Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sterling hits highs - Australian and NZ dollars hit lows

Published: 09 May, 2012

Sterling strengthened to fresh highs against the commodity backed currencies as risk aversion drove the market.

Peter Lehmann Wines switches distribution to Hallgarten

Published: 01 May, 2012

Australia's Peter Lehmann Wines have switched distribution from Enotria to Hallgarten Druitt.

Australian winemakers to march on parliament

Published: 30 April, 2012

Hunter Valley winemakers are leading a march on parliament in Sydney against government plans to allow coal seam gas exploration, which could threaten vine growing land.

No Australia Day Tasting in 2013

Published: 20 April, 2012

Wine Australia is ditching its annual trade tasting in 2013, and will now hold the event once every two years.

Wine Australia changes to pay as you go funding model

Published: 18 April, 2012

Wine Australia is changing its generic marketing activity on offer to a user pays format - the body argues it will give it a "neutral position" and allow it to be "more agile".

Neil McGuigan: Consumers need education that 'less is more' on flavour

Published: 27 March, 2012

Consumers need to be educated that 'less is more' when it comes to trading up, according to Australian Vintage boss Neil McGuigan.

Guala buys Australian screwcap maker

Published: 20 February, 2012

Guala Closures is continuing its buying spree - which has seen it acquire five firms within the last 18 months - with the purchase of Australian screwcap manufacturer ASA.

Treasury Wine reports solid half year growth

Published: 17 February, 2012

Despite falling volumes and a drop in sales revenue, Treasury Wine Estates has reported solid growth in earnings in its half year results.

Penfolds: one of Australia's most-desired brands

Published: 06 February, 2012

Iconic Australian brand Penfolds dominated the Australian secondary wine market last year - securing 70 places in the top 100.

Tim Wildman MW: Australia in the Goldilocks Zone

Published: 03 February, 2012

In a bright, white gallery space on The Kings Road in Chelsea the annual Australia Day Wine Tasting took place last week. Amid the slurping and spitting, tasters who listened very carefully may have detected a rumbling; deep, subterranean, underground. It could have been a tube train passing below, or a low flying plane overhead. But it was neither of these. The rumbling you may have heard, over the clatter of bottles of Chardonnay and Shiraz, is the sound made as the tectonic plates of the Great Australian Wine Industry shift and rearrange themselves for the first time in a generation.

Berkmann's revamps Australian wine portfolio

Published: 01 February, 2012

Berkmann Wine Cellars has revamped its Australian agency portfolio, having replaced 85% of the current lines.

Australian Vintage to launch 5.5% abv Vinni

Published: 30 January, 2012

Australian Vintage is entering the lower-alcohol market with the launch of 5.5% abv Vinni, targeting 18 to 25 year-olds.

Oxford triumphs in University Wine Championship

Published: 30 January, 2012

As Oxford University scoops the award for Wine Australia's University Wine Champion initiative, the generic body looks to expand the initiative into 2013.

Country reports: Australia

Published: 27 January, 2012

For my money, Australia remains the most diverse and exciting wine producer in the southern hemisphere...

Wine writer Matthew Jukes wins top Australian award

Published: 23 January, 2012

Wine journalist Matthew Jukes has been crowned Honorary Australian of the Year for his contribution to the Australian wine industry.

Julian Dyer to join Australian Vintage

Published: 20 January, 2012

Julian Dyer, senior wine buyer at Sainsbury's is leaving to join Australian Vintage.

Australian Vintage recruits Sainsbury's Julian Dyer

Published: 20 January, 2012

Australian Vintage is beefing up its off-trade team with the recruitment of Sainsbury's senior wine buyer, Julian Dyer.

Slurp to use 'SlurpVision' as major sales platform

Published: 18 January, 2012

Online retailer Slurp is celebrating its 'SlurpVision' video channel passing its 100 tasting video mark and its emergence as a major platform supporting online sales.