Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Balfour partners with Bibendum and Matthew Clark

Published: 14 December, 2020

Bibendum, Matthew Clark, and Walker & Wodehouse has signed a deal as the exclusive distributors for English wine producer Balfour Wines.

Half measures for on-trade groups post lockdown

Published: 14 December, 2020

Around half of Britain’s managed pubs, restaurants and bars were open and trading last week as lockdown ended and the new tier levels came into force in England, but sales were significantly down even in those sites able to open.

eProvenance launches IBM blockchain-powered platform to optimise wine supply chain

Published: 14 December, 2020

eProvenance, a company specialising in monitoring and analysing wine shipment conditions, has launched an IMB blockchain-powered platform designed to provide a “smarter and highly secured” way to track wines as they move through distribution from vineyard to consumer.

‘Nouvelle generation’ to drive Beaujolais export potential

Published: 10 December, 2020

With good recent vintages to its name and wines that sit squarely with the modern trend towards fresher, lighter styles, Beaujolais certainly appears to be well placed to capture the attention of a new generation of drinkers. Add in ‘ownership’ of Gamay, a distinctive and easy-to-like variety, and the region also offers a sense of discovery (or re-discovery for older drinkers) in a world awash with international grapes.

WSTA membership climbs as it releases Brexit checklist

Published: 10 December, 2020

A record number of wine and spirit businesses have joined the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this year following a recruitment drive bolstered by concerns over Covid and Brexit.

New Horizons Q&A: Ben McKellar, Gingerman Restaurants Group

Published: 09 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties playing out an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses as to their predictions for trade deep into the new year.

WSET and Worshipful Company of Distillers launch annual bursary fund

Published: 09 December, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and the Worshipful Company of Distillers have teamed up to help support the leaders of tomorrow get ahead in their careers.

Fine wine reaches a record high on Liv-ex

Published: 09 December, 2020

Fine wine has remained buoyant this year, with increased reliance on technology and automated trading helping the market to reach as yet unprecedented levels.

New Horizons Q&A: Archie McDiarmid, Luvians

Published: 09 December, 2020

Future of Wine Forum calls for industry leadership

Published: 09 December, 2020

Among many insightful climate-related sessions at the Future of Wine Forum 2020, the plenary discussion on what wine industry leadership should look like stood out. Andrew Catchpole reports

Balfour and Majestic launch English wine follow-up

Published: 08 December, 2020

Majestic Wine and Balfour Wines at Hush Heath Estate are following up the debut of their English wine partnership, with a sophomore release of limited edition labels.

Dom Perignon winemaker moves to Kent

Published: 08 December, 2020

Nick Lane, who was part of the winemaking team at Dom Perignon, has moved to the UK to join contract-only winery, Defined Wine.

Tim Atkin MW: Adapting to survive

Published: 08 December, 2020

The numbers are terrifying. With the imminent closure of 124 Debenhams stores and the loss of 12,000 jobs, the high street has arguably suffered its highest-profile casualty since Woolworths back in 2009. Stir in the 13,000 Arcadia employees who are likely to swell the unemployment statistics before long – and the probable disappearance of Sir Philip Green’s Topshop, Burton and Dorothy Perkins brands – and we are contemplating a toxic brew.

United Wine Growers launches first brand

Published: 07 December, 2020

United Wine Growers has taken the plunge with the launch of its first brand.

The winners: Harpers Design Awards 2020

Published: 07 December, 2020

Each year the entries for Harpers Design Awards deliver much to delight, with the bar raised time and again, and so it proved once more with our 2020 judging. This year delivered many exemplary category winners, along with a host of worthy gold, silver and bronze medals.

‘Huge confusion’ over what Brexit means for bulk

Published: 03 December, 2020

There is mounting concern over the lack of clarity around the introduction of VI-1 forms for bulk shippers, despite the end of the transition period being just weeks away.

New Horizons Q&A: John Colley, Majestic Wine

Published: 03 December, 2020

The year 2020 will surely go down in history as an annus horribilis. With an end game to the coronavirus in sight however – and a vaccine looming on the 2021 horizon – Harpers is choosing to take the optimistic view that things can only get better from here.

Jascots slides into administration

Published: 02 December, 2020

On-trade supplier Jascots Wine Merchants has gone into administration, Harpers has learned.

House of Commons in retail partnership with Digby Fine English

Published: 02 December, 2020

Sussex-based sparkling wine producer Digby Fine English has been appointed as the official supplier of English sparkling wine to the House of Commons gift shops.