Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Whisky producers raise money for Japan appeal

Published: 06 April, 2011

The 'Spirit of Unity' whisky produced by a group of independent Scottish distilleries in aid of Japan's disaster relief effort has raised £5,900 within 24-hours.

Positive service sector figures sees sterling gain ground

Published: 06 April, 2011

Sterling benefitted from some better economic data here in the UK and negative sentiment elsewhere.

WDR launches duty + VAT calculator

Published: 05 April, 2011

The Wilson Drinks Report has launched new online calculator to help retailers work out the lowest permissible sales price when the ban on selling alcohol below cost is implemented.

Hungarian Wine Society launches to UK market

Published: 05 April, 2011

The Hungarian Wine Society has been launched with the aim of bringing a broader range of the country's wines to the UK market.

English sparkling wines to showcase at Vinitaly

Published: 05 April, 2011

For the first time English Sparkling wines are to be showcased at Vinitaly.

Tesco's wine team to focus on product type

Published: 05 April, 2011

Tesco is changing the focus of its wine buying and development teams to look at product type rather than country of origin, and has recruited two new buyers.

Sterling under pressure due to fragility of UK economy

Published: 05 April, 2011

A steady start to the week for sterling gaining slightly against the euro and the US$.

National Wine Month consumer website goes live

Published: 04 April, 2011

National Wine Month has launched the consumer facing website, 'Make Time for Wine'.

Bordeaux 2010 tipped for success

Published: 04 April, 2011

Early indications show that Bordeaux 2010 looks set to be an impressive vintage, according to Berry Bros & Rudd's fine wine director Simon Staples.

Visitors to ProWein on the increase

Published: 04 April, 2011

Visitor numbers were up 5% to 38,000 at this year's ProWein show, and there were 200 more exhibitors than last year.

Interest rates likely to be held

Published: 04 April, 2011

The Bank of England meets this week and the expectation is for interest rates to be kept on hold as the Monetary Policy Committee wait to see how the UK economy is being affected by the government's austerity cuts.

The Sake Communicator Award - call for entries

Published: 04 April, 2011

The Sake Samurai Association, in partnership with the International Wine Challenge, is offering bloggers, wine writers and journalists the chance to win all expenses paid trip to Japan.

Deloitte appointed as Oddbins administrators

Published: 04 April, 2011

Lee Manning and Matthew Smith, partners at Deloitte have been appointed as joint administrators to Oddbins and Oddbins Properties.

WSET to fund Oddbins' diploma students

Published: 01 April, 2011

The WSET will fund Oddbins' students on current diploma programmes, after news broke yesterday that the off-licence chain is set for administration.

Luxardo Original Sambuca wins double gold in San Francisco

Published: 01 April, 2011

Luxardo Original Sambuca has won a double gold medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2011.

FindWine to launch FindWine 'Demons'

Published: 01 April, 2011

Online retailer FindWine is to launch FindWine 'Demons', an initiative based upon the Naked Wines model that helps winemakers find a route to market.

Sterling falls as UK data disappoints

Published: 01 April, 2011

Sterling fell to a five month low against the euro yesterday as euro-region inflation data left investors betting that the European Central Bank will raise interest rates before the Bank of England.

Campo Viejo sponsors London Spanish Film Festival

Published: 31 March, 2011

Rioja wine brand Campo Viejo is sponsoring the upcoming London Spanish Film Festival Spring Weekend which runs from April 1-3.

Pernod Ricard to push premium spirits

Published: 31 March, 2011

Pernod Ricard plans to push the growth of premium spirits in the UK to match the USA's consumption with the launch of a new on and off-trade initiative.