Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wines from Spain annual tasting postponed

Published: 13 March, 2020

Wines from Spain has announced that it will postpone its annual tasting. The event, planned to take place at Sky Garden on March 31 will be moved to a later date.

Subscriber offer: 40% off Classic Wine Library books

Published: 13 March, 2020

Until the end of March, Harpers subscribers can get 40% off all books in The Classic Wine Library by visiting http://bit.ly/BuyClassics and using the code CWLHARP40 at checkout (postage is free within the UK, other postage rates vary). Customers in the US and Canada can use the same code at http://bit.ly/BuyClassicsUS.

Hattingley Valley releases first still wines

Published: 05 March, 2020

Hattingley Valley is officially broadening its stable of wines beyond sparkling with two new still wines soon to be released as part of a stand-alone range.

Nekter picks up Matthiasson Family agency

Published: 03 March, 2020

Californian producer Matthiasson Family Vineyards has appointed Nekter Wine Importers as its UK agency.

NZ targets indie retailers with Pinot promotion

Published: 02 March, 2020

New Zealand Winegrowers is to run a promotion for the UK and Ireland’s independent retailers offering three winners the chance to win a trip to Pinot Noir 2021.

McGuigan launches premium red blend range in UK

Published: 26 February, 2020

Australia’s McGuigan Wines has unveiled a new premium range of wines in the UK.

Top Argentine winery launches in UK

Published: 21 February, 2020

Leading Argentine winery Bodega Estancia Mendoza has launched its wines into the UK market.

Cheltenham partners with Accolade on premium offer

Published: 21 February, 2020

Wines from Fine Wine Partners, a division of Accolade Wines, will feature in an exclusive area at The Cheltenham Festival as part of a new arrangement.

Soapbox: Nik Darlington on Brexit hubris

Published: 19 February, 2020

Our second entry in a series of topical viewpoints from the trade finds Graft Wines co-owner Nik Darlington cautioning British producers against talking up the alleged benefits of exiting the EU

Cult Wines taps Buchmuller for lead buying role

Published: 11 February, 2020

Fine wine investment business Cult Wines has hired Hubert Buchmuller from AXA Millésimes to head up its purchasing team.

Georgian wines up 60% in UK

Published: 11 February, 2020

The National Wine Agency of Georgia has announced a big push on its country’s wines for 2020 after exports rocketed 60% last year.

Bourgogne thriving in tough Hong Kong market

Published: 10 February, 2020

Wines from the Bourgogne region grew last year by both volume and value in the key Hong Kong market – even as French wine exports fell overall.

Southern hemisphere wines to receive post-Brexit boost

Published: 10 February, 2020

Wines from the southern hemisphere will thrive most in post-Brexit Britain, according to the latest Wine Trade Monitor from food-and-drink communications agency Sopexa.

Trump's tariffs provide bump for Italian wines

Published: 06 February, 2020

Wine tariffs introduced as part of a transatlantic dispute on aeronautics have provided something of a boost for Italy on the secondary market, with the value of the country’s top wines increasing by an average of 12.5% during 2019 on a leading UK platform.

Top Selection bags award-winning Tuscan producer

Published: 03 February, 2020

London-based wine merchant Top Selection is to be the exclusive distributor for Tuscan producer Villa Saletta.

Bibendum launches major Bordeaux service

Published: 03 February, 2020

Leading UK distributor Bibendum Wine has launched a new initiative to streamline the sale of fine wines from Bordeaux to the UK on- and off-trade.

CIVB launches Hot 50 Bordeaux 2020 promotion

Published: 29 January, 2020

Vins de Bordeaux has announced a new initiative to promote Bordeaux wines in the UK market.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The winemakers that changed the world…and those that made themselves redundant

Published: 24 January, 2020

Harpers columnist Jerry Lockspeiser is the former chairman of Off Piste Wines. Lockspeiser left at the end of 2019 after ten years at the company, which he helped to grow from ‘acorn to oak tree’ after joining back in 2010. His departure follows an investment in Off Piste just before Christmas, which will take the company into a new phase of development. Lockspeiser was also involved in the founding and building of Bottle Green in 1990 and organic wine specialist Vinceremos Wines in 1985. Here, he takes a reflective look back on 15 years that changed the wine world.

Feel Good Grapes: All you need to know about the new online retailer

Published: 23 January, 2020

UK-based wine businessman and writer Mike Turner has added a new string to his bow for 2020. As well as running Please Bring Me My Wine, a wine industry focused digital media consultancy, and co-owning Primrose Hill restaurant La Ferme, where he oversees the wine list and wine training, he has launched a new online wine merchant.

Trump trade truce puts US tariffs on French wine on hold

Published: 22 January, 2020

The USA’s threat of slapping 100% tariffs on US$2.4 billion worth of French imports including wine and Champagne seems to have been put on hold after the countries’ leaders announced a ceasefire on Twitter.