Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

All change for Waitrose buying team

Published: 24 June, 2010

Waitrose is shaking up its buying team following the appointment of Pierpaolo Petrassi MW to head of beers, wines, spirits and tobacco.

Isle of Arran celebrates 15 years with commemorative bottling

Published: 24 June, 2010

The Isle of Arran Distillery is marking its 15th anniversary by releasing a commemorative bottling of a 1999 vintage.

Pernod Ricard launches online bartender community

Published: 24 June, 2010

Pernod Ricard UK has launched an online networking and knowledge sharing community for on-trade professionals.

Currency update June 24: welcome boost for the pound

Published: 24 June, 2010

Currency update June 24: investor concern over the UK eases, resulting in a welcome boost for the pound.

Scotch Whisky Association celebrates rise in exports to France

Published: 23 June, 2010

Scotch Whisky's growing popularity in France has given rise to a celebration of the category.

Discover the Origin unveils summer media awareness campaign

Published: 23 June, 2010

Discover the Origin is today launching a new summer initiative to help raise consumer awareness of the European Union campaign to promote products of provenance around the continent.

Small shops hit hardest by VAT hike

Published: 23 June, 2010

The Coalition government's move to hike VAT to 20% will hit local shops hardest, the Association of Convenience Stores has warned.

Montana rebrands to become Brancott Estate

Published: 23 June, 2010

Montana Wine has changed its name to Brancott Estate and is to be official sponsor of the 2011 rugby union World Cup.

Currency update June 23: market reacts positively to yesterday's Budget

Published: 23 June, 2010

Currency update June 23: positive reaction to the Budget helps sterling gain against the euro and the US$.

No duty increases in Chancellor's emergency budget

Published: 22 June, 2010

The drinks industry is celebrating this afternoon after the new Coalition government's budget revealed there would be no immediate increase in alcohol duties.

Sign up for Top Merchants day: July 19, Bristol

Published: 22 June, 2010

The second Top Merchants networking and educational seminar is to take place on July 19 in Britol with Angela Mount, Susy Atkins and Wine Intelligence all lined up to take part.

Gastronomy Team of the Year finalists named

Published: 22 June, 2010

The Academy of Food & Wine has named the five teams through to the final of the 2010 Gastronomy Team of the Year.

Lanson reveals new brands strategy for UK

Published: 22 June, 2010

Champagne house, Lanson, has announced it is to rename its UK operations Lanson International to reflect its move to offer a wider portfolio of Champagne brands in the UK.

Currency update June 22: market fearful of today's Budget

Published: 22 June, 2010

Currency update June 22: markets nervous about today's Budget.

Currency update June 22: market fearful of today's Budget

Published: 22 June, 2010

Currency update June 22: markets nervous about today's Budget.

Synchronized Sud de France tasting gets underway

Published: 21 June, 2010

More than 90 wine writers and bloggers from 24 countries took part in a synchronized tasting of five Sud de France wines today at 11am.

John Leech joins United Wineries

Published: 21 June, 2010

United Wineries has appointed John Leech as commercial director to its UK team.

Laurent-Perrier to support Young Chef / Young Waiter 2010

Published: 21 June, 2010

Champagne Laurent-Perrier is to support this year's Young Chef / Young Waiter competition.

Currency update June 21: sterling starts the day strongly

Published: 21 June, 2010

Currency analysis update, June 21 from Smart Currency Exchange: sterling has started the day strongly, rising to a five week high against the US dollar of $1.4925/ £1 in early trading.