Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

KWV repositions itself towards independents and the on-trade

Published: 09 November, 2017

South African wine and spirits giant, KWV, has embarked on a new transition towards selling premium wines in Britain.

Jascots wine producer receives MW qualification

Published: 09 November, 2017

Jascots Wine Merchants’ exclusive Spanish wine producer Fernando Mora MW was one of 18 new Masters of Wine (MW) to receive the prestigious qualification this week.

London’s first Prosecco bar poised for Tower Bridge opening

Published: 08 November, 2017

London’s first dedicated Prosecco bar is set to open its doors in February 2018.

Castilla y León hails 2017 harvest as most difficult

Published: 08 November, 2017

The 2017 vintage in Castilla y León has been hailed as one of the most unusual in the region's history, as local vignerons deal with the aftermath of one of the most difficult growing seasons on record.

Italian sparkler sets out its stall for more UK market share

Published: 08 November, 2017

Lombardy sparkler Franciacorta is embarking on a major push into the UK market following its 50th anniversary. Jo Gilbert reports

Friarwood secures distribution deal for Jackson’s Penner-Ash

Published: 07 November, 2017

Friarwood has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for Jackson Family Wines’ (JFW) Oregon winery, Penner Ash Wine Cellars.

New role at GCF puts focus on UK

Published: 07 November, 2017

Major French exporter Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) has appointed a new UK based wine director to oversee the group’s activities outside of France.

Big squeeze tipped for 2018 as lower volumes and tighter margins predicted

Published: 06 November, 2017

What is shaping up to be the smallest vintage in 50 years is predicted to cause a “dramatic decline in wine availability going into 2018”, with the lower-price tiers of the European industry expected to be the worst affected.

Guy Woodward: At the mercy of the elements

Published: 06 November, 2017

Within days of the Napa Valley going up in flames, as firefighters were still wrestling for control of Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder, the assurances were being issued. Everything was OK – the vast majority of the grapes had already been harvested, the remaining fruit on the vine was the thick-skinned, resilient Cabernet and any smoke taint was likely to be minimal.

Climate change: The greatest threat to humanity

Published: 06 November, 2017

Extreme weather has wreaked havoc on the winemaking world this year. Jo Gilbert traces these events back to the effects of climate change and the global impact of an increasingly CO2-laden planet

Viña Ventisquero unveils wines made with ‘heritage grapes’

Published: 06 November, 2017

Chilean producer Viña Ventisquero has added three new wines to its portfolio, two of which are made with ‘heritage grapes’.

CIVB goes social with new winter ad campaign

Published: 06 November, 2017

Vins de Bordeaux is releasing a new ad campaign focused on digital formats and social media with the hope of engagining "younger" audiences.

LWC Drinks acquires HT White & Co

Published: 02 November, 2017

Southern-based wholesaler LWC Drinks has confirmed it is in the process of acquiring HT White & Co of Eastbourne.

Crown Cellars adds to the Grapeful Dead

Published: 02 November, 2017

Crown Cellars has announced a number of new additions to its on-trade only Quirky Wines range including new varietals releases from the Grapeful Dead and Dead Man’s Dice.

Rioja Recognises announces this year’s winners

Published: 02 November, 2017

The cream of the wine world turned up at last night’s Rioja Recognises event in London, where this year’s winners were announced.

LWF reveals spotlight on UK drinks

Published: 01 November, 2017

The London Wine Fair is making moves to champion home-grown and produced drinks with a new Drinks Britannia section.

Frizzenti founder embarks on ‘direct from winery to tap’ portal venture

Published: 01 November, 2017

The brainchild behind online sparkling wine delivery business Frizzenti has embarked on a new venture - an online portal dedicated to delivering quality wines in kegs direct from the winery to the tap.

Echo Falls launches vodka to replicate success of Fruit Fusions in spirits aisle

Published: 01 November, 2017

Accolade Wines has expanded its Echo Falls brand with a flavoured vodka, marking the wine brand’s first foray into spirits.

Ballesteros latest MV to help select Finos Palmas Collection

Published: 31 October, 2017

Spanish wine expert Pedro Ballesteros MW has helped to select the 2017 edition of the Finos Palmas Collection.

Vinisud and Vinovision join forces

Published: 31 October, 2017

Vinisud, the exhibition dedicated to Mediterranean wine, and international cool climate wine exhibition Vinovision Paris, have joined forces in a bid to become “the focus of the wine events calendar”.