Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Liberty pushes into new frontiers ahead of Brexit

Published: 16 January, 2019

An English winemaker, a French winemaker and an Italian winemaker walk into a winebar.

Distell names new premium wine company

Published: 15 January, 2019

South African juggernaut Distell has officially announced the launch of its new premium wine division which will go by the name Libertas Vineyards and Estates.

New Zealand's evolving vinous landscape

Published: 10 January, 2019

New Zealand’s wine scene has come a long way since its inception in the 1970s. Jamie Goode meets the personalities driving change in leading region Marlborough

Spotlight on 2020: Doug Wregg, Les Cave de Pyrene

Published: 07 January, 2019

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Looking ahead: Andrew Johnson, Woodwinters

Published: 13 December, 2018

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

Bordeaux targets YouTube generation with new UK campaign

Published: 15 November, 2018

The Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB) has launched a new digital campaign has launched to increase awareness of Bordeaux wines in the UK market - a major market for wine exports from the region.

WoodWinters adds old Barossa Soul to portfolio

Published: 13 November, 2018

Indie merchant WoodWinters has strengthened its growing wholesale portfolio with the addition of the UK agency for Soul Growers from Barossa.

Black Tower chooses low cal range for new campaign

Published: 02 November, 2018

Leading German brand Black Tower has announced it will be highlighting its low calorie range ahead of the festive season with a new neck collar campaign.

Think Whisky 2018: Wising up to whisky

Published: 08 October, 2018

Despite being the second biggest spirits category in the UK, accounting for 21% of sales (Nielsen/CGA, year to June 2018), big opportunities exist for whisk(e)y if it can grow engagement with women and younger adults, who currently shy away from the category.

Pernod Ricard plugs Scotch growth back into NPD with new launch

Published: 30 August, 2018

Pernod Ricard is capitalising on encouraging growth in the Scotch category with the launch of its new Chivas XV.

Lanchester Wines and Adnams strike green partnership

Published: 07 August, 2018

Durham-based merchant Lanchester Wines has produced a range of wines for Suffolk-based brewer, distiller and retailer Adnams, with a focus on sustainability.

Milestone eyes Spanish and Italian wines

Published: 03 August, 2018

Milestone Wines is looking to add two further agencies to the business, its new director of agency sales has said.

Liberty backs Spurrier and Boisset’s Indian wine collaborations

Published: 01 August, 2018

Indian wine could be the next big thing if a new collaboration between a number of industry heavyweights is anything to go by.

Flint Wines eyes growth with new senior development manager

Published: 25 July, 2018

Specialist fine wine importer Flint Wines has hired a new company development manager as part of an “ambitious” five-year plan to drive the company forward.

Olivier Dauga encourages French producers to adopt sustainable and organic practices

Published: 17 July, 2018

French wine consultant Olivier Dauga was in town last night to present a number of new conversion projects with wine producers in Bordeaux, South and South West France, which focus on organic conversion and sustainability.

“Frictionless trade”: What the white paper tells us

Published: 16 July, 2018

The government’s new white paper on economic arrangements post-Brexit is the roadmap that many have been waiting for, outlining how the EU’s future relationship with the UK could work after March 19.

XECO Wines appoints Tortuga Brands as UK distributor

Published: 27 June, 2018

Newly formed sherry brand XECO Wines has appointed Tortuga Brands as its exclusive UK distributor with sole responsibility for its sales and marketing.

Kiwi winegrowers predict ‘modest’ export growth in spite of good harvest

Published: 25 June, 2018

New Zealand winegrowers are predicting only modest export growth for the coming year in spite of a 6% surge in grape production.

California Wine Institute welcomes new chairman

Published: 15 June, 2018

Chris Indelicato of Delicato Family Vineyards has been voted in by members as Wine Institute chairman for 2018 to 2019 at the association’s 84th annual meeting.

Tim Atkin MW: Where wines really come from doesn’t matter to many

Published: 01 June, 2018

I’ve never been to the Phantom River in New Zealand’s South Island, but a quick search online shows that it rises in the Ben McLeod Range and joins the Orari River close to Peel Forest. With its echoes of nature, mystery and the gold rush, it’s a wonderful name for a Sauvignon Blanc brand. Punters clearly think so too, as Phantom River is currently selling several million bottles at £5 in Sainsbury’s.