Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Fruit spirits ripe for UK revival?

Published: 23 July, 2008

The winner of the first distilled fruit spirits trophy at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) is confident that the category is ripe for a revival in the UK.

Time Out announces award nominees

Published: 23 July, 2008

Time Out magazine has revealed the 50 bars and restaurants shortlisted for its 2005 Eating and Drinking Awards.

New mail order merchant launched

Published: 23 July, 2008

Three former Corney & Barrow (C&B) employees, including ex-sales director Andrew Gordon, have launched a mail order wine company.

Guy Anderson Wines kicks ass'

Published: 23 July, 2008

Guy Anderson Wines, the Somerset-based distributor responsible for Fat Bastard Chardonnay, has released a new, distinctively named premium Spanish wine - El Burro Kickass' Garnacha.

New CEO for Pernod Ricard UK

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jean-Manuel Spriet was appointed CEO of Pernod Ricard UK earlier this month.

Villa Maria buys Thornbury

Published: 23 July, 2008

Villa Maria, New Zealand's largest privately-owned wine company, has bought respected mid-sized producer Thornbury to expand its Sauvignon Blanc production in the Marlborough region.

Floridita triumphs as The London Club and Bar Awards 2005.

Published: 23 July, 2008

On Tuesday night (5th July) Floridita, London was awarded Best New Bar, at the London Club and Bar Awards held at the Riverbank Plaza Hotel, Albert Embankment, London.
The awards, now in their eleventh year, celebrated the cream of London's nightlife for both bars and clubs.

Sideways prompts Cheval Blanc boost

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chic Knightsbridge restaurant Zuma has added two bottles of the rare 1961 vintage Cheval Blanc to its wine list, following demand from customers who have seen it featured in the film Sideways, in which two friends take a road trip through California wine country.

Morgan gears up for bike ride

Published: 23 July, 2008

John Morgan, MD of Morgan Classic Wines, is preparing for a 200-mile charity bike ride in France.

Barossa en primeur'

Published: 23 July, 2008

DMT Wine Imports - the joint venture between wholesaler Bordeaux Index and independent wine merchant The Cellar Door - will be giving the UK trade its first Barossa En Primeur' event later this year.

Gin and tonic combine

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fever-Tree, the company behind the self-styled world's first premium tonic water', has joined forces with ex-Plymouth Gin MD Charles Rolls.

Wine Relief tops 2 million

Published: 23 July, 2008

Wine Relief, the fundraising arm of the wine trade that supports Comic Relief, has raised 2 million since its inception in 1999.

Roux leaves Graham Beck after 15 years

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jacques Roux, marketing and sales director of Graham Beck Wines in South Africa, is to leave the company after 15 years.

Three become PIG

Published: 23 July, 2008

Three specialist importers have combined forces for two trade tastings in September.

New York pulls the cork

Published: 23 July, 2008

Residents of New York state will soon be able to buy wine direct from their favourite producers across America.

IWSC strengthens team

Published: 23 July, 2008

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has strengthened its marketing department.

Sambuca listing

Published: 23 July, 2008

Opal Bianca (38% abv), the younger sister of Opal Nera black sambuca, is to make its debut in the off-trade this summer.

Newly created position for HBJ in Asia Pacific & New Senior Brands Manager for HBJ London.

Published: 23 July, 2008

Miranda Hayman, previously Senior Brands Manager at Hayman Barwell Jones, London, has relocated to Hong Kong to open up the first office outside the UK for sister company Hayman Distillers incorporating HBJ wines. Miranda takes up the newly created role of Director of Sales and Marketing Asia Pacific and will be responsible for expanding business in Asia for Hayman Distillers brands - including Hayman 1820, the first ever Gin Liqueur as well as developing global markets for HBJ's brand Firebird Legend from Moldova.

Foster's team takes shape

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the acquisition of Southcorp by Foster's now complete, the former managing director of Beringer Blass Wine Estates (BBWE), John Philips, has been given the task of leading the UK and European teams of the new expanded company, FGL Wine Estates.