Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Gin exports on track to reach £600m in 2018

Published: 14 August, 2018

The UK has further cemented its status as the largest exporter of gin in the world with yet another record-breaking start to the year.

Jago calls for trade to better promote its career opportunities

Published: 30 July, 2018

Speaking to Harpers at Berry Bros. & Rudd HQ in St James, the merchant’s chief executive Dan Jago made a passionate case for the wider trade to better promote the benefits of a career in the drinks sector.

UK and EU step up preparations for a "no deal" Brexit

Published: 20 July, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has voiced frustration over the plodding pace of Brexit negotiations as the EU published a paper on what businesses should do to prepare for a "no deal" or “hard Brexit” outcome.

British wine and gin under the spotlight ahead of Saturday's match

Published: 06 July, 2018

Ever wondered how much wine and spirits the UK exports to Sweden?

Wine and spirits bring £67m boost to Treasury coffers

Published: 14 June, 2018

The freeze on alcohol duty at last November’s Budget has given the Treasury a £67 million boost in just four months.

Gin is in the pink as innovation accelerates

Published: 13 June, 2018

The trend for pink gins and gins distilled with unusual ingredients is gathering pace following a spate of launches this week.

Britain facing ‘gin drought’ if no Brexit deal is found

Published: 12 June, 2018

British distillers are warning of a potential ‘gin drought’ if negotiators fail to reach a deal with the EU before the UK’s Brexit deadline next March.

Women in Wine

Published: 04 June, 2018

Lisa Riley reports on how both genders are galvanising efforts to ensure better representation for women in the industry

WSTA’s Gibbs leaves to work for government

Published: 31 May, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has announced its director of UK policy and social responsibility, Carlo Gibbs, will be leaving later this summer.

WSTA partners with Crimestoppers in fake booze crackdown

Published: 28 May, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has joined forces with Crimestoppers in a crackdown on fake booze pedalling.

LWF: Uncertainty continues to cloud Brexit debate to 2020 and beyond

Published: 21 May, 2018

With 312 days to go until the UK officially leaves the EU, the effect of economic uncertainty and how the trade is placed to take advantage of opportunities offered by Brexit formed the crux of discussions at one of the opening debates of the London Wine Fair this morning.

LWF: Free tickets for WSTA conference up for grabs as Hillebrand renews sponsorship

Published: 21 May, 2018

JF Hillebrand has renewed its sponsorship deal of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) annual conference.

WSTA signs deal to promote trade relations with China

Published: 24 April, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is to sign an agreement with Chinese distiller Kweichow Moutai Co to increase trade relations between the two countries.

Record breaking year for bottles of English and Welsh wine

Published: 03 April, 2018

A record number of bottles of English and Welsh wines were released onto the market last year, according to new HMRC data.

UK trade responds as EU27 approves negotiating guidelines for next phase of Brexit and transition deal

Published: 23 March, 2018

On Friday in Brussels EU leaders finally agreed to adopt negotiating guidelines for the future of EU-UK relations, paving the way for the next phase of talks to get underway, after months of wrangling over the details.

Spain raises the stakes

Published: 23 March, 2018

Spain has long been known as the commercial hub of Europe’s classic winemaking regions – a category that has traditionally seen off-trade sales veer towards its £5-£10 “sweet spot” or lower, to the sub-£5, rather than its top tier of lauded pagos.

Sparkling drives growth as inflation bites down on average prices

Published: 12 March, 2018

Volume sales of alcohol continued to decline in the UK off-trade in 2017, but value sales increased in both yearly and quarterly sales, particularly in sparkling wine, which remains the main driver of growth for the overall wine category.

WSTA wins European award for annual conference

Published: 27 February, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has been awarded the Best Conference gong at the European Association Awards (EAC) ceremony for its annual conference

The Midlands Wine & Spirit Association appoints new chairman

Published: 26 February, 2018

The Midlands Wine & Spirit Association (MWSA) has appointed Iain Phillips of Mentzendorff & Co as its new chairman.

WSTA strengthens board with two new appointments

Published: 07 February, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added two new members to its board - Tesco’s commercial director, Kari Daniels and The Wine society’s Robin McMillan.