Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Harvest report, week two Mario Pablo Silva, Vina Casa Silva, Chile

Published: 02 March, 2009

The second in our harvest reports from Mario Pablo Silva, managing director of Viña Casa Silva sent on February 29 from the Colchagua Valley, Chile

Fuller's reopens improved shop

Published: 02 March, 2009

Fuller's has reopened its brewery shop - which also sells an extensive range of wines and spirits - following a major refurbishment.

Whisky leader attacks minimum pricing plans

Published: 02 March, 2009

Scotland's plans for minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks are likely to breach both EU and international trade law, the Scotch Whisky Association has warned.

Distell takes Bisquit

Published: 02 March, 2009

Pernod Ricard has continued its disposal of brands following last year's Absolut acquisition with the sale of Bisquit Cognac.

UK rollout for flavoured Smirnoff and Baileys

Published: 02 March, 2009

Diageo is rolling out two new flavoured Smirnoff vodkas and a coffee-flavoured version of Baileys in the UK, after successful test markets.

Australian vintage could be down 22%

Published: 28 February, 2009

The 2009 Australian wine grape harvest could be 22% lower than last year, according to some calculations.

Scottish licensing regulations cost retailers £16m

Published: 27 February, 2009

The new licensing regulations in Scotland are estimated to have cost local convenience stores in excess of £16 million in costs.

Worldwide fall in Champagne shipments

Published: 27 February, 2009

Worldwide Champagne shipments fell by 4.8% in 2008 and 16.3m bottles to 322,453,852 bottles, according to the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC).

EU allows more time for allergen labelling

Published: 26 February, 2009

The WSTA is celebrating a European Commission decision to allow wineries more time to comply with regulations on the labelling of allergens in wines.

MPs to hear duty fears today

Published: 26 February, 2009

A top government committee examining the impact of tax changes on the UK drinks industry will hear oral submissions from the the trade's main bodies today as part of a wide-ranging inquiry.

US wine exports hit new high

Published: 26 February, 2009

Exports of US wine passed the $1 billion mark for the first time in 2008.

Screwcap producer rejects cork claims

Published: 25 February, 2009

A leading manufacturer of screwcaps has accused the cork industry of making "erroneous claims" about rival closures.

Champagne Jacquart parts company with MD

Published: 25 February, 2009

Champagne Jacquart has issued a statement saying that Jean-Marc Pottiez "is no longer acting as managing director of the company".

IWC hits the TV screens

Published: 24 February, 2009

Behind the scenes of the world's leading wine competition will be the subject of a programme in a new BBC Four series.

Vergelegen moves to PLB

Published: 24 February, 2009

Premium South African wine producer Vergelegen has appointed PLB its new UK distributor.

Harvest Blog, Mario Pablo Silva, Vina Casa Silva, Chile

Published: 24 February, 2009

Welcome to the first of our harvest blogs direct from Mario Pablo Silva, managing director of Viña Casa Silva based in the
Colchagua Valley, Chile. He will be giving a weekly update from Chile on how the harvest is going for 2009