Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Rosé sales on the rise

Published: 26 August, 2008

The popularity of rosé is on the rise, according to new research commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Foster's reports 88% profit slump

Published: 26 August, 2008

Australian wine giant Foster's Group has reported an 88% slump in profits as sales of its wines continue to fall.

Cost of drinking up 5% says US survey

Published: 26 August, 2008

Research carried out by a US-based pricing intelligence firm shows that the cost of alcoholic beverages in the country has risen 5% in the past year.

Diageo on target to achieve growth targets

Published: 26 August, 2008

Diageo is expected to deliver on its target of 9% operating profit growth when it announces its full-year results on Thursday.

Diageo launches DVD to tackle under-age drinking

Published: 26 August, 2008

Diageo GB is launching a DVD aimed at educating both on-trade and off-trade employees on the importance of identifying and refusing underage drinkers.

Red Square packaging to be reloaded after consumer complaint

Published: 22 August, 2008

The vodka-based Red Square Reloaded alcoholic ready-to-drink is being re-packaged by brand owner Halewood International to make it clear the drink contains alcohol after a complaint was made to the Portman Group drinks industry watchdog.

Jacquart replaces Canard-Duchene at Paragon

Published: 22 August, 2008

Champagne Jacquart has signed a new distribution deal with Paragon Vintners.

Miller launches live music experience

Published: 22 August, 2008

Miller Genuine Draft has launched a live music venture designed to showcase emerging music talent in Scotland.

Pol Roger appoints Simpson as sales director

Published: 21 August, 2008

James Simpson has been appointed sales director at wine producer Pol Roger.

SWA chief appointed to Scottish food and drink forum

Published: 21 August, 2008

Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scottish Whisky Association (SWA) has been appointed drinks representative of Scotland's new Food and Drink Leadership Forum.

Diageo installs latest phase of £40 million distillery project

Published: 21 August, 2008

Diageo has installed 14 new copper stills as part of the construction of its new distillery in Roseisle, Scotland.

Free Run Wines to launch new Chilean range

Published: 20 August, 2008

Free Run Wines has teamed up with Chilean winery Viña Las Niñas to launch a new range into the UK.

Student brand Varsity launches "crazy" student campaign

Published: 20 August, 2008

Barracuda pub group's student brand, Varsity, has launched a competition to find the "Face of Varsity" for next year's poster campaign.

Wine tasting gets the Twitter treatment

Published: 20 August, 2008

A US online retailer and a French wine producer have teamed up to organise a "virtual" wine tasting event on social networking site Twitter.

Rare whisky goes on auction at Harrods

Published: 20 August, 2008

The first ever bottle of Jura 40 year old whisky is to be sold at a silent auction at Harrods.

New Zealand wine exports reach record levels

Published: 20 August, 2008

New Zealand wine growers are on target to achieve $1 billion (£538 million) of exports by 2010, according annual results released today by New Zealand Winegrowers.

Cognac shipments fall 4%

Published: 20 August, 2008

Sales of cognac have fallen nearly 4% in the past 12 months, according to figures from the Bureau National Interprofessional du Cognac (BNIC).

WSET starts search for educator of the year

Published: 20 August, 2008

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced its call for nominations for the WSET Educator of the Year 2008.

Wines from Rioja bids to boost UK sales with promotions activity

Published: 19 August, 2008

Wines from Rioja is looking to boost its sales in the UK's independent retail sector by launching a series of promotions.

Carlsberg pulls Sun promotion after backlash from Liverpool fans

Published: 19 August, 2008

Carlsberg has been forced to drop a promotion it was due to run in The Sun this bank holiday weekend after a backlash from Liverpool football club fans.