Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bibendum counteracts the “vanilla” effect of the Conviviality machine

Published: 13 March, 2019

Bibendum PLB is back on top form after veering away from Conviviality’s “one-size fits all approach”, according to one of its top bosses.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

Luvian’s St Andrews' Archie McDiarmid blogs from Sauvignon Blanc Celebration in Marlborough

Published: 12 February, 2019

The major focus of the final day of Sauvignon 2019 was ‘Pursuit’ – both of new customers and of new styles – as New Zealand looks to broaden the appeal of its hero grape without losing the affection of the millions of customers worldwide who have super-charged the country’s remarkable growth as a winegrowing power.

Citrus best for Sauvignon Blanc say consumers

Published: 30 January, 2019

A citrusy Sauvignon Blanc is the UK’s favourite, according to a new report.

Luvian’s St Andrews' Archie McDiarmid blogs from Sauvignon Blanc Celebration in Marlborough

Published: 29 January, 2019

Haere Mai, as they say in Marlborough, and welcome to Sauvignon 2019, the world’s biggest celebration of – arguably - the most popular and least well-understood grape variety around.

NZ 200th anniversary focus turns to regionality after bumper UK year

Published: 17 January, 2019

The annual New Zealand trade tasting pushed a new focus on regionality at this year’s London event on 16 January, with the aim of furthering understanding of the country’s diversity of wine styles with restaurants and independent merchants.

Babydoll gears up for UK push

Published: 14 January, 2019

Babydoll wines from New Zealand, part of Yealands Estate, is gearing up to increase its UK presence with a new campaign and its first appearance at the annual ‘Flavours of New Zealand’ tasting taking place this week.

New Zealand's evolving vinous landscape

Published: 10 January, 2019

New Zealand’s wine scene has come a long way since its inception in the 1970s. Jamie Goode meets the personalities driving change in leading region Marlborough

New Zealand reports hike in UK sales

Published: 03 December, 2018

New Zealand Winegrowers has reported a hike in value and volume sales in the UK off-trade.

Graham Norton’s latest vintage hits 3 million bottles

Published: 06 August, 2018

Talk show host turned winemaker Graham Norton has siginifcantly ramped up production this year, while also adding his first Prosecco to the mix.

Kiwi winegrowers predict ‘modest’ export growth in spite of good harvest

Published: 25 June, 2018

New Zealand winegrowers are predicting only modest export growth for the coming year in spite of a 6% surge in grape production.

Tim Atkin MW: Where wines really come from doesn’t matter to many

Published: 01 June, 2018

I’ve never been to the Phantom River in New Zealand’s South Island, but a quick search online shows that it rises in the Ben McLeod Range and joins the Orari River close to Peel Forest. With its echoes of nature, mystery and the gold rush, it’s a wonderful name for a Sauvignon Blanc brand. Punters clearly think so too, as Phantom River is currently selling several million bottles at £5 in Sainsbury’s.

Harpers Wine Stars Awards 2018: South Africa and New Zealand

Published: 11 May, 2018

Two quite different countries, with quite different strengths and selling points featured in our latest Wine Stars judging session at The Worx in London’s leafy Parsons Green.

Buckingham Schenk to distribute te Pā Family Vineyards

Published: 10 April, 2018

Buckingham Schenk has been appointed exclusive UK agent for Maori wine business te Pā Family Vineyards.

Zonin eyes new winemaking territories as Chilean portfolio roll out continues

Published: 21 March, 2018

Buoyed by its recent foray into Chilean production, Italian producer Zonin 1821 has revealed ambitions for further winemaking ventures beyond its homeland, with New Zealand and even the UK cited as potential countries of interest.

Conviviality brings Leefield Station to the UK

Published: 07 March, 2018

Conviviality has teamed up with winemaker Brent Marris to bring Leefield Station Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris to the UK for the first time.

Harpers Wine Stars Awards: calling final entries for South Africa, New Zealand and England

Published: 01 March, 2018

Would you like your wines to feature among the Stars? Then don’t miss the 17 March entry submission deadline for our South Africa, New Zealand and England Wine Stars Awards (see below).

New Zealand premium exports hit a high note in the US and UK

Published: 26 February, 2018

New Zealand’s reputition as a top producer of quality wines continue to rise in the UK and across the world, as it is named the third biggest wine importer in value to the US.