News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Right Bank under threat as adaptability of Merlot cools

Published: 06 July, 2020

The traditional Merlot-dominant blends of Bordeaux’s Right Bank are being threatened by global warming, according to leading winemakers in the region.

Pub reopenings: a frontline view

Published: 06 July, 2020

Jo Eames, creative director and drinks buyer at Peach Pubs, gives the lowdown on the staggered reopening of venues across England’s market towns and how it’s all rolling out post 4 July.

Bollinger adds first cuvée in over a decade with Bollinger PN

Published: 06 July, 2020

Champagne Bollinger has added its first permanent cuvée in 12 years with the launch of Bollinger PN, the first of an intended series focusing on the house’s flagship grape.

On-trade re-emerges with professional calm and strong bookings

Published: 06 July, 2020

Early indications from those on-trade operators that chose to reopen over the weekend suggest good numbers of customers and both guests and staff taking safety guidelines in their stride.

UK-wide bars and restaurants gear up to unveil new look on-trade this weekend

Published: 03 July, 2020

Bars, restaurants and pubs are expected to re-open in droves this weekend, with a complete overhaul of safety procedures set to establish a new normal for the British on-trade.

On-trade ‘test and trace’ guidance published

Published: 03 July, 2020

As pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés re-boot from 4 July, the new NHS Test and Trace guidance will mean that venues should maintain records of staff, customers and visitors, and share these with the health service if requested.

Casual Dining Group to close 91 restaurants

Published: 03 July, 2020

Casual Dining Group (CDG), the company that owns Bella Italia, Café Rouge, Las Iguanas and Belgo, has announced 91 of its 250 sites will remain closed permanently, resulting in the loss of 1,900 jobs to the on-trade sector.

Friday Read: Multiple price pressures

Published: 03 July, 2020

The following nicely captures the predominant supplier view of UK supermarkets.

Loire Valley sparklers herald UK uplift

Published: 02 July, 2020

Loire Valley fizz has enjoyed a surge in exports to the UK, with Crémant de Loire having jumped just shy of 50%.

Targeted reopening key to successfully rebuilding custom

Published: 02 July, 2020

On-trade operators are advised to target the customers most keen to remerge post-lockdown to ensure a more successful reopening.

Major brands “reallocating” funds away from on-trade into e-commerce and DTC

Published: 02 July, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic is facilitating a long-term shift among many of the world’s leading drinks brands’ strategies, it has been suggested, as owners begin to adopt a more “nuanced” approach to channel distribution.

Sensible partners Borough for sample rebottling service

Published: 02 July, 2020

The now familiar mini-samples of wine that arrive ahead of virtually-hosted tastings have been made available through a joint Sensible Wine Services and Borough Wines partnership.

Self-imposed regulations risk UK’s standing as fine wine trading hub

Published: 01 July, 2020

The UK's status as a global trading hub for fine wine will face major risks from the additional burdens of government-imposed regulations when the UK ends its Brexit transition period at the close of the year.

Hatch Mansfield claims trio of eco firsts by becoming carbon neutral

Published: 01 July, 2020

Hatch Mansfield has revealed it has managed to reduce its net carbon emissions to zero for 2019, making it the first in the industry to achieve a trio of recognised sustainability accreditations.

Caroline Thompson-Hill becomes Accolade’s European MD

Published: 01 July, 2020

Accolade Wines has unveiled a reshuffle of its top people in Europe – the company’s biggest market.

Vindome launch delivers fine wine investment platform on phones

Published: 01 July, 2020

Vindome, an online trading platform for fine wine, has launched what it describes as “the world's first wine investment app”, allowing wine enthusiasts to access the fine wine market from their phones.

Amorim marks Dão vinotourism venture with launch of Taboadella wines

Published: 01 July, 2020

The Amorim Group’s Taboadella winery is delivering a striking new vino-tourism experience in the Dão region with the opening up to visitors of a dedicated cellar door experience and accommodation.