Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Factory produced goods show fastest rise in nine months

Published: 13 February, 2012

The change in price of goods sold by factories in the UK rose at their fastest rate in nine months, according to UK data released on Friday.

Spirited Wines' plans for Nicolas stores

Published: 10 February, 2012

Only a quarter of the 43 Nicolas shops in London acquired by Spirited Wines last week will trade under the Nicolas name, while the remainder will become Spirited stores.

The Big Wine Festival postponed until 2013

Published: 10 February, 2012

The Big Wine Festival, which was scheduled to take place in Reading in June 2012, has been pushed back until summer 2013, says the organiser.

Argentina grows UK exports

Published: 10 February, 2012

The popularity of Argentinian wines continues to forge ahead, with UK exports for 2011 up 8.4% by value, according to the latest figures from Wines of Argentina.

Top UK sommelier to be crowned at LIWF

Published: 10 February, 2012

This year's UK Sommelier of the Year will be crowned at the London International Wine Fair in May.

Roy Ackerman appointed Wine Guild chairman

Published: 10 February, 2012

Dr Roy Ackerman CBE, has been appointed chairman of The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom.

World's top winemaking families committed to 'long term'

Published: 10 February, 2012

The world's top winemaking families aren't in the trade to make "quick profits", but are committed to investing in the long term.

Chablis Wine Competition announces winners

Published: 10 February, 2012

Twenty-six wines were given awards at the 26th annual Chablis Wine Competition.

Sterling weakens against euro as Greek leaders reach agreement

Published: 10 February, 2012

This week saw sterling weaken off against the euro as finalisation of the Greek 130 billion euro bailout enters the final straight.

Waverley TBS to showcase new wine portfolio

Published: 09 February, 2012

On-trade specialist Waverley TBS will showcase its new 2012 portfolio at an all-day annual tasting event, hosted at The East Wintergarden in London's Canary Warf on March 12.

Battersea-based Artisan & Vine forced to close

Published: 09 February, 2012

Battersea wine bar Artisan & Vine has closed after struggling to make money from offering local and natural wines in a recession.

Slurp moves "aggressively" into beer and spirits

Published: 09 February, 2012

Slurp.co.uk has appointed Richard Ellis to the position of beer and spirits manager, as it aims to expand more "aggressively" into non-wine alcoholic drinks.

Black Sheep Brewery launches seasonal beer

Published: 09 February, 2012

The Black Sheep Brewery has launched the second of its limited edition seasonal beers, All Creatures.

Consumers urged to count units

Published: 09 February, 2012

A national campaign to raise consumer understanding about the number of units in certain drinks is rolling out in stores across the UK.

New website aims to "revolutionise the way Brits buy wine"

Published: 09 February, 2012

A members-only website which gives consumers exclusive access to hard-to-find wines at attractive prices is launching in the UK.

Anticipation of quantitative easing weakens sterling

Published: 09 February, 2012

Sterling weakened across the board, due to anticipation of a further round of quantitative easing.

Berry Bros. & Rudd posts record internet sales

Published: 08 February, 2012

Berry Bros. & Rudd, has reported its best ever year for internet sales, at 72% up on 2010.

ProWein launches app

Published: 08 February, 2012

A new app has been launched in preparation for ProWein 2012 trade fair, taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany, commencing on March 4 and finishing on March 6.

Barwell & Jones to champion premium Chilean wines from Morandé

Published: 08 February, 2012

UK wine importers, Barwell & Jones, has taken on the premium Chilean wine producer, Morandé, to help it in its bid to widen distribution across the specialist independent on and off-trades.

MPs call for minimum price on alcohol

Published: 08 February, 2012

MPs have called for the alcohol strategy, due out in the next few weeks, to enforce a minimum price per unit and cut "a significant number of units" by changing how alcohol is produced and sold.