News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Winetraders adds ten new artisan Italian producers to portfolio

Published: 03 September, 2026

Winetraders has announced the addition of ten new artisan Italian estates to its portfolio, as it nears its thirtieth year in the industry.

SITT unveils masterclass programme for upcoming autumn event

Published: 03 September, 2026

The Specialist Importer’s Trade Tasting (SITT) has announced its autumn programme of masterclasses exploring the key trends, regions and topics shaping the independent trade.

Henkell Freixenet acquires majority stake in Irish importer Cassidy Wines

Published: 02 September, 2026

Sparkling wine giant Henkell Freixenet has purchased a 60% stake in Irish importer-distributor Cassidy Wines.

Vineyards championed as wildfire-prevention tool in Sierra de Gredos

Published: 02 September, 2026

Professionals from the wine and gastronomy sectors in the Sierra de Gredos have launched the Gredos Vivo Platform, which calls for viticulture to be recognised as a tool for protecting the land and preventing wildfires.

Winner of 31 Days of German Wine announced

Published: 02 September, 2026

Bristol- and Plymouth-based Le Vignoble has come out on top of Wines of Germany's 31 Days of German Wine promotion, achieving the highest score out of all participating merchants and restaurants.

London City Bond newest Wine GB patron

Published: 02 September, 2026

Wine GB, the trade body for English and Welsh wine, has announced that bonded logistics provider London City Bond (LCB) is the organisation’s latest patron.

Tom Fahey: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 02 September, 2026

Another on-trade innovator features in our annual summer Q&A series. Tom Fahey, sommelier and chef patron at The Terrace Rooms & Wine, details the success of his new wholesale arm, the challenges of negotiating the Isle of Wight’s quiet off-season and why he is listing dark rosés as chilled reds.

Raft of new portfolio additions unveiled by top importers

Published: 01 September, 2026

Leading wine importers Alliance Wine, Hallgarten & Novum Wines and Graft Wine have all unveiled new additions to their portfolios.

Washington and Oregon join up for UK trade and media representation

Published: 01 September, 2026

The Oregon Wine Board (OWB) and the Washington State Wine Commission (WSWC) have joined forces in the UK to promote wines from the USA’s Pacific Northwest.

Cru Wine: Andrea Marino set to be MD, leaving Petersham Cellar

Published: 01 September, 2026

International fine wine and rare spirits merchant Cru Wine has appointed Andrea Marino (pictured) as its new MD, following its three-year restructuring programme.

Greg Wilkins: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 31 August, 2026

Brand Phoenix MD Greg Wilkins continues our Summer Q&A series, reflecting on what is going well despite tough conditions, and what it is that lends this industry such resilience.

Earliest-ever harvest for Champagne Drappier following ‘remarkably warm’ summer

Published: 28 August, 2026

Champagne Drappier has reported the earliest-ever harvest in its over-200-year-old history, after growing conditions it described as “remarkably warm and dry”.

Bethany Pogson: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 28 August, 2026

Top somm at Cambridge’s Michelin-starred Restaurant Twenty-Two Bethany Pogson provides her perspective for our ongoing summer Q&A. Here she reflects on negotating the impact of the cost-of-living, the success of the venue's in-house wine club and the appeal of Niagaran ice wine.

Another year of falling sales for Pernod Ricard as full-year results released

Published: 27 August, 2026

Pernod Ricard's FY26 report has revealed that its organic net sales fell by 3.9% over the past financial year, with organic profit also dropping by 5.2% in a worse than expected period for the drinks giant.

Majestic staff caught out purchasing Bollinger from Sainsbury’s

Published: 27 August, 2026

Staff at retailer Majestic purchased bottles of Bollinger Special Cuvée from Sainsbury’s after being told to by bosses, The Sun has reported.

Sustainability in Drinks unveils 2026 programme

Published: 26 August, 2026

Sustainability in Drinks has released its programme for the 2026 edition of the conference, taking place on Tuesday 20 October at London’s Christ Church Spitalfields.

Research finds both moderation and binge drinking on the rise

Published: 26 August, 2026

New findings from the 2026 Drinkaware Monitor suggests that at the same time as UK drinkers are moderating their alcohol consumption, weekly binge drinking is increasing.

John Colley: ‘Looking Back, Forging Ahead’

Published: 26 August, 2026

Majestic Wine Group‘s executive chairman and CEO talks about ‘controlling the controllables’, the need for government to listen and his fondness for Nebiollo and opera, along with salted caramel ice cream.

Unite threatens strike at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery over job cuts

Published: 25 August, 2026

Unite the Union has confirmed that from tomorrow (26 August) until 9 September a strike action ballot will be open, allowing about 100 members at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery to vote on whether to take action.