Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sherry soldiers on with Wines from Spain masterclass

Published: 30 January, 2017

Sherry, regionality and gastronomy will take centre stage when Wines from Spain's annual trade tasting comes to London's Tobacco Dock on March 9.

Profile: Henry Boyes, wine buyer, Mitchells & Butlers

Published: 30 January, 2017

Buying wine for Mitchells & Butlers is no small task.

Beyond spirits: Premium mixers and adult soft drinks

Published: 30 January, 2017

Premium mixers caught up with premium spirits in 2016. Where to next?

Spotlight on Riesling at Wines of Germany's annual fellowship dinner

Published: 30 January, 2017

Four new Riesling champions were inducted into the Riesling Fellowship hall of fame at Wines of Germany's recent celebrating of the country's sparkling wine.

Buyers and producers discuss forecasted higher demand for Languedoc at Vinisud

Published: 30 January, 2017

A survey of 1,100 distributors in seven countries has identified the Langeudoc as the wine region most likely to see increased consumer demand in the next 24 months.

Tesco buys Londis and Budgens owner Booker for £3.7bn

Published: 27 January, 2017

Tesco is set to merge with Britain's biggest food wholesaler Booker in a £3.7bn deal to create "the UK's leading food business".

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

Published: 27 January, 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.

Educating your premier crew

Published: 27 January, 2017

London may be the wine capital of the world, with arguably the best selection of wines available to buy in every bar, restaurant, shop and supermarket, up and down the country, yet the majority of staff that work in these places know little or nothing about what they're supposed to be selling.

Diageo celebrates growth in 2017 interim results

Published: 26 January, 2017

Spirits giant Diageo has reported a better than expected rise in sales helped by improvements in its US business and its Scotch portfolio.

ADT 2017: Spain and Italy getting more bang for their 1% buck

Published: 26 January, 2017

A quick glance around at London's very well attended Australia Day Tasting on Tuesday (January 24) showed that very few producers were without Italian and Spanish varieties such as Tempranillo, Fiano and Vermentino - one of Austria's fastest growing grapes.

PGI application to protect 'British' versus imported grapes

Published: 24 January, 2017

The chair of the UKVA has hit back at claims that the purpose of a new PGI application was to coin a popular name for English sparkling wine, but rather to prevent grapes grown outside the UK from being called 'British'.

Writer and educator Steven Spurrier named WSET's fifth honorary president

Published: 24 January, 2017

Steven Spurirer, the industry veteran known for staging wine's very own Judgment of Paris in 1976, has been announced as the WSET's new honourary president.

New Zealand Pinot Noir comes of age

Published: 24 January, 2017

At home in the cooler regions of Wairarapa, Nelson, Marlborough, Waipara and Central Otago, Pinot Noir is New Zealand's most important red variety, representing 70% of all red plantings and 15.4% of New Zealand's total vineyard.

Inside London's super distillery

Published: 24 January, 2017

In case anyone was in doubt, the opening of new London hotspot, Portobello Road's The Distillery, is proof that the gin renaissance is alive and well in London.

Gifting and corporate sales leads to better than expected Christmas at Virgin Wines

Published: 20 January, 2017

Gains in its gifting business and expanding it loyalty membership by over a third helped Virgin Wines to pull in bumper sales this Christmas.

A look back at May's Brexit speech: What does it mean for the trade?

Published: 20 January, 2017

As we hurtle towards the hard Brexit scenario outlined by Theresa May in her speech earlier this week, there are two main concerns affecting our industry.

WSTA calls on industry to help prevent wine being "singled out" at next budget

Published: 20 January, 2017

The body which represents the wine and spirits industry is calling on the industry to make sure that wine is looked on favourably at the next budget.

Jerry Lockspeiser on 2017: Something or nothing?

Published: 20 January, 2017

January. The beginning of a better year. That's what we hope. However good or bad 2016 was personally, for our families, our businesses, and people in other places, we are hardwired to aim for better.

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

Published: 20 January, 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.

WSTA calls UKVA's application for English fizz PGI a "side-show"

Published: 19 January, 2017

The UK Vineyards Association (UKVA) has revealed plans to apply for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for English sparkling wine, using the term "British Fizz".