News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The week that was

Published: 28 June, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Saunders wins chairman role at WSTA

Published: 28 June, 2019

Michael Saunders, chief executive of Bibendum PLB, has been appointed by the WSTA as its new chairman. He takes over from outgoing chairman, Dan Jago.

Winetraders signs up Hampshire’s Exton Park

Published: 28 June, 2019

Winetraders has expanded its listings with the addition of English sparkling wine producer Exton Park.

Market frustrated at pricing of Bordeaux 2018

Published: 28 June, 2019

Traders have found the release of Bordeaux’s 2018 vintage “perplexing” and “frustrating”, according to a report from Liv-Ex.

Lebanon goes back to its roots with 100% Merwah and less focus on “blingy reds”

Published: 27 June, 2019

Lebanese winemakers are delving into their history, and are now ready to expand their repertoire from "extracted, luxurious reds” to indigenous whites and terroir-driven styles, an expert on the country has said.

Time to change perception of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 27 June, 2019

New Zealand’s much-loved Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc needs to change its ‘drink now’ image to help boost consumer understanding of its more complex, premium and age-worthy styles.

Majestic lowers spirits prices

Published: 27 June, 2019

Majestic has lowered the price of its entire spirits portfolio and removed the two tier pricing on the category.

Majority stakeholders swoop in on Sopexa

Published: 26 June, 2019

The PR agency behind Loire Valley Wines and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte has new owners.

Bibendum launches ‘industry first’ training course

Published: 26 June, 2019

Bibendum has launched what it claims to be an 'industry first' training course - ‘Getting to grips with German Wine’.

Benevolent appoints former LWF head Ross Carter as its new CEO

Published: 26 June, 2019

The Benevolent has appointed former head of London Wine Fair (LWF) Ross Carter as its new CEO.

Cali wine sales in US hit $40bn

Published: 25 June, 2019

California wine shipments in the US reached an estimated retail value of $40.2bn in 2018, up 3% from the previous year despite a slowdown in overall wine sales, according to the Wine Institute – the trade body for Californian wine.

Proof Drinks launches 13-strong non-alcoholic spirits range

Published: 25 June, 2019

Proof Drinks has launched a non-alcoholic spirits and liqueurs range in the UK to tap the thirst for no/low cocktails.

Pinkster aims to tap cocktail trend with NPD

Published: 25 June, 2019

Raspberry-infused gin brand Pinkster has added a cocktail mix to its menu.

Winchester Distillery eyes expansion as it raises near £500k

Published: 25 June, 2019

Winchester Distillery has completed its crowdfunding campaign raising nearly £500k.

‘Moonsoon’ weather costs supermarkets £120m in missed sales

Published: 25 June, 2019

UK supermarkets lost out on more than £120m in missed sales in the past four weeks as growth in the grocery sector continued to slow.

Santa Rita appoints UK export manager

Published: 24 June, 2019

Santa Rita Estates (SRE) has appointed Alex Kennedy to the role of UK export manager.

Indigo and Goode pair up to deliver Albariño with a difference

Published: 24 June, 2019

Spain specialist Indigo Wines has teamed up with drinks writer Jamie Goode and Daniel Primack of Winerack'd UK for the latest in a growing number of forays into the world of hands on winemaking.

The Lakes Distillery secures £3.75m investment

Published: 24 June, 2019

The Lakes Distillery has secured a £3.75m investment from a group of investors.

New deal could pull Oddbins out of administration

Published: 24 June, 2019

Oddbins could be bought back by its former owner European Food Brokers four months after it went into administration.

Jon Bon Jovi, Jesse Bongiovi and Gérard Bertrand launch Hampton Water Rosé in the UK

Published: 21 June, 2019

Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse Bongiovi and Gérard Bertrand have teamed up to launch rosé wine Hampton Water in the UK, available exclusively via Hallgarten & Novum Wines to the on- and off-trade, with an RRP of £19.99 and a trade price of £16.26.