Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSET launches programme for ‘management-level’ wine professionals

Published: 21 March, 2023

WSET (the Wine & Spirit Education Trust) has announced the launch of its new Impact in Wine leadership programme.

Gérard Basset Foundation publishes two year Impact Report

Published: 11 January, 2023

The trustees of the Gérard Basset Foundation have released an impact assessment report, detailing the work undertaken by the charity and its performance results over the past two years.

BAME Wine Professionals announce winners of Louis Roederer Bursary

Published: 18 November, 2022

BAME Wine Professionals, the not-for-profit initiative that shines a light on wine talent in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, has revealed the winners of its annual Champagne Louis Roederer Bursary.

The sommelier work shift

Published: 10 November, 2022

Chefs used to steal all the limelight in restaurants, leaving front-of-house in the shadows, except for a few exalted characters who managed to gain notoriety across the trade. The rise of the superstar sommelier, however, shifted more focus to the service side, with films and documentaries adding to the allure of the wine gurus fronting the drinks offer that complements the food.

Louis Jadot offers training and support package for indie merchants

Published: 25 October, 2022

As part of a Drinks Trust initiative, Louis Jadot will sponsor 20 places for independent merchants on WSET Level 1 courses, it has been revealed.

Liquid Icons & Gérard Basset Foundation announce recipient of inaugural diversity scholarship in spirits

Published: 05 October, 2022

Liquid Icons, the fine wine research and content production company founded by the late Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET, have announced the recipient of the inaugural Hennessy Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship in Spirits.

WSET to hold first virtual open house for prospective students

Published: 13 September, 2022

WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) is to hold its first ‘virtual open house’ event on 19-20 October 2022 as part of an ongoing drive to raise awareness of its qualifications within the global drinks trade.

Nyetimber hosts winemaking days for WSET and Plumpton students

Published: 27 July, 2022

Nyetimber, the English sparkling winemaker, recently hosted its first educational days at its West Sussex estate for students at Plumpton College and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

Harpers' 30 Under 30 winners announced

Published: 06 June, 2022

What a couple of years the trade has had. What ups and downs. During the worst months of Covid, we’re sure there are some who felt a bit like Midas’s barber in the ancient tales. Forced under pain of death to keep his master’s secret – that the former Greek king was hiding a pair of donkey’s ears beneath his hat – the unfortunate barber was only able to vent by taking himself to a bed of reeds and screaming that the king had, indeed, become part-ass.

Wet stones and other WSET befuddlements

Published: 20 May, 2022

As a Senior Reporter for Harpers, I am required to know a thing or two about wine. This was made clear when I was appointed three months ago, after three years of working as a general news reporter for numerous titles.

Outgoing WSET CEO Ian Harris bids farewell at annual graduation and awards ceremony

Published: 12 April, 2022

Last night the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) staged its annual Graduation & Awards Ceremony at the Guildhall in the City of London. Having held a virtual ceremony in 2021, WSET returned to the Guildhall with a hybrid event this year. It was WSET’s most inclusive graduation ceremony to date, with 70% of the year’s graduates from around the globe attending either virtually or in person.

Hennessy Partners with Golden Vines for diversity scholarship

Published: 11 April, 2022

Hennessy, the leading Cognac Maison and the premium spirits brand leader (#1 in value worldwide in 2021), is proud to support the newly introduced Hennessy Golden Vines Diversity Scholarship in Spirits in partnership with the Gérard Basset Foundation and Liquid Icons.

New Zealand Winegrowers launch 'Wine Trade Hub' as part of NZ Wine Week

Published: 07 February, 2022

As the second digital edition of the New Zealand Wine Week gets under way, NZ Winegrowers has launched a new educational tool – the New Zealand Wine Trade Hub.

Gérard Basset Foundation to fund diversity and inclusivity projects worldwide

Published: 10 January, 2022

The Trustees of the Gérard Basset Foundation have announced their intention to award grants to 14 institutional and community partners worldwide, designed to enhance inclusivity across the global wine and hospitality industries.

WSET returns to mainland China

Published: 05 January, 2022

After almost 12 months of suspending its educational activities in China, the WSET confirmed today (January 5) that it has received state approval to resume teaching.

Louis Roederer BAME Educational Bursary recipients announced

Published: 15 December, 2021

BAME Wine Professionals, the diversity-promoting website created by Mags Janjo and

Worshipful Company of Distillers launches educational programme

Published: 01 December, 2021

The Worshipful Company of Distillers (WCD) has launched an educational programme aimed at sharing its commercial and marketing knowledge with young distillers.

Majestic reveals the trends to watch this Christmas

Published: 12 November, 2021

Sparkling wine and Champagne, Beaujolais, Rosé, bag-in-box and wines from South Africa are tipped to be some of the top sellers this Christmas, Majestic Wines has predicted.

WSET education initiative to support indigenous students

Published: 09 November, 2021

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has launched a new initiative, as part of its diversity and inclusion programme, to help support indigenous students develop careers in the Australian drinks industry.

The Drinks Trust launches industry survey in the wake of the pandemic

Published: 04 November, 2021

The Drinks Trust has launched a new survey for 2021, which is seeking to establish how members of the hospitality and drinks industry are feeling in the wake of the Covid pandemic.