Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Looking ahead: Miles Beale, WSTA

Published: 20 December, 2018

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

WSTA reiterates ‘duty rise’ and ‘no deal' Brexit concerns to government

Published: 20 December, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week reiterated the “bleak picture” a ‘no deal Brexit’, combined with the pending duty rise, would paint for UK wine importers.

Looking ahead: Laura Jewell MW, Wine Australia

Published: 19 December, 2018

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

WSTA returns to Tokyo to promote homegrown wine and gin

Published: 28 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week travelled to Tokyo to showcase the quality of English wine and British gin in a bid to boost exports.

Brexit: WSTA launches #NoToNoDeal campaign

Published: 20 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned MPs ‘don’t bottle it’, while urging wine and spirit businesses to get behind a campaign that makes clear that a no deal Brexit would be unacceptable to the UK drinks industry.

Creating stronger bonds

Published: 19 November, 2018

At first glance, the day-to-day logistics of running a bonded warehouse is scarcely of any interest to the wider trade, let alone consumers. Regarded as a prosaic stepping stone in the overall supply chain, firms such as Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) have been managing these “holding bays” for decades, a regulated space where imported goods that are intended for export can be stored without actually entering the UK market. Duty and VAT payments are deferred until the wine is sold or removed from the bonded warehouse. It’s that simple.

Record sales at the Hospices de Beaune

Published: 19 November, 2018

The 158th Hospices de Beaune wine auction enjoyed a record sale of €14,18 million (£12.6 million), according to auction organiser Christie’s.

‘Ready to drink’ 2017 Burgundies could ease sky-high prices ahead of Brexit

Published: 15 November, 2018

The wines now emerging from Burgundy’s 2017 vintage could help to ease the pockets of restaurants and fine wine merchants, it has been suggested.

Trade remains fearful of no deal Brexit

Published: 15 November, 2018

Following Wednesday’s marathon Cabinet debate on Theresa May’s draft Brexit deal, the Prime Minister was reported to drink a glass of wine before stepping out from 10 Downing Street to address the media.

Japan prepares to take on the world at second Wines of Japan tasting

Published: 07 November, 2018

As Japan continues to make waves in whisky, pushing outwards with its own distinctive style and winning awards left, right and centre, wine is poised to follow suit. Harpers joined Sarah Abbott MW at a recent Wines of Japan tasting – the follow-up to the inaugural UK event in February this year. We discovered a country ready to build on the newly signed free trade deal with Europe and take on the wine world.

SWA calls on Chancellor to support Scotch

Published: 11 October, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the government not to increase excise duty in the Autumn Budget.

Bourgogne export volumes grow by 4%

Published: 01 October, 2018

Bourgogne wines saw exports grow by 4% in volume for the first seven months of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, according to the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB).

Brexit causes wine prices to rise

Published: 27 September, 2018

The average price of a bottle of wine has risen by almost 30p since the UK vote to leave the European Union (EU), according to new research.

Indies brave the storm

Published: 26 September, 2018

With the likes of an undetermined Brexit and poor 2017 harvest to deal with, how are independents coping? Lisa Riley reports

Brexit blamed for fall in prosecco sales

Published: 21 September, 2018

Exports to the UK of Prosecco have fallen for the first time in 10 years, Coldiretti has revealed.

No deal Brexit “not acceptable” for drinks trade

Published: 19 September, 2018

Brexit is the “most significant” short-term challenge facing the wine sector, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) told delegates at its conference yesterday (18 September).

Hard Brexit could be “disastrous” for overseas producers

Published: 19 September, 2018

The Fairtrade Foundation has warned that a ‘no-deal’ Brexit could be disastrous for producers.

Brexit survey: Who's afraid of the big bad B word?

Published: 12 September, 2018

In the lead-up to next month’s scheduled EU summit, Jo Gilbert sets out to discover what the trade really thinks of Brexit, how it has impacted business so far and what is yet to come

SWA calls on government to continue duty freeze

Published: 10 September, 2018

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the UK government to support the industry at home through a continued duty freeze in the Autumn Budget.

Brexit delivering negative impact on business for three quarters of independent trade

Published: 30 August, 2018

A Harpers survey on the current effects and possible outcomes of Brexit has revealed that 73% of on and off-trade businesses believe the vote has already had a negative impact on their business.