Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spirited Wines to roll out cheese deli concept

Published: 07 December, 2012

Spirited Wines has launched a cheese deli counter at 11 of its stores and is hoping to roll the concept out across the estate once trials are complete.

English sparkling wine sales soar in the run-up to Christmas

Published: 05 December, 2012

Corks are popping for English sparkling wine sales in the run up to Christmas.

Saint-Chinian AOC focuses on UK market

Published: 29 November, 2012

The southern French appellation of Saint-Chinian in the Languedoc is stepping up its activity in the UK market next year.

Booths to move away from promo-led deals

Published: 23 November, 2012

Booths is to move away from promotionally-led offers in 2013 to give its wine and spirits offering a more independent feel, according to its wines and spirits buyer Andy Green.

João Portugal Ramos releases exclusive wines

Published: 22 November, 2012

Portuguese producer João Portugal Ramos has launched a premium Albariño, to be stocked exclusively by Marks & Spencer, and a red called F'OZ, to be stocked by Waitrose.

Supermarkets see sales slowdown ahead of Christmas

Published: 22 November, 2012

Supermarket sales of beers, wines and spirits remain flat, reflecting what retail analysts believe is the cautious mood among consumers ahead of December and the festive period.

BWS figures remain flat heading in to festive period

Published: 22 November, 2012

Supermarket sales of beers, wines and spirits remain flat reflecting what retail analysts believe is the cautious mood amongst consumers ahead of December and the festive period.

Own-label wine sales flat

Published: 19 November, 2012

Despite huge investment in own-label wines by the major retailers, volumes are flat across the trade in the past year.

Trade celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau day without the 'Nouveau'

Published: 15 November, 2012

This year's Beaujolais Thursday may be marked with a host of trade events - but few of are actually marketing or serving traditional Beaujolais Nouveau.

Roberson Wine launches wine club

Published: 13 November, 2012

Roberson Wine has launched its new wine club ahead of the Christmas period that offers first hand access to members of its best wines and other benefits.

Waitrose's Diana Hunter appointed to head up Bargain Booze

Published: 12 November, 2012

Off-licence and convenience store chain Bargain Booze has appointed Waitrose's director of convenience, Diana Hunter, as its new chief executive.

Vodka Emporium opens door to first retail store

Published: 07 November, 2012

Online drinks specialist Vodka Emporium has opened its first retail store in Colchester in partnership with indie wine merchant The Wine Company.

Morrisons online wine store goes live

Published: 07 November, 2012

Morrisons Cellar, the supermarket's online wine store which aims to boost its wine sales by £100 million, has gone live.

Distell launches new sparkler in UK

Published: 06 November, 2012

Distell is hoping to cash in on consumer demand for lower-alcohol wines with its new sparkling white.

Languedoc's white wines growing in popularity in UK

Published: 06 November, 2012

Renowned for its red wines, the Languedoc is seeing an increase in demand from UK buyers for its "fashionable" whites.

CIVL buyers' trip: Ana Sapungiu

Published: 05 November, 2012

Encouraging new UK listings of Languedoc wines was the aim behind the recent CIVL study tour to the region, organised in conjunction with Harpers.

Virgin Wines on expansion drive

Published: 02 November, 2012

Virgin Wines is on a mission to recruit 100,000 customers in the next year in a bid to swell its 250,000-strong membership even further.

Harvest shortage: producers urged to rein in prices

Published: 02 November, 2012

Distributors are urging producers to be true to long-term partnerships and not be "too greedy" when it comes to putting prices up, as the impact of 2012's short harvest is felt.

Mike Stoddart: How daft do we think consumers are??

Published: 31 October, 2012

There's been much discussion lately about "de-mystifying" wine; does the traditional wine vocabulary still have any great relevance, or does it merely obfuscate and deter people from the specialist shops; or was it all rather vague in the first place?

Tesco lists Midori in run-up to Christmas

Published: 31 October, 2012

Cellar Trends-distributed liqueur brand Midori is to be listed in 446 Tesco stores in the run-up to Christmas, on the back of growth in the take-home cocktail market.