Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

London's first natural cork recycling partnership

Published: 28 March, 2011

Top London hotel The Savoy and independent wine merchant Laithwaites have teamed up in a cork recycling scheme.

Poor retail sales figures sees sterling extend losses

Published: 28 March, 2011

Sterling held around its lowest exchange rates of 2011 against the euro on Friday.

Carpineto launches QR coding to label

Published: 28 March, 2011

The Italian brand Carpineto, distributed by Hallgarten Druitt, claims to be the first Montepulciano winery to use Quick Response codes on its back labels.

Oddbins applies for administration

Published: 25 March, 2011

Oddbins has applied to enter administration, in an effort to prevent claimants derailing the CVA.

Tesco takes on first English wine for Finest range

Published: 25 March, 2011

Denbies Wine Estate, in Surrey has released its English White 2011, which is the first English wine to be produced exclusively for the Tesco Finest range.

Suppliers being 'asked to fund Oddbins rescue'

Published: 25 March, 2011

Oddbins suppliers are effectively being asked to finance the rescue of the business, some trade observers say - and helping to write off a £17.5 million bill for owners Simon Baile and Henry Young.

Oddbins interview: life after the CVA

Published: 25 March, 2011

If Oddbins can emerge the other side of the CVA, it will cut the number of lines it stocks to 700 or 800, and push online sales alongside developing new brands, says the beleaguered chain's managing director.

Trading Standards warns against counterfeit wine

Published: 24 March, 2011

Trading Standards has warned retailers to be on their guard against a "growing problem" of counterfeit wine in circulation, after 600 bottles were seized from London off-licences.

Perrier-Jouët unveils 'Living Legacy' 200th anniversary Champagne

Published: 24 March, 2011

Champagne House Perrier-Jouët celebrated its bicentenary with the unveiling the first Living Legacy Champagne, designed to be passed on to future generations.

Sterling falls due to lowered economic growth estimate

Published: 24 March, 2011

Sterling fell by 0.8% against the US dollar as Chancellor George Osborne lowered the estimate for UK economic growth to 1.7% this year from a previous forecast of 2.1%.

Berrys committed to wine label improvements

Published: 24 March, 2011

Berry Bros & Rudd has explained why it has not signed up to a trade pledge to make drinks labels contain clear unit content, NHS guidelines and a warning about drinking when pregnant.

UK retailers plan ahead for Champagne for royal wedding

Published: 24 March, 2011

Important lessons have been learnt by UK retailers after over-stocking Champagne for the millennium celebrations and the same mistake will not be repeated for the up-coming Royal wedding and Olympics.

Trade body condemns 15p duty increase on wine

Published: 23 March, 2011

Wine is set to rise by 15p a bottle after the Chancellor went ahead as planned with the alcohol duty escalator in today's Budget.

Alcohol duty continues to rise

Published: 23 March, 2011

There was no relief for the drinks trade in the Budget, as the Chancellor failed to halt the progress of the controversial alcohol duty escalator.

Sake Samurai Association launches earthquake appeal

Published: 23 March, 2011

The Japan Sake Brewers Association Junior Council (Sake Samurai Association) has established an appeal in order to help members affected by the Tohoku-Kanto earthquake and tsunami.