Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

South Africa overtakes France in market share

Published: 22 February, 2010

South African wine has overtaken French in the UK wine market for the first time in terms of volume.

New Prosecco laws start to bite

Published: 19 February, 2010

Marks and Spencer has become the first high-profile retailer to be hit by new Prosecco regulations after 14,400 bottles of its Rosecco brand were seized.

Virgin Wines helps fund South African school

Published: 19 February, 2010

Virgin Wines has announced it will help provide further funding as part of a project to build new facilities at a primary school in South Africa.

Police appeal over stolen Grant's

Published: 19 February, 2010

Police have appealed for the public to contact them if they are offered suspicious sales of whisky, following a theft from a Scottish depot last week.

Pernod Ricard launches underage drinking campaign

Published: 18 February, 2010

Pernod Ricard UK, has launched a campaign to tackle underage drinking by encouraging parents to play a more active role in educating their children.

French fraudsters convicted of selling fake Pinot Noir

Published: 18 February, 2010

Twelve producers and traders from the southwest of France have been found guilty of fraud after selling millions of bottles of fake Pinot Noir to E&J Gallo.

Exchange rates hit Pernod profits

Published: 18 February, 2010

Pernod Ricard saw a 5% decline in volume sales of its 15 strategic brands in the half-year to December 31.

Smirnoff introduces new pre-mix to range

Published: 17 February, 2010

Diageo GB has added Smirnoff and Cola, to its existing pre-mix can range of spirit and mixer combinations.

WSTA urges Treasury to freeze alcohol tax

Published: 17 February, 2010

The Wine and Spirit Trades Association WSTA, has warned the Treasury that "enough is enough" as it anticipates further tax increases ahead of next month's budget.

Percy Fox takes on Yellow Tail

Published: 17 February, 2010

Percy Fox & Co is to become the exclusive distributor for Casella Wines' flagship brand, Yellow Tail.

Facebook site urges people to "Save the Wine Column"

Published: 15 February, 2010

A Facebook site called "Save the Wine Column" has now over 700 industry and non-industry members and is growing daily.

New indie agency launched

Published: 15 February, 2010

A former employee of HwCg has launched a wine agency exclusively supplying the independent sector.

Drinks may face mandatory health warnings

Published: 15 February, 2010

The drinks industry is under more pressure to place health warnings on its products after the Department of Health reported that only 15% of products carry enough information for consumers.

Pernod sells off Scandinavian brands

Published: 15 February, 2010

Pernod Ricard has sold off some of its Scandinavian brands as part of its mission to achieve €1 billion in savings.

Laithwaites offers Lafite for £5

Published: 12 February, 2010

Laithwaites is offering fine wines for just £5 as part of the official opening of its new flagship store in London.

£100,000 of Scotch whisky stolen

Published: 12 February, 2010

More than £100,000 worth of whisky has been stolen from a Scottish transport depot.

Hallgarten Druitt buys Novum Wines

Published: 11 February, 2010

Hallgarten Druitt has bought Novum Wines for an undisclosed sum.

New Zealand must not hike up Pinot Noir prices

Published: 11 February, 2010

New Zealand must not miss its opportunity to strengthen its position as the world's leading producer of affordable Pinot Noir, members of the UK wine trade have claimed.

New Zealand must not hike prices on Pinot Noir

Published: 11 February, 2010

New Zealand must not miss its opportunity to strengthen its position as the world's leading producer of affordable Pinot Noir by pushing prices up members of the UK wine trade have claimed.