Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Fever-Tree to post 75% sales growth in 2016

Published: 24 January, 2017

Sales of premium mixer brand Fever-Tree were up 75% in 2016, the company expects to announce.

PGI application to protect 'British' versus imported grapes

Published: 24 January, 2017

The chair of the UKVA has hit back at claims that the purpose of a new PGI application was to coin a popular name for English sparkling wine, but rather to prevent grapes grown outside the UK from being called 'British'.

Writer and educator Steven Spurrier named WSET's fifth honorary president

Published: 24 January, 2017

Steven Spurirer, the industry veteran known for staging wine's very own Judgment of Paris in 1976, has been announced as the WSET's new honourary president.

Sake brewery aims to revitalise whisky operations

Published: 23 January, 2017

The Wakatsuru Shuzo sake brewery is to reinvest in whisky production again following a round of crowdfunding.

Armit unveils rare vintage release from La Rioja Alta

Published: 23 January, 2017

Armit Wines has announced the release of the 2007 Gran Reserva 904 from La Rioja Alta, which will be available from 25 January.

England's smallest whisky distillery to open in Yorkshire

Published: 23 January, 2017

A Yorkshire couple are to build a England's smallest whisky distillery in the North Yorkshire village of Sutton-on-the-Forest.

Lanson inks new partnershipship with The 02

Published: 23 January, 2017

Champagne Lanson, one of the UK's leading Champagne brands, has agreed a five-year sponsorship deal with London's O2 venue.

Gifting and corporate sales leads to better than expected Christmas at Virgin Wines

Published: 20 January, 2017

Gains in its gifting business and expanding it loyalty membership by over a third helped Virgin Wines to pull in bumper sales this Christmas.

A look back at May's Brexit speech: What does it mean for the trade?

Published: 20 January, 2017

As we hurtle towards the hard Brexit scenario outlined by Theresa May in her speech earlier this week, there are two main concerns affecting our industry.

WSTA calls on industry to help prevent wine being "singled out" at next budget

Published: 20 January, 2017

The body which represents the wine and spirits industry is calling on the industry to make sure that wine is looked on favourably at the next budget.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 20 January, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

WSTA calls UKVA's application for English fizz PGI a "side-show"

Published: 19 January, 2017

The UK Vineyards Association (UKVA) has revealed plans to apply for Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for English sparkling wine, using the term "British Fizz".

French Wine Discoveries tasting mirrors upswing in interest for Gallic wines

Published: 19 January, 2017

The Wines 4 Trade French Wine Discoveries tasting marked its 156^th London edition with a new venue near Tower Bridge, bringing together 120 producers with dedicated focuses on the Loire and grower Champagnes, drawing over 500 buyers to what organiser Anne-Catherine Vigouroux described as the "most successful event" yet

Barwell & Jones prepares to re-launch Marqués de Riscal in the UK

Published: 19 January, 2017

Historic Spanish winery Marqués de Riscal will be the focus of a new marketing and sales push to promote its presence in the UK.

Launch of Carson & Carnevale

Published: 19 January, 2017

Wine trade stalwart Christopher Carson and son Jonathan are to launch a new partnership with quality Italian food distributor Carnevale this February

Future trends: Technology turning "going out" into "staying in" and replacing planning with spontaneity

Published: 19 January, 2017

A new report from drinks giant Diageo which identifies three key social trends for the year ahead, shows that technology will increasingly become be a driving factor in how consumers spend their time.

Peer calls for law amendment to offer greater protection for pubs

Published: 18 January, 2017

Lord Roy Kennedy of Southwark, shadow spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), has confirmed his support for strengthening planning laws to protect vulnerable pubs across England.

New Zealand - pushing the premium

Published: 18 January, 2017

Premiumisation is the trend that is sweeping the world globally, with not just beers, wines and spirits, but also FMCGs like milk and beauty products taking the international market by storm according to Nielsen.

Regionality and terroir: The battle for New Zealand Pinot Noir

Published: 18 January, 2017

Away from its Burgundian origins, Pinot Noir has found a home from home in the cool climates of New Zealand's Marlborough, Nelson and Wairarapa regions.

New World Trading Company moves to new home following £50m sale

Published: 18 January, 2017

Hospitality group The New World Trading Company (NWTC) has settled into its new home on King Street, Knutsford following the sale to private equity firm Graphite Capital last year.