News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Chapel Down announces new cricket partnership

Published: 06 April, 2022

UK wine brand Chapel Down has been welcomed into the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as its official sparkling wine.

Global thirst for Champagne drives staggering new price highs

Published: 06 April, 2022

Champagne sales surpassed pre-pandemic levels last year, with over 320 million bottles shipped worldwide and the US overtaking the UK as Champagne’s top export market by volume.

Sixth-generation family pays tribute to rich legacy with launch of Corryton Burge wines

Published: 05 April, 2022

Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (ABS) has become the exclusive UK agents for Corryton Burge.

Full steam ahead for Harpers Loire Valley competition

Published: 04 April, 2022

Merchants across the UK continue to sign up to the Loire Valley Wines competition, organised in collaboration with Harpers and the region’s promotional body.

Virgin cans English fizz for Upper Class

Published: 04 April, 2022

One of the UK's leading airlines has joined forces with UK fizz brand, The Uncommon, to serve a range of canned sparkling wines in its premium cabins.

Gin and still wine lose momentum in post pandemic new normal

Published: 04 April, 2022

After enjoying a period of meteoric growth, the UK's favourite white spirit has hit a stumbling block, with a drop in hospitality market share in 2021.

Chile goes long on ‘personality’ at annual London tasting

Published: 01 April, 2022

If the annual Wines from Chile tasting yesterday (31 March) is a fair yardstick of where the country is at, then this is an industry now more Citroën DS than Volvo estate, with sometimes quirky but increasingly successful and captivating innovation to the fore.

ICEX appoints SOPEXA to run Foods and Wines From Spain marketing campaign in the UK

Published: 01 April, 2022

SOPEXA has been apointed to work alongside ICEX to promote Spain’s vibrant food and wine heritage, which has been revived by a young generation of producers and winemakers determined to showcase their modern take on century-old traditions to the British market.

Major prices hikes for wine drinkers, as VAT rises to 20% for the industry

Published: 01 April, 2022

In a sector facing soaring costs and plummeting consumer confidence, today’s increase in VAT gives operators a tough decision to make on price rises.

Less choice and higher prices from new import checks, says Daniel Lambert

Published: 01 April, 2022

Yesterday, the cross-party, cross-business UK Trade and Business Commission heard that post-Brexit import checks would create less choice and higher prices for UK wine consumers.

Hatch Mansfield and Louis Jadot support the on-trade with Bike to Care

Published: 31 March, 2022

In support of the challenging times faced by the on-trade, Hatch Mansfield and Maison Louis Jadot are standing – or cycling – shoulder to shoulder for the inaugural Bike to Care en Bourgogne.

Call out for Wine Unites for Ukraine charity auction

Published: 31 March, 2022

If a magnum of La Fiorita “Fiore di No War” 2016 Brunello de Montalcino appeals, or tickets to Simple Minds summer show, perhaps a stay at Quinta do Noval or a wine dinner with David Gleave MW at Luca, then these are just some of the incredible number of lots being offered at the Wine Unites for Ukraine auction from 1 to 3 April.

Portman Group takes a hard line on hard seltzers

Published: 31 March, 2022

The Portman Group today issued updated guidance to drinks companies on the fast-growing hard seltzer category, after research found there is low understanding among consumers that the drink is alcoholic.

Portuguese wine is perfectly poised for the on-trade, says Oz Clarke

Published: 30 March, 2022

Oz Clarke, the wine writer and presenter, waxed lyrical about the wonders of Portuguese wine during a masterclass on Tuesday, explaining to the audience why the on-trade should sit up and take notice.

Concha y Toro goes after greater share of the UK’s most valuable variety

Published: 30 March, 2022

Casillero del Diablo, Concha y Toro’s (CyT) flagship brand, is looking to nab a greater share of the Sauvignon Blanc pie with the launch of a premium coastal wine from Colchagua’s Ucuquer vineyard.

Wines from Spain announces 2022 annual tasting

Published: 30 March, 2022

The Wines from Spain Annual Tasting, the most comprehensive tasting of Spanish wines for the UK trade and press, is back with a series of in-person and digital tastings in June 2022. Leading importers and exporters of Spanish wines will present their latest portfolios featuring Spain’s wealth of DOs, styles and grape varieties.

SA wine grape harvest passes halfway mark; promising wines underway

Published: 29 March, 2022

After a slow start, harvest is well underway as more than half of South Africa’s 2022 wine grape crop has already been taken in at cellars. The crop is still estimated to be smaller than in 2021 but larger than the five-year average.