News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Absolut unveils new bottle design amid brand shakeup

Published: 14 February, 2022

Vodka brand Absolut has revealed a new bottle design and remixed flavoured range in what will be the brand’s biggest shake-up since its launch in 1979.

New campaign to reinvigorate sherry's image in UK

Published: 11 February, 2022

Promotional body Sherry from Spain has launched a new promotional drive in the UK market, designed to build awareness and transform sherry's image across both the on-trade and direct-to-consumer channels.

D’Yquem puts the emphasis on young and old with new Lighthouse series

Published: 11 February, 2022

Chateau d’Yquem is encouraging consumers to try their sweet wines young as part of a global by-the-glass initiatives with key on-trade players, while also allowing more time for the wines to age at the winery before being bottled and released to market.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris to showcase emerging Italy

Published: 11 February, 2022

As the buzz surrounding Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris 2022 continues to build, its organisers have unveiled an impressive line-up, including a significant Italian offering at the fair.

Bourgogne Wine Board announces landmark collaboration to achieve carbon neutral status

Published: 11 February, 2022

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) has enlisted the help of Paris-based waste management firm Adelphe, working together to develop an overarching strategic vision to achieve carbon neutral status by 2050.

Harpers Sustainability Charter gathers momentum

Published: 10 February, 2022

In the short week since its launch, Harpers Sustainability Charter has attracted several high-profile companies as founding signatories, along with further interest from many quarters of the trade.

Justerini & Brooks expands Portuguese range with three new agencies

Published: 10 February, 2022

Leading importer Justerini & Brooks will distribute three niche Portuguese wine brands in the UK, in anticipation of rising consumer demand.

Freixenet Copestick picks up Wither Hills

Published: 10 February, 2022

Marlborough-based winery Wither Hills has joined the expanding family of Freixenet Copestick agencies, after the firm entered into a partnership with brand owner Lion New Zealand.

Pernod Ricard celebrates record breaking sales in first half of fiscal year

Published: 10 February, 2022

Multinational Pernod Ricard has posted record turnover from sales during the first half of the fiscal year (beginning July 2021), earning global revenues of €5,959m, with an organic growth of +17%.

Atkin unveils latest Rioja Report

Published: 10 February, 2022

Harpers columnist Tim Atkin MW has launched the 2022 edition of his Rioja Report – the seventh in-depth study, published via Atkin's website.

Hospitality sector embarks upon landmark recruitment campaign

Published: 10 February, 2022

Grass-roots organisation Hospitality Rising has been appointed strategic leader of the industry’s biggest ever recruitment campaign, working in collaboration with the Hospitality & Tourism Sector Skills Board (HTSB).

50 Top Drinks Wholesaler 2022 nominations are open

Published: 09 February, 2022

Following a change of format during the pandemic, we’re delighted to announce that Harpers' annual 50 Top Drinks Wholesaler list, celebrating the best wholesalers in the UK, is back its original form.

Leeds and Glasgow hospitality sectors resurgent despite pandemic disruption

Published: 09 February, 2022

New research from CGA Strategy has uncovered a stark division between hospitality businesses in London and regional cities across the UK, with the latter thriving in the context of a difficult trading period, while London continues to struggle.

Dramatic rise in Franciacorta sales

Published: 09 February, 2022

Italy's premier traditional method fizz saw encouraging sales growth in 2021, jumping beyond pre-pandemic levels to a record 20.3 million bottles.

Wines of Roussillon launches three-year promotional campaign

Published: 08 February, 2022

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) has unveiled a new three year generic campaign, designed to raise the profile of the region in the UK, supporting the commercial efforts of its wine producers and importers.

New date for Occitania trade fair while Vinexpo prepares to launch

Published: 08 February, 2022

The inaugural edition of a new regional wine fair in Montpellier, Dégustez en VO!, will take place on 2 and 3 May 2022.

Hospitality sector urges government to stall VAT hike in April

Published: 08 February, 2022

In a campaign organised by UKHospitality, more than 250 business leaders from the service and leisure industries have written to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, urging the government to keep VAT at 12.5% beyond March 2022.

Enotria & Coe marks 50th anniversary with new agency quartet

Published: 08 February, 2022

Leading distributor Enotria & Coe has welcomed four leading brands into its portfolio: Susana Balbo, from Argentina; Martín Códax, from Galicia; Frescobaldi, from Tuscany; and Teusner, from the Barossa Valley.

Australian wine brand removes over 10 million plastic bottles from world oceans

Published: 08 February, 2022

The Hidden Sea, founded by Aussie rules football star-turned-winemaker Richie Vandenberg and Justin Moran in 2021, and brought into the UK by Kingsland Drinks, has achieved a major sustainability milestone by removing the equivalent of more than 10 million single-use plastic bottles from the ocean.