Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Taking Chile's Temperature

Published: 24 February, 2017

"Chile needs to simplify the message, but our diversity makes it difficult - Argentina has Malbec, meat and Mendoza to talk about, and that's it."

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 24 February, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Asda shows some recovery after troublesome 2016

Published: 23 February, 2017

Asda bosses said there is still a "lot of work to do" after the most recent sales figures showed some recovery for the ailing supermarket.

Buckingham Schenk creates buzz with new Spanish duo

Published: 23 February, 2017

Wine importer Buckingham Schenk is expanding its portfolio with two new Spanish brands.

By design: A message in a bottle

Published: 23 February, 2017

Start with a quote, is often the advice given when preparing for a presentation or seminar, and when it comes to design, there are lots to choose from. For example, Joe Sparano, graphic designer for American company Oxide Design Co, said: "Good design is obvious. Great design is transparent."

Q&A: Steven Spurrier, wine expert and ex-merchant

Published: 23 February, 2017

Six years into his collaboration with Furleigh Estate in Dorset, the veteran wine expert and Judgment of Paris author caught up with Harpers about whether now is really English wine's time to shine.

Sign up for SITT - the event for indie merchants and specialist importers

Published: 23 February, 2017

The countdown is on to register for the Specialist Importers Trade Tasting (SITT) - launching for the first time as part of Harpers' own events umbrella next week.

Vignobles André Lurton joins Daniel Lambert Wines and Theatre of Wine in the UK

Published: 22 February, 2017

Family winery Vignobles André Lurton has appointed Daniel Lambert Wines and Theatre of Wine as its UK distributors with immediate effect.

Oxford Wine Company to open new premises in its hometown

Published: 22 February, 2017

The Oxford Wine Company is poised to open a retail shop in the centre of Oxford as part of a new strategy to focus on its home area.

Fashion police at work at Berkmann's

Published: 22 February, 2017

No one wants the title of 'most unfashionable' wine region.

Christmas came early for Malbec at Concha y Toro

Published: 21 February, 2017

The nation's thirst for Argentinian wine has showed no signs of being quenched with Concha y Toro reporting sparkling Christmas sales for Bodega Trivento.

Off-trade sales bubble as more couples spend Valentine's at home

Published: 21 February, 2017

Cash savvy lovers opted for a night in this Valentine's Day in favour of splashing out on inflated restaurant prices, with both off-trade wine and beer value sales bubbling.

CAA chairman dismisses EU fears of 'English Champagne' influx post-Brexit

Published: 21 February, 2017

The chairman of the Champagne Agents' Association has hit back at claims that 'English Champagne' could flood into the continent following the UK's departure from the EU.

Enotria&Coe revisit Rioja with range additions

Published: 20 February, 2017

Premium suppliers Enotria&Coe have strengthened their Rioja portfolio by bringing on two new 'terroir-driven' producers.

Berkmann follows logistics expansion with two new hotel group contracts

Published: 20 February, 2017

Berkmann Wine Cellars has secured contracts with two new hotel groups after scaling up its logistics operations last year to deal with larger contracts.

'Progrigio' - the new budget Prosecco?

Published: 20 February, 2017

Prosecco has long been regarded the low-price equivalent of Champagne for those looking for bubbles on a budget.

Think Rum 2017: The year for rum?

Published: 20 February, 2017

Rum may not be generating quite the column inches when compared with the ongoing explosive growth of artisanal gins and it remains a minnow when compared with the volumes of vodka consumed in the UK.

Supermarket sweep: A week in review

Published: 17 February, 2017

On the international stage, the big news this week has been dominated by an increasingly maddening number of acronyms and portmanteaus - CETA, Brexit, TTIP - as the top echelon of global businesses and governments on both sides of the Atlantic make decisions which will impact the immediate future of the trade.

Australian Women in Wine Awards to fly outside Oz for the first time

Published: 17 February, 2017

The event which aims to inspire the next generation of female winemakers and celebrate the diversity of Australian wine is coming to the UK this year - a first for the event which, until now, has always been held on home turf.

Marginal returns: How to manage those post-Brexit increases

Published: 17 February, 2017

According to some leading UK independent wine merchants, the cost of wine to their businesses has increased by anything from 10% to 16% since June's European referendum vote, depending on supplier.