News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Widespread compliance with Portman’s voluntary guidelines

Published: 12 September, 2024

A new review of alcohol labelling in the UK has shown almost universal compliance with the Portman Group’s voluntary health labelling guidelines.

Hospitality vacancies fall below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic

Published: 12 September, 2024

The number of job vacancies in the UK’s hospitality sector has dropped below 100,000 for the first time since the pandemic, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). There are currently 98,000 vacancies in food service and accommodation, marking a reduction on recent years. However, the number remains 5,000 higher than pre-pandemic levels of 93,000.

Rascallion and Hammonds of Knutsford sign new partnership

Published: 12 September, 2024

Family-owned independent wine and spirits specialist, Hammonds of Knutsford, has brokered a new partnership with Rascallion Wines of South Africa to be its exclusive agent in the UK and Ireland.

French wines see strong UK growth despite market decline

Published: 11 September, 2024

Despite a 4% decline in the overall UK wine market, French wines recorded a 6% growth, driven by a 21% surge in wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Indigo turns 21 with special guests tasting

Published: 11 September, 2024

Indigo Wine celebrated 21 years in business this week via a special gathering of the wines and winemakers which helped to put the business on the UK map.

Hallgarten expands portfolio with new Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and South African producers

Published: 10 September, 2024

Wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has further expanded its portfolio for the UK’s premium hospitality and retail sectors by adding several new international producers. This includes two Italian wineries, La Collina Dei Ciliegi from Valpantena in Valpolicella and Sardinia’s Sella & Mosca.

Hospitality industry calls for urgent action on business rates

Published: 10 September, 2024

UKHospitality is urging the government to take immediate action to prevent a sharp rise in business rates for thousands of hospitality businesses, warning that bills could skyrocket in April 2025 without intervention.

Lower harvest volume forecast for Austria

Published: 10 September, 2024

Austria has declared a 'very early vintage' for 2024, with volumes expected to be considerably lower than the recent average.

González Byass UK adds Famiglia Castellani to wine portfolio

Published: 10 September, 2024

González Byass UK has announced the addition of Famiglia Castellani to its UK wine portfolio, with the collaboration starting on 9 September 2024.

Henkell Freixenet acquires full ownership of Vinicom

Published: 09 September, 2024

Henkell Freixenet, a global leader in sparkling wine and renowned supplier of still wines, has reinforced its presence in Portugal by completing the acquisition of Vinicom, a family-owned wine distribution company.

Seedlip founder launches new era with lab and segue into ‘dark spirits’

Published: 09 September, 2024

Ben Branson, the man behind pioneering low & no brand Seedlip is celebrating ten years of boundary breaking with a new product launch, made at a pioneering new facility designed to take his creations to the next level.

London Assembly investigates night-time economy as UKHospitality voices concerns

Published: 09 September, 2024

The London Assembly’s Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has launched an investigation into the challenges facing the city’s night-time economy, focusing on the long-term effects of the pandemic, rising inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The inquiry aims to assess how well London’s night-time leisure sector has recovered and to explore how existing mayoral policies support the ambition of a “24-hour city”.

New F&B course seeks to offer ‘creditable pathways to success'

Published: 09 September, 2024

A new Food & Beverage Manager Development Programme has been launched to help individuals working in hospitality to develop managerial and leadership skills.

67 Pall Mall communicator awards revealed

Published: 09 September, 2024

Wine-forward members club 67 Pall Mall has announced the winners of its first ever Global Wine Communicator Awards.

Hugh Johnson invests in Sugrue South Downs sparkling wine

Published: 09 September, 2024

Hugh Johnson OBE, a leading figure in the world of wine writing and one of the UK's most recognised wine commentators, has invested in Sugrue South Downs, the award-winning English sparkling wine producer led by Dermot and Ana Sugrue. The exact sum of Johnson’s investment remains undisclosed.

David Gleave MW on Remo Nardone's legacy

Published: 06 September, 2024

Liberty Wines’ chairman David Gleave MW pens a personal tribute in the wake of Enotria founder Remo Nardone’s passing, celebrating Remo’s important legacy on the UK wine scene.

Younger consumers and wellness dominate Wine Society panel

Published: 06 September, 2024

At The Wine Society’s ‘Future of Wine’ panel discussion, hosted at The Conduit in Covent Garden, experts debated the evolving landscape of wine consumption. The event shed light on two dominant themes reshaping the industry: the influence of younger consumers and the impact of the wellness movement. Panellists, including Hannah Crosbie, Mark Andrew MW, Pauline Vicard, Pierre Mansour, Becky Sykes and Mags Janjo, tackled industry anxieties over the changing habits of new generations and the rise of mindful drinking.

Celeb backed brands aren’t failsafe for success

Published: 06 September, 2024

New data has revealed the precarious business of investing in celebrity backed brands; for while they tend to outperform their total category, celebrity involvement doesn’t always guarantee success.

Friday read: Is the outdoor smoking ban a smoking gun for hospitality?

Published: 06 September, 2024

London’s D&D restaurant group isn’t the only major player in UK hospitality to significantly invest in outdoor spaces over the past 17 years.

WineGB urges government support to boost wine exports

Published: 05 September, 2024

WineGB is calling on the government to increase support for promoting British wine sales abroad, as exports have seen significant growth. The proportion of sales from exports has doubled from 4% in 2021 to 8% in 2023, reflecting growing international interest in English and Welsh wines.