Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Double digit growth for Diageo brands as “Nation’s love of gin continues"

Published: 25 July, 2019

Sales of gin continue to boost spirits sales at Diageo, as Tanqueray and Gordon’s clock yet another year of double digit growth.

Spain's brave new world

Published: 23 July, 2019

The sense of discovery offered by Spain still has some way to run, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

That Spain has been on a roll over the past decade in terms of generating excitement is inarguable. Reworked, emerging and new regions have been pumping out the vinous equivalent of fireworks, delighting and engaging both critics and trade.

Dip in Aussie imports as Brexit stockpiling comes to an end

Published: 22 July, 2019

Sales of Australian wine in the UK have declined in the past year – partly due to brand-hesitancy surrounding Brexit.

Armit Wines sees sales leap 15% in three months

Published: 19 July, 2019

Armit Wines has reported a 15% rise in sales between April and June this year ahead of its full results which will be published in October.

Chapel Down Group appoints new sales director

Published: 17 July, 2019

Chapel Down Group has recruited a former retail channel controller at Treasury Wine Estates as its new sales director.

Buckingham Schenk expands sales team with Tim Calcroft hire

Published: 16 July, 2019

Buckingham Schenk has hired Tim Calcroft as on trade regional sales manager for the north.

Mini wine bottles and fruit flavoured blends help Broadland’s sales soar to £70m

Published: 16 July, 2019

Broadland Wineries has seen sales jump 11.6% to £70.6m in the 12 months to the end of March 2019 helped by fruit flavoured blends and mini wine bottles.

Think Gin debate: Innovation vs Integrity

Published: 15 July, 2019

Gin is at a crossroads and needs to tread carefully to retain its authentic credentials. Andrew Catchpole listens in on the debate at Harpers Think Gin event.

Pubs and bars signal optimism as restaurant sector continues to suffer

Published: 15 July, 2019

The latest CGA Fourth Business Confidence Survey, canvassing opinion from hospitality industry leaders, has revealed concern over the frequency of consumer visits to pubs, bars and restaurants during the second half of 2019.

Falling UK alcohol consumption driving premiumisation, Mintel finds

Published: 11 July, 2019

As many as 20% of UK adults now do not drink alcohol, according to the latest British Lifestyles report from Mintel. At the same time, 47% of those who do drink alcohol have cut back their consumption.

Red Squirrel and The Knotted Vine to merge

Published: 08 July, 2019

Specialist importers Red Squirrel and The Knotted Vine have announced they are merging to form a completely new importer and distributor supplying the UK’s restaurant and independent trade.

Market frustrated at pricing of Bordeaux 2018

Published: 28 June, 2019

Traders have found the release of Bordeaux’s 2018 vintage “perplexing” and “frustrating”, according to a report from Liv-Ex.

Joe Fattorini: Why sometimes, paying more feels like less

Published: 25 June, 2019

Joe Fattorini

Joe Fattorini: on mythological punt’rs

Published: 04 June, 2019

Taking a punt on heuristic pleasure, Joe Fattorini, head of London sales at Fields, Morris & Verdin, calls for wine shortcuts rather than rules

Alcohol sales fall worldwide, but with recovery to follow, predicts the IWSR

Published: 31 May, 2019

Global alcohol consumption fell back by 1.6% in 2018, according to new data from the IWSR, with some 27.6 billion nine-litre cases being consumed.

UK retains top five status as global market for still and sparkling imports

Published: 22 May, 2019

The UK remains the world’s second biggest importer of still and sparkling wine, analysts have confirmed - despite the era of high volume wine sales being “over for good”.

LWF: Inverarity continues the Scottish march south

Published: 21 May, 2019

Scottish-based Inverarity Morton is using its second ever outing at London Wine Fair (LWF) to advance its focus on supplying the English trade, with a round of new agencies in its portfolio.

Santa Rita says $25m investment in sustainability will pay long-term dividends

Published: 14 May, 2019

South American producer Santa Rita Estates (SRE) says it doesn’t regret ploughing $25 million USD into sustainability initiatives over the past five years, despite sustainable and organic cues having less sway with consumers.