News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Longest serving MW passes away

Published: 28 September, 2022

David Burns has passed away, after a long and varied career in the wine trade, also having been the youngest and oldest to hold the coveted MW title.

Theatre of Wine celebrates hitting 20

Published: 28 September, 2022

London’s Theatre of Wine has turned 20, marking two decades since founder Daniel Illsley founded the merchant in Greenwich following the new wave of wine interest created by Oddbins and Majestic.

Drinks hold out over food in cost-of-living crisis

Published: 28 September, 2022

On-trade drinking occasions are holding up despite the cost-of-living crisis, according to drinks insights agency, Proof Insight.

Global Conference on Wine Tourism focuses on sustainability and ancillary benefits

Published: 26 September, 2022

As the world's wine tourism sector rights itself in the wake of the climate crisis, Covid, and political conflicts, last week's 6th United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) Global Conference on Wine Tourism found 30 speakers from around the world focused upon innovations of Sustainability, Creativity, and Communication. Hosted by Maddalena Fossati, director of Italy's Conde Nast Traveller and La Cucina Italiana, it drew over 300 participants to Alba mostly from throughout Europe with a simple majority hailing from Italy.

Nyetimber predicts record-breaking UK sparkling crop in 2022

Published: 26 September, 2022

Sparkling wine brand Nyetimber is poised to harvest a record area of vines – 325 hectares – to produce well over one million bottles of fizz from vintage 2022.

Burgundy optimistic about 2022 vintage, despite August heatwave

Published: 26 September, 2022

Early indications suggest that Burgundy will produce a good volume of high-quality wine from the 2022 vintage, exceeding initial expectations.

Freeze on alcohol duty in mini-budget

Published: 23 September, 2022

Planned increases in alcohol duty have been ditched by new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in his mini-budget, as unveiled on 23 September.

Master of Malt releases trends report with rum and tequila on the rise

Published: 23 September, 2022

Master of Malt, the online spirits retailer, has released its Q3 report, providing a valuable snapshot into the state of the drinks industry.

English Sparkling Wine pioneer Ridgeview achieves B Corp certification

Published: 23 September, 2022

Ridgeview, the Sussex-based sparkling wine producer, has achieved B Corp accreditation following a rigorous application process.

Naked Wines brushes off CEO woes for first standalone tasting

Published: 22 September, 2022

It was a marriage of convenience. Naked Wines needed the cash injection. Majestic needed the online know-how in order to expand its digital footprint. After the pair’s relatively amicable breakup in 2019, Naked Wines is now very much looking to re-establish itself as a solo entity with a serious portfolio that can engage even the most sceptical wine lovers.

SITT reveals continued UK appetite for adventurous wines

Published: 22 September, 2022

The UK trade’s embrace of new and off-piste wines shows no sign of abating, despite challenging circumstances in the wider economy.

Big Issue and C&C join forces in recruitment initiative

Published: 22 September, 2022

Leading drinks manufacturer and distributor C&C Group is embarking on a new, three-year partnership with the Big Issue Group to support the communities it serves across the UK and Ireland, aiming to change lives through enterprise.

Fermentation underway in Champagne for “solar” 2022 vintage

Published: 22 September, 2022

Comité Champagne, the trade association representing the interests of Champagne growers and houses, has published an update on its “solar” 2022 vintage.

Bodega Argento adds three new organic listings to on-trade portfolio

Published: 21 September, 2022

Bodega Argento has added a trio of premium organic Argentinian wines to its existing on-trade range with UK distribution partner Bibendum.

Business energy bills capped by government relief scheme

Published: 21 September, 2022

The government has announced a new energy relief scheme that will reduce energy bills for businesses by 50% of expected levels.

Liquid Icons announces recipients of 2022 diversity scholarships

Published: 20 September, 2022

Liquid Icons, the fine wine company founded by the late Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and his friend Lewis Chester DipWSET, have announced the recipients of The 2022 Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships.

30th vintage of Casa Real released on La Place de Bordeaux

Published: 20 September, 2022

Chilean winery Viña Santa Rita has released its 2019 Casa Real vintage on the La Place de Bordeaux marketplace.

Hospitality insolvencies jump 59%

Published: 20 September, 2022

The latest insolvency figures show just how hard the hospitality industry has been affected by the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy bills, with pubs, bars and restaurants some of the worst hit among UK businesses.