Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

France's great digital shift

Published: 14 July, 2021

A new breed of French digital-solution companies is helping the country’s producers embrace online. Jo Gilbert reports

Armit adds Provence producer Domaine des Mapliers

Published: 25 May, 2021

Armit Wines has added Provence producer Domaine Mapliers to its rapidly expanding wine portfolio.

Ethical Bordeaux wine distributor sets sights on UK

Published: 24 March, 2021

An ethical Bordeaux wine distribution start-up has announced its ambition to launch in the UK.

Burgundy UK wine exports in double-digit growth

Published: 16 February, 2021

Exports of Burgundy wine to the UK rose 16.1% in volume in the first eleven months of the year compared to the same period last year, with value up 10%, according to the latest Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) data.

Long read: It’s time for a France re-think

Published: 04 February, 2021

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, tells us why she thinks French wine brands could afford to up the ‘badass’ design stakes when marketing overseas.

France and the US top Robert Parker’s inaugural Top 100 Wine Discoveries List

Published: 18 November, 2020

France and the US cap off a new list of wines from Robert Parker Wine Advocate, which aims to identify the next big icon wines and trends from around the globe.

Occitanie raises profile with online films

Published: 03 November, 2020

The Occitanie region of France is about to be much better known in the UK.

Mirabeau appoints chief marketing officer

Published: 09 September, 2020

Mirabeau has appointed Richard Beaumont to the position of chief marketing officer.

Bibendum announces exclusive partnership with Tutiac

Published: 13 July, 2020

Bibendum has announced an exclusive partnership with Tutiac - France’s largest winery of Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, with wines from 16 of Bordeaux’s AOCs.

Majestic re-opens across the Channel

Published: 08 July, 2020

Majestic Calais, the French arm of Majestic Wine, has reopened its doors to customers at its superstore over The Channel following the easing of travel restrictions in and out of the UK.

Staples bolsters Lay & Wheeler senior team

Published: 23 April, 2020

Lay & Wheeler has bolstered its senior team with the immediate addition of Simon Staples and Catherine Petrie MW.

Domaine de la Commaraine acquires new vineyards in the Côte de Nuits

Published: 09 April, 2020

Domaine de la Commaraine has purchased 5.8 acre of vineyards in the Côte de Nuits for an undisclosed sum.

France: Shaking up the south

Published: 31 March, 2020

Off-piste wines from southern climes are increasingly drawing the spotlight, as Jo Gilbert reports.

Majestic reassures over stock after big spike in demand for EU wines

Published: 17 March, 2020

Majestic Wine has realised a statement saying “shelves will stay stacked with wine” after customer stockpiling drove dramatic increases in demand for wines over the weekend.

France lockdown presenting challenge for some UK importers

Published: 17 March, 2020

President Macron’s announcement on Monday (16 March) that France is to close its borders to all but essential movement and trade, coupled with a ban on non-essential movement of people domestically, is also seeing some warehouses and businesses shut up shop as the coronavirus situation worsens.

Southern hemisphere wines to receive post-Brexit boost

Published: 10 February, 2020

Wines from the southern hemisphere will thrive most in post-Brexit Britain, according to the latest Wine Trade Monitor from food-and-drink communications agency Sopexa.

Trump trade truce puts US tariffs on French wine on hold

Published: 22 January, 2020

The USA’s threat of slapping 100% tariffs on US$2.4 billion worth of French imports including wine and Champagne seems to have been put on hold after the countries’ leaders announced a ceasefire on Twitter.

Q&A: Anne-Catherine Vigouroux, French Wine Discoveries

Published: 14 January, 2020

Founder of Wine 4 Trade Anne-Catherine Vigouroux outlines to James Lawrence what visitors can expect from the French Wine Discoveries 2020 tasting on January 21, and the opportunities for French producers in a post-Brexit Britain

French strikes damaging for Paris on-trade, says leading Champagne brand

Published: 13 December, 2019

The ongoing nationwide French strikes, combined with declining tourist numbers, are causing misery for Paris' restaurant and bar sector, according to Champagne Palmer's communication manager Francois Demouy.