Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Living with lockdown - Freixenet Copestick

Published: 21 April, 2020

Damian Clarke, MD at Freixenet Copestick, gives Lisa Riley a glimpse of the realities of life as a wholesaler adjusting to lockdown.

Georgian UK wine exports continue to surge

Published: 21 April, 2020

Georgian wine exports to the UK surged, albeit from a small platform, in the first quarter of this year boosted by a quartet of new importers.

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wines of Chile

Published: 21 April, 2020

In the third of a series focusing on responses of the generic bodies to the current crisis, we talk to Anita Jackson, UK director, Wines of Chile

CEEV puts together “wine package” to mitigate Covid-19 effects on EU industry

Published: 20 April, 2020

The Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) has put together a Covid-19 ‘wine package’ in order to mitigate the devastating effects of the pandemic – present and future – on the wine sector.

Furlough extension welcomed, but WSTA ups call for duty deferment

Published: 20 April, 2020

The Wine & Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) on Friday welcomed government’s extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furloughing) to the end of June 2020, but pressed again for an acceleration of relief measures for businesses hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.

Campari to buy majority stake in Champagne Lallier

Published: 20 April, 2020

Campari Group has announced it is in talks with privately owned French company Sarl Ficoma to buy a majority stake in Champagne Lallier.

Champagne: Weathering the storm

Published: 20 April, 2020

With little to celebrate, it’s unlikely consumers will be reaching for the Champagne any time soon, but the category has weathered storms before, says Chris Losh.

South Africa makes U-turn and bans wine exports

Published: 17 April, 2020

The South African government has banned exports of wine and spirits during lockdown.

English wine initiative reaches 13 million consumers

Published: 17 April, 2020

The #theBIGenglishwinegoodfriday initiative has been hailed an "unmitigated success" by English and Welsh wineries, reaching 13 million consumers.

Living with lockdown - Oxford Wine Company

Published: 17 April, 2020

Ted Sandbach, MD, at Oxford Wine Company, gives Lisa Riley a glimpse of the realities of life as a multifaceted indie merchant adjusting to lockdown.

Justerini & Brooks launches weekly spotlight series on ‘affordable’ wine

Published: 17 April, 2020

Justerini & Brooks has launched a weekly spotlight series focused on an "affordable, everyday drinking wine".

Generics respond to the pandemic: New Zealand Winegrowers

Published: 17 April, 2020

In the first of a series focusing on how the generic bodies are dealing with the current crisis, we talk to Chris Stroud, marketing manager Europe, New Zealand Winegrowers.

Delivering a new approach

Published: 17 April, 2020

As lockdown happened, Lisa Riley looked at how the on-trade adapted to create opportunities in an alien situation.

Five key ways to adjust wine marketing during and after Covid-19

Published: 16 April, 2020

In its latest series of market insights, Wine Intelligence has highlighted five focus areas for wine marketeers to consider as companies battle through the extreme challenges thrown up by the Covid-19 pandemic and the developing recession.

Whisky.Auction raises in excess of £100,000 for The Drinks Trust

Published: 16 April, 2020

The Whisky.Auction has raised a grand total of £104,184 via its charity auction in support of The Drinks Trust’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund.

Majestic refocuses range, upping ‘interesting parcels’ at affordable level

Published: 16 April, 2020

In a move to reclaim its mojo, Majestic has unveiled a return to its “historic strengths” of exciting and unusual wines in its spring range review.

Tim Atkin MW launches first Uruguay report

Published: 16 April, 2020

Tim Atkin MW, Harpers columnist and leading UK wine writer, has launched his inaugural Uruguay Special Report, following a visit to the country in January this year.

Q&A: Etienne Debanné, president, & Gabriel Rivero, winemaker, IXSIR

Published: 16 April, 2020

Swapping lunch in London for a live link to Lebanon, Andrew Catchpole catches up with a rising Middle Eastern star.

Waitrose claims UK supermarket first with ‘wine in a tube’

Published: 15 April, 2020

Waitrose has claimed a UK supermarket first with the launch of a fully recyclable ‘wine in a tube’ range.

Hudin.com offers one-year free membership for hospitality staff

Published: 15 April, 2020

Catalonia-based American wine writer Miquel Hudin is offering hospitality staff one-year free membership to his website, which is built around original, first-hand content about wines from Spain and elsewhere.