineyard

Chinese investor Peter Kwok has acquired his seventh vineyard in Bordeaux with the purchase of Château Bellefont-Belcier - a Grand Cru Classé estate in Saint-Emilion.

Nick Hyde takes over as WSET chairman

Nick Hyde has taken over from James Simpson MW as chairman of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Board of Trustees.

Average on-trade red bottle price rises £8 in a year thanks to premium upswing

Wine prices have seen significant upward movement in the on-trade, new research suggests, with red in particular receiving a generous boost from a rise in premium listings.

UK Agents: are you being served?

I wish to be cremated… one tenth of my ashes shall be given to my agent, as written in my contract,” quipped Groucho Marx of the breed that acts for the stars. Finding humorous quotes at the expense of agents is easy work, whether levelled at the acting or commercial world, with these designated business representatives – popularly the “10 percenters” – coming in for flack for apparently sitting back while counting their cut for little in return. 

Gin sales boom with 45% growth at Christmas

Gin was the runaway success of the last minute Christmas booze run, with shoppers buying a huge 45% more in the week before the big day than 2016.

Liberty Wines bolsters NZ with Marlborough addition

Liberty Wines is bolstering its already strong New Zealand collection in order to keep in step with the continued popularity of Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

Meet the Buyers: Darren Willis, owner, Grape & Grind

Like many professionals working in the trade, a career in wine was never part of the original plan – I studied mechanical engineering at university, graduating in 1997. Yet after completing a WSET course in London, I applied for a position at Harvey Nichols in 2001. I soon fell in love with both the people and subject, a passion that endures today.

H2Vin enters strategic partnership with Bruno Murciano

Wine wholesaler and importer H2Vin has entered into a strategic partnership with Spanish wine specialist and de Vinos owner Bruno Murciano.

London's first bulk wine show opens for business

London’s first bulk wine show is now open for registration, offering buyers, brokers, retailers and producers the chance to find out more about this booming section of the UK wine industry.

Accolade appoints David White UK head of marketing

Accolade Wines has appointed David White to the role of UK marketing director, with effect from January 4th 2018.

Catering exec and wine enthusiast dies in tragic plane crash

The foodservice industry is mourning the loss of one of its giants this morning, as the world media reports the tragic loss of Richard Cousins, CEO of catering company Compass Group.

Oz government opens Wine Export Grants applications

Brexit and bad harvests could dampen supply of fizz

2018 could be the year that Brits’ love of sparkling catches up with them as experts predict a fizz shortage could be about to descend on the UK.

Ian Harris receives MBE in New Year’s Honours List

Ian Harris, chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), has been awarded MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Farr Vintners reports strong trading

Fine wine trader Farr Vintners has reported its turnover for 2017 is up 25.5% hitting £96M.

Distell sells Bisquit Cognac brand to Campari

Distell has agreed to sell its Bisquit Dubouche et Ci Cognac business to Campari Group for €52.5m.

Looking ahead: Jason Haynes, co-founder, Flint Wines

With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.