Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

CIVL buyers' trip to Languedoc

Published: 19 October, 2012

Demonstrating to buyers the variety found in the Languedoc and aiming to extend the region's listings in the UK is the aim behind the CIVL's latest buyer's trip.

Australian Vintage launches wine-based sparkler Vinni

Published: 19 October, 2012

A "new category" called Vinni (rrp £3.49) has been launched by Australian Vintage for consumers who enjoy wine but with a less alcohol and more fizz.

Oddbins blog: hunt for UK's top novice wine taster

Published: 19 October, 2012

A sustainability officer at Camden Council has been declared the UK's best amateur wine taster as winner of Oddbins' The Palate 2012 competition.

Appleton Estate International Bartender Challenge finalists announced

Published: 19 October, 2012

Nine global bartenders are to gather in Jamaica next week to compete in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum International Bartender Challenge 2012.

UK duty increases driving drinks firms out of business

Published: 19 October, 2012

"Unsustainably" high levels of alcohol duty are a major factor in the recent collapse of a number of drinks importers and distributors, according to senior trade figures.

Golden Rum Barrel Award winners announced

Published: 19 October, 2012

The winners of the third annual Golden Rum Barrel Awards have been announced as part of the UK RumFest celebrations.

Gerard Basset: how to be a top sommelier

Published: 18 October, 2012

A top-class sommelier shouldn't just be knowledgeable about wine - if they're a bad manager, mediocre salesman or clumsy waiter - then they're not up to the job.

Jazz FM launches Tasting Thursday with Taylor's Port

Published: 18 October, 2012

The first Port-focused Tasting Thursday with Taylor's will begin this evening on Jazz FM, as part of the Dinner Jazz programme.

Alcohol should be 'unpleasantly expensive', says government minister

Published: 18 October, 2012

The UK government remains determined to introduce a minimum price on alcoholic drinks, policy minister Oliver Letwin has said on the eve of a consultation on the policy.

New Argentinian wine importer Cupari launches

Published: 18 October, 2012

Bucking the trend of closing wine agencies, Cupari, a new importer focused on boutique wines from family estates in Argentina, has launched.

Inflation on spirits means 'wildly fluctutating' prices

Published: 18 October, 2012

Spirits prices are "fluctuating wildly" while wine and beer drinkers are enjoying low or steady inflation - that's according to analysis by the Wilson Drinks Report.

Grant's whisky strikes sponsorship agreement with ITV4

Published: 18 October, 2012

William Grant-owned Grant's whisky is set to launch a £2 million year-long sponsorship agreement with ITV4.

Online grocery chiefs call for suppliers to up their game

Published: 18 October, 2012

Suppliers must be "on the front foot and proactive" in developing online strategies and adopting new technology in order to survive, according to the four major online UK grocers.

Douro harvest blighted by drought, says Paul Symington

Published: 17 October, 2012

Drought was one of the main problems affecting the Douro harvest this year with the region seeing a 54% drop in rainfall to the end of September.

Chile's Aconcagua Costa awarded DO status

Published: 17 October, 2012

The coastal section of Chile's Valle de Aconcagua has become a new Denomination of Origin, on the back of Viña Errázuriz's long-standing quest to establish the region as a new viticultural zone.

Italy wins top spot in TripAdvisor Wine Destinations Awards

Published: 17 October, 2012

Online travel website TripAdvisor has announced the European winners of its 2012 Travellers' Choice Wine Destinations Awards.

Bodegas Muriel joins forces with Off-Piste Wines

Published: 17 October, 2012

Off-Piste Wines has been appointed the new UK off-trade agent for Spanish wine producer Bodegas Muriel.

Cape Winemakers Guild Auction achieves record takings

Published: 16 October, 2012

The 28th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has set record-breaking figures with the highest turnover and a complete sellout of all wines.

Lanson bucks Champagne trend with sales growth

Published: 16 October, 2012

Lanson Champagne has revealed 6% growth in value for the UK market against a 2.4% drop across the Champagne category as a whole.

Drinks trade charity launches Benevolent Bursaries

Published: 16 October, 2012

The drinks industry charity The Benevolent has launched new initiatives to deliver career-long support to members of the trade, alongside a new website and branding.