Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

First Drinks ramps up on-trade investment

Published: 30 November, 2012

First Drinks is strengthening its on-trade presence with a major investment to boost staff as well as develop a new merchandising strategy.

Embrace balance sheet or risk going bust, warns TWE head

Published: 30 November, 2012

Knowing how to make wine but "not embracing the balance sheet" is the reason so many wine businesses have gone...

Accolade Wines' CEO Troy Christensen departs

Published: 30 November, 2012

Accolade Wines' chief executive Troy Christensen has left the business today "by mutual agreement".

Roger Federer: the new face of Moët & Chandon

Published: 30 November, 2012

Global tennis superstar Roger Federer is the new face of Moët & Chandon and will take a starring role in the brand's new advertising campaign which kicks off in March 2013.

Anne Krebiehl gains admittance to Salon Champagne's inner circle

Published: 30 November, 2012

Sometimes you sample wines you know you will probably never taste again. Wednesday's tasting of Salon Champagne was a case in point. Sometimes you sample wines you know you will probably never taste again. Wednesday's tasting of Salon Champagne was a case in point.

Saint-Chinian AOC focuses on UK market

Published: 29 November, 2012

The southern French appellation of Saint-Chinian in the Languedoc is stepping up its activity in the UK market next year.

Pernod Ricard appoints new spirits channel director

Published: 29 November, 2012

Pernod Ricard UK has appointed Chris Shead as channel director for spirits in the off-trade.

Three company directors leave Bibendum

Published: 29 November, 2012

Three company directors have left wine supplier Bibendum this week - but managing director Michael Saunders insists the move is just "streamlining the management team".

Douglas Blyde embraces Comptoir Gascon's tribute to South West France

Published: 29 November, 2012

"Comptoir Gascon is our maison du vin," says actor turned wine PR director for agribusiness specialist, Sopexa, Chris Skyrme. He gestures to the three ISO glasses in front of me. They are a third full with three of a total range of 91 wines from the South West of France in rotation as a complimentary aperitif to diners of the Smithfield bistro.

Drive to restore British gin to 'former glory'

Published: 29 November, 2012

The former founder of Tyrrells crisps is rolling out a British gin in the wake of new figures that show an annual 11.6% increase in gin sales.

Majority of consumers against minimum pricing, reveals new poll

Published: 29 November, 2012

The majority of people in England and Wales do not think there should be a minimum price of alcohol, according to research commissioned by retail and consumer analysts, Kantar.

Emerging Languedoc region targets UK for exports

Published: 29 November, 2012

Producers from the emerging Saint-Chinian appellation in the Languedoc in southern France are to target the UK in early 2013 in the hope of gaining listings and a foothold in the UK wine market.

New body to protect fine wine investors launches

Published: 28 November, 2012

The Wine Investment Association was officially launched today promising to set up regulations and processes that protect wine investments of private individuals.

Home Office launches 10-week consultation on alcohol

Published: 28 November, 2012

The Home Office has launched a 10-week consultation on the Alcohol Strategy, which will seek views on banning multibuys and setting a minimum unit price of 45p.

LIWF 2013 ramps up UK focus

Published: 28 November, 2012

Next year's London International Wine Fair will focus heavily on UK business, rather than trying to attract overseas visitors.

ROLLING UPDATE Alcohol strategy: trade polarised over new measures

Published: 28 November, 2012

The measures proposed by government under its alcohol consultation have polarised opinion within the drinks trade, with the main trade body and producers condemning minimum pricing, while some in the on-trade and smaller merchants believe it is a good idea.