News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wines of Portugal

Published: 24 April, 2020

In the seventh of our series on responses by the generics to the Covid-19 pandemic, Andrew Catchpole talks to Jorge Monteiro, president, Wines of Portugal

News round up: All the world’s a (virtual) stage

Published: 24 April, 2020

As the pandemic continues to run it's grim course, news of new initiatives, charitable acts, mutual support and sharing continue to pour into Harpers' inbox, with the trade excelling itself when it come to showing an imaginative and caring face. Here are just some of those many acts and events that have caught our eye this week.

UK Rías Baixas wine sales soar 42%

Published: 24 April, 2020

UK sales of wines from Rías Baixas soared by 42% last year compared to 2018, according to the latest export figures from DO Rías Baixas.

Living with lockdown – Enotria & Coe

Published: 24 April, 2020

Troy Christensen, CEO at Enotria & Coe, talks frankly with Andrew Catchpole about the impact of the current crisis on on-trade suppliers and the daunting challenges ahead for the hospitality sector.

Chilean wine exports to the UK on the up

Published: 24 April, 2020

Chilean wine exports to the UK increased just over 7% in the last year in volume, but recorded a slight 0.5% decrease in value to US$£201m, according to new data released by Wines of Chile.

European wine revenues could be cut in half

Published: 24 April, 2020

European wine revenues could be cut in half as a result of Covid-19, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).

Retail alcohol sales surge 31%

Published: 24 April, 2020

Alcohol sales in UK retailers surged 31.4% in volume terms in March, well ahead of overall supermarket sales which rose 10.3% during the month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wines of South Africa

Published: 23 April, 2020

In the fifth of our series on responses by the generics to the Covid-19 pandemic, Andrew Catchpole talks to Jo Wehring, gin aficionado and UK market manager, WoSA.

Extended social distancing could cost one million hospitality jobs

Published: 23 April, 2020

An extended period of social distancing could cost one million jobs unless measures to protect hospitality businesses are put in place, UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned.

Wine consumption in OZ holding up but spend is down

Published: 23 April, 2020

Wine consumption in Australia has been holding up during lockdown, but spend per bottle is down, according to new Wine Intelligence Covid-19 research.

Staples bolsters Lay & Wheeler senior team

Published: 23 April, 2020

Lay & Wheeler has bolstered its senior team with the immediate addition of Simon Staples and Catherine Petrie MW.

Campari partners with The Drinks Trust and Tipjar to launch hospitality relief fund

Published: 23 April, 2020

Campari UK has joined forces with The Drinks Trust and Tipjar to launch a relief fund as part of Campari Group's global 'Shaken Not Broken' initiative to provide support to front-line workers in the hospitality industry during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Scottish distillers pledge 13.5 million litres of ethanol for hand sanitiser

Published: 23 April, 2020

Distillers across Scotland have currently pledged over 13.5 million litres of ethanol to support the production of more than 54 million bottles of hand sanitiser.

Generics respond to the pandemic: Wines of Argentina

Published: 23 April, 2020

In the fourth of our series on how the generic bodies are responding to the pandemic, Andrew Catchpole talks to Phil Crozier, brand ambassador UK & Europe, Wines of Argentina

Taylor's declares 2018 a classic vintage

Published: 23 April, 2020

The Fladgate Partnership has declared 2018 a ‘classic vintage’ for Taylor’s but not for its Fonseca or Croft Port brands.

The Wine Society claims a first with Austrian En Primeur launch

Published: 22 April, 2020

The Wine Society has launched what it claims to be the world’s first Austrian En Primeur offer in the shape of a white wine duo from Schloss Gobelsburg.

New Zealand Winegrowers commits to cutting carbon

Published: 22 April, 2020

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has committed to the goal of the New Zealand wine industry being net carbon-zero before 2050.

DesignMyNight launches new platform to support hospitality industry

Published: 22 April, 2020

'Discovery website' DesignMyNight has launched a new platform to showcase and support the best in online events and deliveries taking place across the UK during Covid-19.

SA export ban raises fears of longer-term damage for industry

Published: 22 April, 2020

South Africa stands alone in the world as a country that has barred exports of wine, leading to grave concerns from both exporters and their importers over significant damage to the future of the industry.

Living with lockdown – Berkmann Wine Cellars

Published: 22 April, 2020

Alex Hunt MW, purchasing director at Berkmann Wine Cellars, talks Andrew Catchpole through business during lockdown and the company’s innovative Help4Hospitality online platform to raise funds for the hospitality sector through consumer sales.