Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

British Ambassadors call for more British wine and spirits at international events

Published: 20 June, 2019

The UK’s Ambassadors and senior diplomats have said they want to serve more English wine and British gin.

Think Gin Debate: Innovation vs Integrity

Published: 19 June, 2019

As flavoured gins continue to drive rapid growth and innovation in the category, concern grows over how to ‘future proof’ the spirit and prevent it becoming a victim of its own success.

WSTA challenges Gove over proposed deposit return scheme

Published: 14 May, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has called on Michael Gove, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, to exclude glass from a proposed deposit return scheme (DRS) aimed at reducing the use of plastic in packaging.

WSTA beefs up global expertise with Brampton appointment

Published: 14 May, 2019

Michelle Brampton, managing director for Europe at Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has joined the board of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

WSTA slams Scottish government glass deposit return scheme

Published: 09 May, 2019

The WSTA has hit out at the deposit return scheme launched by the Scottish government for including glass bottles, citing industry concerns that existing glass recycling procedures are already “efficient and well-understood”.

Flavoured and spiced to replace white as favourite rum style in UK off-trade

Published: 30 April, 2019

Flavoured and spiced rums are storming their way to becoming the most drunk style of rum in the off-trade, and could be the most sold style in the UK by the end of the year.

Gin sales almost double in two years

Published: 29 March, 2019

The UK bought a record breaking 73 million bottles of gin last year across the on and off-trade (Nielsen/CGA), with off-trade sales peaking in the run up to Mother's Day.

MPs urged to make no ‘no deal’ official before March 29

Published: 14 March, 2019

Last night’s vote to remove the possibility of a no deal scenario from the Brexit table has resulted in a sigh of relief from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) as well as other corners of the trade.

WSTA welcomes plan for temporary suspension on tariffs in event of 'no deal'

Published: 13 March, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the plan to temporarily suspend tariffs on wine and spirits under a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario.

WSTA and LWF reveal results of UK importers Brexit survey

Published: 28 February, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed the results of a survey carried out at its recent roundtable, held in partnership with the London Wine Fair (LWF), looking ahead to the potential effects of various Brexit outcomes on the trade.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

Gin and Scotch exports hit record highs

Published: 13 February, 2019

UK gin export sales exceeded £600 million in 2018 - a new record and up 15% on the previous year, according to new figures released by HMRC.

Chancellor’s wine hikes to go live at midnight

Published: 01 February, 2019

The wine industry is being warned to prepare for today’s rise in duty, which will push up a bottle of still wine by 7p to £2.23 overnight.

Gin boom sees England overtake Scotland in distillery numbers

Published: 24 January, 2019

The increasing popularity of gin has seen the number of distilleries in England nudge past Scotland for the first time, according to HMRC.

That was the year that was

Published: 14 January, 2019

As we eagerly await the Christmas trading results, Lisa Riley looks back at 2018 and the ups and downs across the drinks categories

WSTA calls for wine tariffs suspension to avoid ‘no deal’ price hikes

Published: 11 January, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the government to temporarily suspend wine tariffs to prevent prices rocketing in the event of a ‘no deal' Brexit .

Looking ahead: Miles Beale, WSTA

Published: 20 December, 2018

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

WSTA reiterates ‘duty rise’ and ‘no deal' Brexit concerns to government

Published: 20 December, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week reiterated the “bleak picture” a ‘no deal Brexit’, combined with the pending duty rise, would paint for UK wine importers.

WSTA returns to Tokyo to promote homegrown wine and gin

Published: 28 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week travelled to Tokyo to showcase the quality of English wine and British gin in a bid to boost exports.

Brexit: WSTA launches #NoToNoDeal campaign

Published: 20 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned MPs ‘don’t bottle it’, while urging wine and spirit businesses to get behind a campaign that makes clear that a no deal Brexit would be unacceptable to the UK drinks industry.