South Africa makes U-turn and bans wine exports

The South African government has banned exports of wine and spirits during lockdown.

Coronavirus could kickstart "radical change in stagnant" wine trade, tech entrepreneur predicts

The coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis could kickstart radical change in the wine trade, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur has predicted.

Premium drinking habits in the firing line amid economic shutdown

The ‘less but better’ mantra adopted by the trade over the past decade could be facing an existential threat, an industry expert has warned, as the coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic hits the reset button on drinking habits.

Friday Read: UK wineries battle coronavirus crisis with British determination

Rapidly slowing exports, a pivoting to direct to consumer sales as on-trade sales stall and vineyards on lock down – such is the picture of the UK wine industry today as it grapples with the ongoing disruption from the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Virtual Happy Hour leads on-trade support initiatives

A new ‘at home tasting’ initiative is looking to support the hospitality industry by encouraging the public to drink at home as if they were at their favourite bars and pubs.

Coronavirus: Supplier responses to the Chancellor’s support measures

As the extraordinary complexity of the current situation fully sinks in, Andrew Catchpole discovers how those supplying the on-trade have reacted to the Chancellor’s support measures for businesses.

Chris Losh: averting an on-trade apocalypse

This was the week that the Coronavirus got real. Ten days ago in the UK Covid-19 was largely the source of ironic fist-bumps and the odd cancelled tasting. Dying and panicking was what other people did. With a complacency that now seems barely credible, the government’s message at the end of February was, broadly, ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.

Coronavirus: Don’t leave pubs and bars in “limbo”

The industry is galvanising its voices to urge the Prime Minister to take decisive action at this afternoon’s coronavirus briefing after pubs, bars and restaurants are left in “limbo” just as the outbreak looks set to take hold in the UK.

Nyetimber and Plumpton join forces to develop winemakers of the future

Nyetimber is looking to help develop the next generation of wine industry leaders via a new placement scheme in conjunction with Plumpton College’s wine division.

NZ research winery to open

The Bragato Research Institute (BRI), New Zealand winegrowers’s new research winery, is to open on 27 February.

FSA releases stark warning to CBD producers targeting pregnant women and vulnerable people

The Food Standards Authority (FSA) has broken its silence on CBD to issue a statement urging businesses to be upfront about potential health risks and suitability for vulnerable groups.

Drinks trade ranks poorly on new sustainability index

The drinks industry is lagging behind other business sectors in its approach to sustainability, according to a new report published today.

NZ tasting: alternative styles playing expanding role in export growth

Rosé, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are among a slew of ‘alternative’ varieties and styles notching up a greater share of New Zealand’s collective wine exports, as “international appetite grows to expand the range”.

Friday Read: The Wild West of cannabis law

Look at any predictions for 2020 and beyond, and odds are that you will see the word ‘cannabis’. Looking back to 2019, a few key things set the tone for the next decade. Constellation Brands led the charge for the gold rush by buying an ever-bigger stake in Canadian cannabis producer Canopy Growth, with other companies clambering to get a piece of what has been called the next .com bubble.

BIVB becomes WSET patron

Educator to the wine industry, The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), has new backing in the form of Burgundy’s official wine board.

London restaurateurs call for wine duty cut

Spotlight on 2020: Simon Doyle, Concha y Toro UK

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

“It’s still a man’s world” say bartenders promoting sisterhood at all-female takeover

The opportunities for women to reach the pinnacle of their careers in the hospitality industry was one of the hot topics at a recent event at The Artesian bar, which shone a well-deserved light on the talent of the female bartenders working in the industry today.

Government backs down on VI-1 forms

The government has agreed to temporarily suspend the introduction of forms which were feared to create an extra layer of red tape for the wine industry in what is shaping up to be an increasingly disorderly Brexit.

Portman Group welcomes steep decline in drink-drive deaths

The number of deaths from drink-driving has fallen around the world, according to the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking.