Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sterling holds firm against the euro

Published: 18 May, 2012

Sterling hit fresh highs against the euro this week due to the crisis in Greece, before weakening off against the majority of currencies yesterday.

Free Run launches its own French wine brand

Published: 18 May, 2012

Free Run Wines is launching its own French wine brand - Les Calades - to plug what it sees as a gap in the market.

Wine is consumers' favourite tipple, says poll

Published: 18 May, 2012

Wine is still the consumers' favourite tipple, but in these cash-strapped times they are cutting down on going out to pubs and restaurants, says a poll commissioned by the WSTA.

Les Vignobles Foncalieu launches Grands Vins

Published: 18 May, 2012

Southern French co-operative Les Vignobles Foncalieu has launched Grand Vins - a collection of prestige wines that celebrate the "excellent" 2009 vintage.

Drink-led pubs worst hit by weather

Published: 17 May, 2012

A cold and wet April has hit spending on eating and drinking-out, with pub and restaurant groups seeing like-for-like sales down 2% for the month.

Laphroaig's 18 Year Old gets Jubilee treatment

Published: 17 May, 2012

Islay single malt whisky Laphroaig has released a limited run of its 18 Year Old with Diamond Jubilee packaging.

Whisky Exchange Whisky Show returns to Vinopolis

Published: 17 May, 2012

The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show has confirmed it will return to Vinopolis in October 2012 on the back of last year's "sell-out" event.

Sterling suffers setbacks as UK cuts growth forecasts

Published: 17 May, 2012

Sterling suffered a setback as the Bank of England cut its growth forecasts and noted that events in the Euro zone increased risk of the UK economic recovery faltering.

Final call for entries for Sud de France Retailer of the Year competition

Published: 17 May, 2012

Independent wine merchants are being called upon to enter the Sud de France Festival with the chance of winning Sud de France Retailer of the Year 2012 and a masterclass hosted by Sarah Jane Evans MW.

Guy Anderson Wines strengthens Italian offer with Contarini Prosecco

Published: 16 May, 2012

Guy Anderson Wines has taken on Prosecco producer Contarini in order to strengthen its position in Italy.

Indies buy wine direct to benefit from euro exchange rate

Published: 16 May, 2012

Independent retailers are seizing the opportunity to buy wines direct in order to boost their margins thanks to sterling's four-year high against the euro.

Wine Stars finalists announced

Published: 16 May, 2012

An initiative giving wineries the chance to compete in a competition to secure a five-minute pitch with the UK's leading buyers has attracted almost 200 entries.

Personnel change for ProWein organisers

Published: 16 May, 2012

German trade fair ProWein has announced a change in leadership of its senior management team.

Blue Nun links up with TV chef to promote 'at home' recipes

Published: 16 May, 2012

German wine brand Blue Nun has linked up with chef, author and TV presenter Sophie Michell, who will front a range of 'at home' recipes to compliment its range of wines.

Sterling has mixed day, as UK trade deficit widens

Published: 16 May, 2012

Sterling had a mixed day yesterday weakening off against the majority of currencies in the morning before strengthening against most in the afternoon.