Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bargain Booze develops convenience offering

Published: 04 January, 2013

Off-licence chain Bargain Booze has revealed plans to expand its frozen food range this year after growing sales in its 600-plus stores.

Independents see double-digit growth over festive season

Published: 04 January, 2013

Early indications suggest independent merchants' sales were healthily up on last year across the festive season, with the southern part of the country performing particuarly well.

January trade tastings fast approaching

Published: 04 January, 2013

Two wine fairs to look ahead to this month include Wine Australia's first Independent Retailer and On-Trade tasting, and the Oregon and Washington State annual trade and press tasting, both on January 31.

John Buck wins NZ wine industry honour

Published: 03 January, 2013

John Buck, chairman of Te Mata Estate Winery, has been awarded a Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit (CMNZ), for leadership in the New Zealand wine industry.

Festive restaurant round-up - 'value' remains a keyword

Published: 03 January, 2013

The restaurant business was polarised both over the festive season and throughout 2012, with good service and value being rewarded, according to Soren Jessen, owner of 1 Lombard Street and 1776.

Marisco Vineyards appoints new winemaker

Published: 03 January, 2013

New Zealand's Marisco Vineyards has appointed a new winemaker for 2013 and announced it will now bottle a range of its wines in screen-printed glass.

Festive restaurant round-up

Published: 03 January, 2013

The restaurant business was polarized into being very busy, or not, both over the festive season and throughout 2012, with good service and value being rewarded, according to Soren Jessen, owner of 1 Lombard Street and 1776.

WSET announces shortlist for Educator of the Year awards

Published: 02 January, 2013

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has revealed the names of its top course providers shortlisted to receive one of two Educator of the Year trophies.

The Society of Vintners welcomes new members

Published: 02 January, 2013

The Society of Vintners has swelled its ranks with the addition of three new members.

Scotch whisky industry more productive than City of London

Published: 02 January, 2013

Scotch whisky is now worth more than £4 billion to the Scottish economy and is more productive than the City of London, according to a report commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

My hopes for 2013: Bibendum's Michael Saunders on standing up for ourselves

Published: 02 January, 2013

2012 is not a year many drinks businesses will look back on fondly. The economy stalled again, the expected Olympic boost never materialised, several very good companies failed to survive and the government continues to threaten us with restrictive legislation.

Geoffrey Dean's tour of Australia takes him to the wineries of Victoria

Published: 02 January, 2013

Ever drunk sparkling wine out of a can? I can sense a pretty horrified reaction from many readers, but one Australian winery believes it is the first to sell bubbly in aluminium.

Your hopes for 2013: have your say

Published: 31 December, 2012

As we enter a new year, what changes would you like to see happen in the wine and spirits industry in 2013?

Geoffrey Dean pays tribute to Australian fortifieds on his tour Down Under

Published: 27 December, 2012

Finding ourselves as we do in the midst of the Twelve Days of Christmas, replete with mince pies, Christmas pud and other rich offerings, it is timely to pay tribute to Australian fortifieds. They have been making them Down Under since the 19th Century, of course, but on a pre-Yuletide visit to Rutherglen in northern Victoria, it became clear that the bar there is being pushed higher and higher.

Justin Knock MW joins Cobevco

Published: 24 December, 2012

Justin Knock MW, has joined bottling specialist Cobevco as its official winemaking consultant in order to help develop packaging solutions and communicate the latest technology developments in bulk shipping and in-market production.

Bowmore sells oldest malt for £100,000

Published: 24 December, 2012

Islay Single Malt whisky, Bowmore has sold the No. 1 bottle of its oldest ever expression, the Bowmore 1957 for £100,000 at its distillery on Islay.

My hopes for 2013: Chris Powell, Local Wine School on the importance of wine education

Published: 24 December, 2012

In the first of a series of opinion pieces from leading industry figures looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities we face in 2013, Chris Powell, founder and director of the Local Wine School, says the trade needs to understand what consumers are looking for from wine education:

The Co-operative announces festive Champagne sales up 21%

Published: 21 December, 2012

The Co-operative has announced Champagne are sales up 21% in the last week compared to the same week last year, with big price reductions driving the trend.

Wines of Germany announces 2013 events

Published: 21 December, 2012

Wines of Germany have announced a series of events for 2013 which includes the continuation of the 31 Days of German Riesling campaign and Dragon's Den-style competition, called 'Get it on'.

Offering Champagne at Cava prices could 'seriously damage' category

Published: 21 December, 2012

Noel Reid, wine and spirits buyer at Frederic Robinson has said positioning Champagne at prices not far above that of Prosecco or Cava could "very seriously damage the reputation of the entire segment".