Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Champagne: Weathering the storm

Published: 20 April, 2020

With little to celebrate, it’s unlikely consumers will be reaching for the Champagne any time soon, but the category has weathered storms before, says Chris Losh.

Washington State reaffirms commitment to UK

Published: 11 March, 2020

Despite a wave of cancelled trade events elsewhere, Washington State went ahead with its London tasting yesterday, with the message that the UK remains at the heart of its export focus.

Gonzalez Byass launches new UK Manzanilla

Published: 04 March, 2020

Gonzalez Byass is to release a new Domecq Manzanilla in the UK made at Delgado Zuleta in Andalucia’s Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Top Selection wins entire Duckhorn range

Published: 25 February, 2020

London-based wine merchant Top Selection is to distribute the whole portfolio of US producer Duckhorn in the UK.

CIVB launches Hot 50 Bordeaux 2020 promotion

Published: 29 January, 2020

Vins de Bordeaux has announced a new initiative to promote Bordeaux wines in the UK market.

Hazel Murphy remembered as champion of Australian wine

Published: 02 January, 2020

The trade awoke to a new year with the sad news that Hazel Murphy AM had passed away on 1 January.

Bourgogne Week to swing focus onto Régionale value from ‘dream’ vintage

Published: 06 December, 2019

The annual Bourgogne Week in London, running from 7-16 January, will see producers and negociants emphasising the value of Régionale AOC wines off the back of the generally acclaimed and big volume 2018 vintage.

Sherry and the pacemakers

Published: 28 October, 2019

Young drinkers have shunned Sherry for years, writes Andrew Catchpole. But premium styles are winning them over.

Brandies: unleashing a spirit of adventure

Published: 04 October, 2019

Grape spirits really don’t get a fair deal in UK bars, where even Cognac and Armagnac rarely receive the shelf space or cocktail list presence their global reputations deserve. Grapes are grown and distilled in dozens of other places around the world, but those brandies are largely overlooked as well.

‘Seriously jammy’ proposition helps drive premium Accolade growth

Published: 24 September, 2019

Accolade Wines has reported “significant growth” for its mainstream premium brands, positioned at £6 to £10 in the UK market.

Journey’s End sets sights on number one premium slot in UK

Published: 16 September, 2019

South African estate Journey’s End has ambitious plans to become the leading premium South African label in the UK and to do so via the traditionally tough to crack on-trade.

Bacardi and Brown-Forman end longstanding UK sales partnership

Published: 01 August, 2019

Bacardi and Brown-Forman are to end their UK collaboration, the companies have revealed.

Spain's brave new world

Published: 23 July, 2019

The sense of discovery offered by Spain still has some way to run, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

That Spain has been on a roll over the past decade in terms of generating excitement is inarguable. Reworked, emerging and new regions have been pumping out the vinous equivalent of fireworks, delighting and engaging both critics and trade.

Armit Wines sees sales leap 15% in three months

Published: 19 July, 2019

Armit Wines has reported a 15% rise in sales between April and June this year ahead of its full results which will be published in October.

Boisset research identifies ‘big opportunity’ for Crémant in UK

Published: 17 July, 2019

Crémant is ideally placed to bridge the gulf between Prosecco and premium priced English sparkling wine and Champagne, offering mid-market value to continue to drive the growth of sparkling wine in the UK.

Price rises ‘essential’ if South Africa industry to survive, warns leading producer

Published: 17 May, 2019

A leading figure in South African wine has issued a stark warning about the industry's future.

Risky business in Rioja

Published: 15 April, 2019

Rioja’s new single-vineyard classification signals the region’s desire to go after greater premium market share. The big question is, will it succeed?

Soave puts spring in step with summer campaign

Published: 07 March, 2019

Soave is ramping up its UK focus, targeting independents and restaurants this summer with a #SummerofSoave campaign.

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.