News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Justerini & Brooks reclaims UK distribution of J&B Rare whisky

Published: 02 May, 2018

Justerini & Brooks has reclaimed the exclusive UK distribution of its house whisky - J&B Rare, after a 21 year gap.

Distell defies challenging season with promising harvest

Published: 02 May, 2018

Distell has reported a ‘promising quality’ harvest despite experiencing one of the most challenging seasons in recent years.

Think Gin: The big flavour debate

Published: 01 May, 2018

The colourful world of flavoured gin was a hot topic at yesterday’s annual Harper’s Think Gin event, coming up time and time again as sub-section driving overall gin growth, yet at the same time dividing opinion on what role it should play within the wider category.

Splash Wines gears up for UK launch

Published: 01 May, 2018

Splash Wines, the US based direct-to-consumer wine marketer, has announced its intention to expand into the UK market.

Think Gin unveils this year’s winners

Published: 01 May, 2018

The winners of this year’s Think Gin awards were unveiled as the Harpers and Drinks Retailing News event returned to London bigger and better than ever.

Three Spanish wine producers join forces to offer ‘unique’ wines

Published: 01 May, 2018

Three Spanish wine producers have joined forces to offer UK wholesalers, on-trade operators and independents an opportunity to source a unique portfolio of wine from the country.

Bacardi completes Patrón acquisition

Published: 01 May, 2018

Bacardi has completed the acquisition of premium tequila producer Patrón Spirits International.

McGuigan expands Black Label with first sparkling wines

Published: 30 April, 2018

McGuigan Wines has expanded its Black Label portfolio with three sparkling wines, including a red variant, marking the first fizz to join the range.

Vins de Bordeaux gears up for spring with trade tasting series

Published: 30 April, 2018

Vins de Bordeaux has revealed it is launching a series of educational tastings especially created for wine trade professionals.

Sainsbury’s and Asda confirm £12bn merger and hint at 10% price cuts

Published: 30 April, 2018

Sainsbury’s and Asda have confirmed they are to merge creating a supermarket powerhouse with combined revenues of £51 billion, overtaking Tesco as the number one player in the sector.

Barefoot adapts Pinot Grigio flagship to match pink and fizz trends

Published: 27 April, 2018

E&J Gallo’s carefree California wine brand Barefoot Wine is fastest growing top five wine brand in the UK according to Nielsen. Harpers caught up with head winemaker Jen Wall to discuss 20 years of making affordable, fruit forward wines that people want to drink.

The week that was

Published: 27 April, 2018

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Provence 2017 wine production slumps 12% as quality rises

Published: 27 April, 2018

Wine output from Provence slumped by 12% or 21 million bottles in 2017 following harsh late frosts, according to the region’s winemakers.

Industry asked: how much drink is too much?

Published: 27 April, 2018

How much is too much? Are new rules needed to stop drinks brands implying their products can improve mood? Does the industry still use sexist imagery to advertise drinks?

English vine plantings to rise by up to 70% this year

Published: 27 April, 2018

Sales of English wine jumped by almost a third (31%) between 2015 and last year, according to a new survey of the country’s winemakers.

Rioja 2017 vintage scarce but ‘very good’

Published: 27 April, 2018

The Rioja 2017 vintage has been awarded an official ‘very good’ rating by the Rioja Control Board.

Taxi! Loire Valley Wines splashes out on black cab branding

Published: 26 April, 2018

The trade body that represents winemakers from the Loire Valley is gearing up for a marketing offensive in London in May.

Bloom & Wild begins posting ‘letterbox wine’

Published: 26 April, 2018

The company behind a plastic letterbox wine bottle that allows wine to be posted through drinkers’ doors has launched a partnership with a leading online florist.

Wine-Searcher CEO quits claiming ‘I never wanted the job’

Published: 26 April, 2018

The founder of online drinks database Wine-Searcher has stepped down as boss of the business claiming: “I never really wanted to be CEO in the first place.”

Trade predicts En Primeur price drop while academic study estimates rise

Published: 26 April, 2018

There is little consensus about En Primeur prices this year with the wine trade predicting a drop while the latest academic study expects a price rise.