Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Local heroes abroad: GB wine exports rise

Published: 08 May, 2019

English and Welsh wines are on a real roll, and not just at home. Exports are expected to rise significantly over the next few years, reports Lisa Riley

Food and drink exports growth slows to crawl but gin and whisky fly the flag

Published: 25 March, 2019

Overall UK food and drinks exports slowed to a crawl in 2018, but gin and whisky continued to fly the flag – each growing in both value and volume.

Sales of English and Welsh wine double in 2018

Published: 06 March, 2019

The English and Welsh wine industry produced a record-breaking amount of wine last year thanks to a frost-free spring and a long, mostly dry summer.

WineGB celebrates ‘turning point’ on back of record 2018 vintage

Published: 01 February, 2019

The gathering momentum of the English and Welsh wine industry was much in evidence on Thursday night at a packed gala dinner at London’s Vintners’ Hall.

HMRC now issuing two new distilling licences a week as gin continues to soar

Published: 18 January, 2019

Those expecting to see gin fall from its pedestal will have to wait a little longer.

Cognac reports record export growth

Published: 15 January, 2019

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) has reported record export growth for Cognac across both value and volume.

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.

Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective launch lays down gauntlet to UK and US buyers

Published: 13 September, 2018

Be prepared to pay more or risk losing top Stellenbosch Cabernets to the Asian market was one of the messages to UK and US buyers at the launch of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective at Cape Wine 2018.

Repositioning South Africa

Published: 28 August, 2018

Celebrated by critics but crippled by drought and low returns, South Africa rarely has an easy ride.

Few in the trade could have missed the ongoing challenges facing South Africa’s wine producers as the worst drought in 100 years continues to afflict the Cape. With the 2018 crop predicted to be down by 15% after two years of water shortage that almost saw Cape Town meet “day zero” and turn off its domestic supply, the harvest has been described by Bibendum’s South Africa buyer, Paul Meihuizen, as “the most challenging I have ever known”.

Cognac sets new export record

Published: 14 August, 2018

Cognac exports have achieved their fourth consecutive year of growth, driven by continued thirst for the historic French brandy in the US.

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.

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?

Onwards and upwards

Published: 16 May, 2018

Brexit and political tussling over the UK’s place in the world is taking place alongside the growing global conversation around quality UK wines and spirits. Here we map the points where the two meet

Premium agenda at Sicilia en Primeur as bottled exports hit new high

Published: 08 May, 2018

Bottlings of Sicilian wine rose 123% in the first quarter of 2018 (vs Q1 2017), reflected in both an ongoing trend to more premium exports and a reduction in bulk sales following the short 2017 harvest.

Rioja unveils new global brand identity as part of €11m push

Published: 10 April, 2018

Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja has unveiled a new brand identity introducing a ‘Saber quién eres' global brand message for the region.

Alcohol boosts British food and drink exports

Published: 29 March, 2018

British drink and food exports are growing with alcohol, especially whisky, driving the market, research by GS1 UK has revealed.

Bordeaux pulls away from entry level as exports rise

Published: 16 March, 2018

2017 saw an increase in exports for Bordeaux to key markets such as UK, Germany and Belgium, with the US and China also on an upward trajectory, delivering significant growth in higher priced wines.

Rioja exports on the up boosted by the UK and white

Published: 12 March, 2018

Export sales of Rioja increased by 4.39% in 2017 compared to the previous year boosted by a strong UK performance, the Consejo Regulador of Rioja DOCa has revealed.

Sichel’s sales to China surge by 15%

Published: 02 February, 2018

Bordeaux winemaker Sichel’s exports to China surged 15% in 2017 as Chinese demand for French wine continues to explode.

Asia’s thirst for Australia drives AU$2.56bn export high, but UK and USA dip

Published: 24 January, 2018

The most recent export figures from Wine Australia, released at the busy Australia Day Tasting (ADT) in London on 23 January, revealed that Australian wine exports to mainland China continue to boom in the wake of the 2015 free trade agreement between the two countries.