News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

What to expect from this year's London Wine Fair

Published: 01 June, 2022

Back with a bang, the UK’s premier wine event has evolved into an exciting hybrid hub for the trade.

Nominations now open for 50 Best Indies 2022

Published: 31 May, 2022

To begin the process of shaping our annual Harpers 50 Best Indies Awards 2022, we are once again inviting the UK trade to nominate the UK Independent retailers that you believe are at the top of their game.

Fizz and cocktails set to pop this Jubilee weekend as the less-but-better trend continues

Published: 31 May, 2022

Brits drink less alcohol than they did during the past two Jubilee celebrations – a trend which is likely to carry over this weekend as party planners fill shelves and ice boxes. However, wine and spirits have a greater share of that pie, as the two categories steal a march from the once all-powerful beer category.

Harpers Exclusive: The Wines Direct Consumer Award winners 2022

Published: 30 May, 2022

Now in its fourth year, Harpers can exclusively reveal the 2022 Wine Direct Awards results.

Sandridge Barton pushes for Dart Valley appellation

Published: 30 May, 2022

Its ageworthy Pinot Noir and outstanding new experimental releases have put Devon on the map of English wine. But now, Sandridge Barton, a still wine specialist, has a wider goal: the creation of a Dart Valley appellation.

Ruinart Sommelier Challenge open for entries

Published: 30 May, 2022

The UK edition of the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge is back and open for entries after a year’s forced hiatus due to Covid-19.

Business support lags behind in cost-of-living crisis

Published: 27 May, 2022

A £15bn package aimed at helping households deal with inflation and the rising cost of energy bills comes just one day after the Sue Gray report was published – a move that has prompted critics to question the rationale and timing of the sudden windfall for British consumers. Also, they ask, where is the support for business?

NabLab: Europe’s first no & low alcohol trade fair announced for 2023

Published: 27 May, 2022

Drinks platform NabLab has recently announced that it will host the first major European trade event dedicated to no and low alcohol beverages.

Great British Drinks to take centre stage at LWF

Published: 27 May, 2022

The 40th London Wine Fair is almost upon us, with the biggest ever selection of British beers, wines and spirits set to be unveiled at the event.

Green Wine Future 2022: Wineally hosts the world’s largest wine conference

Published: 26 May, 2022

Green Wine Future 2022 by Wineally was four days of presentations and content focusing on the various challenges the wine business faces today concerning sustainable agriculture, global climate change, water conservation, corporate responsibility, greenwashing, and much more.

Nominations close as Top 25 Sommelier shortlist preparations begin

Published: 26 May, 2022

With the on-trade bouncing back there’s little doubt about the enthusiasm for and calibre of the UK’s sommelier fraternity if the ample nominations for Harpers Top 25 Sommeliers are anything to go by.

Class Bar Awards reveal an industry in resurgence

Published: 25 May, 2022

Several recent additions to the UK's dynamic bar scene were awarded gongs at the Class Bar Awards last night (24 May), organised by Harpers Wine & Spirits sister publication Class magazine.

Co-founder of sommelier-backed canned wine brand claims “bottles are the past”

Published: 25 May, 2022

A new range of canned wines launched this week (23 May), under the brand name Djuce.

Italian market report highlights country's pandemic performance

Published: 25 May, 2022

A new market survey released by Italian investment bank Mediobanca suggests that sparkling wine and e-commerce were the main beneficiaries of pandemic disruption in 2021, while Italy's beleaguered hospitality industry is in recovery.

Rioja Wine Academy invites UK trade to complete training qualification

Published: 25 May, 2022

The Rioja Wine Academy is welcoming new applicants to its Certified Educator programme, a free online educational course developed by the Rioja Consejo Regulador.

Vergelegen Estate appoints winemaker Luke O'Cuinneagain

Published: 24 May, 2022

Vergelegen wine estate, one of South Africa’s premier wine producers, has announced the appointment of its new winemaker.

'Act for Change' Symposium Programme revealed

Published: 24 May, 2022

As part of Bordeaux Wine Week, Vinexposium will be organising the Symposium ‘Act for Change’ on 20 and 21 June at the Cité du Vin. The series of debates will aim to understand, discuss and decipher the industry’s future and reflect upon sustainable solutions.

Nusrat Ghani MP announced as new co-chair of Wine and Spirit APPG

Published: 23 May, 2022

Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has taken up her new role as co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Wine and Spirits following the Group’s recent AGM.

Miles Beale speaks out against the government’s £300m tax increase on wine

Published: 23 May, 2022

As the latest Wine Drinkers UK communique suggests, taxing alcohol is set to cost the wine industry an estimated £300 million and push up prices for UK consumers, without bringing any significant boost to Treasury funds.

UK Hospitality sets out its vision to support government’s Levelling Up agenda

Published: 23 May, 2022

A new report from UKHospitality, Level up hospitality – level up society, highlights how the sector is uniquely positioned to deliver growth and opportunity across the country and play its part in delivering the government’s and society’s priorities, by generating jobs and economic growth.