Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Rolling update: English wine harvest predictions

Published: 29 August, 2012

The English wine harvest is looking to be around two weeks later than the previous few years, with average to below-average crops.

Bowmore teams up with the River Cottage

Published: 29 August, 2012

Bowmore has teamed up with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage to launch a series of seafood and dessert recipes to match its range of Islay single malt whiskies.

Maker's Mark brings tasting initiative to Big Feastival

Published: 29 August, 2012

Maker's Mark is to bring its Kentucky Born and Bred initiative to Jamie Oliver's Big Feastival next month, with bread and Bourbon tastings, and a live cocktail vending machine.

Rolling update: Wineries make harvest predictions

Published: 29 August, 2012

As September looms, the wine industry in the northern hemisphere is keeping an anxious eye on its crops, with many having experienced unusual weather conditions earlier this year.

HMRC lacks crucial data to crack down on alcohol duty fraud, say MPs

Published: 29 August, 2012

The lack of accurate data on wine duty fraud is "unacceptable", HMRC has warned, as new figures show up to £1.2 billion is being lost in unpaid duty.

Founders of Aqua and Zuma restaurant empires take on the Shard

Published: 28 August, 2012

The restaurateurs behind global empires Aqua and Zuma will run the dining outlets at western Europe's tallest building, London's Shard tower.

Berry Bros & Rudd launches premium glassware range

Published: 28 August, 2012

Berry Bros & Rudd has launched a new premium handmade glassware range designed to improve the tasting experience.

Halewood launches Jellus flavoured vodka range

Published: 28 August, 2012

Halewood International has expanded its spirits portfolio with the launch of the Jellus flavoured vodka range.

Premium Chile a long way off, warn senior trade figures

Published: 28 August, 2012

Chile's transformation into a premium contender will take years, warn senior trade figures.

Masterclasses revealed for SITT Autumn

Published: 28 August, 2012

New additions to SITT Autumn include the Oregon Wine Board, which will showcase seven wineries, five of those seeking UK distribution, and two masterclasses focusing on Spanish and Romanian wines.

NZ and OZ winemakers hit the road with Negociants

Published: 24 August, 2012

Winemakers from Australia and New Zealand will be hitting the road this month as Negociants embarks on its first ever UK winemaker tour, in order to re-establish close links with the trade.

The Bunch group turns spotlight on wines' provenance

Published: 24 August, 2012

The Bunch, the group of six independents that champions the sector as well as en primeur wines, is upping the focus on wines' provenance.

Wine merchant scraps plans for drinks retailing 'super group'

Published: 24 August, 2012

A wine merchant's plans to create a "super-group of drinks retailers" encompassing a buying group and website for both stores and suppliers, have been scrapped.

Stolichnaya celebrates 50th anniversary with new flavours

Published: 24 August, 2012

Maxxium-distributed Stolichnaya premium vodka has launched new flavours Stoli Hot and Stoli Sticki to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first flavoured vodkas.

Retailers question data showing slowdown in alcohol sales online

Published: 24 August, 2012

Data showing a slowdown in the rate of alcohol sales online compared with other sectors does not hold true, say a number of major online wine retailers.

Henri Giraud opens its first branded UK Champagne bar

Published: 24 August, 2012

Champagne Henri Giraud has launched its first branded Champagne bar in the UK.

High street sales down despite summer celebrations

Published: 23 August, 2012

The summer's events may have created a mood of national celebration, but positivity has not followed through on to the high street, according to CBI's quarterly Distributive Trades Survey.