Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Agents and importers could win NZ trip

Published: 29 July, 2011

Agents and importers are being tasked with creating a rugby-themed promotion around Kiwi wines for the chance to win a trip to New Zealand.

Sterling strengthens but UK retail sales fall

Published: 29 July, 2011

Sterling strengthened against the euro yesterday, hitting a high of €1.1446/£1, however British retail sales fell at their fastest pace in a year.

Gonzalez Byass takes on Wirra Wirra

Published: 28 July, 2011

Gonzalez Byass has taken on distribution of the premium Australian McLaren Vale winery, Wirra Wirra.

Maxxium UK announces cognac back in growth

Published: 28 July, 2011

Maxxium UK has announced the UK cognac market is back in growth by 10% in volume and value, due to its brand Courvoisier, which it says is propelling the spirit forward.

Industry encouraged over decline in teenage drinking

Published: 28 July, 2011

The drinks industry is encouraged by figures from the recent NHS study on teenage drinking, but also sends a warning about becoming complacent.

Virgin Wines revamps website

Published: 28 July, 2011

Online wine retailer, Virgin Wines has launched a new website, that aims to improve overall usability and feature more customers' comments, ideas and feedback.

Naked Wines offers unsigned Argentinian winemaker £50k order

Published: 28 July, 2011

Naked Wines has teamed up with Wines of Argentina to find the best Argentinian winery, not yet exporting to the UK, to offer them a guaranteed £50,000 order.

Drinks firms 'don't know enough' about Responsibility Deal

Published: 28 July, 2011

Drinks companies which haven't yet signed up to the Responsibility Deal say they "did not realise the significance" or "haven't been able to find out enough about it".

Martell launches on-pack promotion to win luxury home

Published: 28 July, 2011

Pernod Ricard owned Martell has launched an on-pack promotion offering consumers a chance to win a luxury home in Cognac.

Sterling slips as UK manufacturer optimism declines

Published: 28 July, 2011

Sterling slipped against the US dollar, as data showed that UK factory orders declined more than estimated and manufacturer optimism dropped to the lowest level in two years.

Whisky to turn to rail transport

Published: 28 July, 2011

Whisky distilleries will be forced to transport more freight by rail as the industry continues to expand.

Sterling hits high due to better than expected UK GPD

Published: 27 July, 2011

Sterling hit a six-week high yesterday against a broadly weaker US dollar after UK GDP figures came in higher than expected.

Absolut adds 'Mango' to flavoured vodka range

Published: 27 July, 2011

Pernod Ricard owned Absolut, has added Absolut Mango to its flavoured vodka portfolio.

Grant Burge returns to Krondorf Winery

Published: 26 July, 2011

Australian producer, Grant Burge is to refurbish his Krondorf Winery in a bid to cement the Burge brand as an icon of the Barossa landscape.

Alliance Wine to distribute Domaine Baumard

Published: 26 July, 2011

Loire producer, Domaine Baumard, has joined Alliance Wine in a bid to re-establish the distribution and market profile for its Savennières, Côteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaumes.

Sterling hits high, but investors wary of low UK GDP

Published: 26 July, 2011

Sterling came off a five-week high against the US dollar yesterday, but investors are wary of UK GDP data activity showing lower than expected figures.