News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

How do you give the drinks of yesteryear a modern twist?

Published: 13 March, 2020

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, on why legacy brands are enjoying a new lease of life.

Pernod Ricard invests in Italy’s Italicus

Published: 12 March, 2020

Pernod Ricard has expanded its ‘super’ premium spirits portfolio with an undisclosed investment in bergamot-infused Italian aperitivo Italicus.

Mid-week on-trade spend in major Northern cities booms

Published: 12 March, 2020

Northern cities have started to shed their ‘weekend party image’ with ‘seven day socialising’ taking hold, according to new research.

Floods and coronavirus take their toll on on-trade

Published: 12 March, 2020

Trading in Britain's pub, restaurant and bar sector fell 3.3% in February as the developing coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis and the severe floods took their toll on eating and drinking out.

Co-op continues expansion with first Romanian and Uruguayan wines

Published: 12 March, 2020

Co-op’s has broadened its portfolio by adding its first wines from Romania and Uruguay.

Budget: Coronavirus relief for SMEs and employees

Published: 11 March, 2020

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered a bold response to the coronavirus crisis in his 11 March budget, with a raft of measures to support SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and their employees.

New Kitemark could be the tipping point in the fight against staff churn, says co-founder

Published: 11 March, 2020

Transparency around tipping and being seen to be a ‘fair’ industry is essential to recruiting and retaining staff ahead of the introduction of the government’s new points-based migration policy, a founding member of a new tipping Kitemark has said.

Washington State reaffirms commitment to UK

Published: 11 March, 2020

Despite a wave of cancelled trade events elsewhere, Washington State went ahead with its London tasting yesterday, with the message that the UK remains at the heart of its export focus.

Wine Intelligence predicts 15% ‘Covid-19' hole in on-trade sales

Published: 11 March, 2020

Wine Intelligence has predicted that UK on-trade premises are likely to see a hole in revenues to the tune of around 15% as a result of Covid-19.

Budget: Chancellor announces freeze on all alcohol duty

Published: 11 March, 2020

Duty on wines, spirits and beers is to be frozen, new Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in today’s budget, allaying trade fears of another rise in line with inflation.

Plumpton College to host first UK Wine Sensory Symposium

Published: 11 March, 2020

Plumpton College has announced it is set to host the first UK Wine Sensory Symposium on 20 April at Denbies Wine Estate.

Disaronno resists coronavirus blues to set up UK distribution hub

Published: 10 March, 2020

Disaronno and Tia Maria owners Illva Saronno have today announced that they are setting up a distribution, sales and marketing arm in the UK – the same day that Italy announced it is quarantining its entire 60 million population due to the spiraling outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19).

Bibendum jumps on can bandwagon with own range

Published: 10 March, 2020

Bibendum has jumped on the canned wine bandwagon with the launch of a three-strong range named Small but Perfectly Formed.

LWF teams up with Chiswick Auctions to raise ‘big bucks’ for The Benevolent

Published: 10 March, 2020

London Wine Fair (LWF) has joined forces with Chiswick Auctions to host a live auction on-site at this year’s fair, with part of the proceeds donated to The Benevolent.

Hedonism launches ‘wine school’

Published: 09 March, 2020

Hedonism has added another string to its bow with the launch of the Hedonist Wine School - a series of ticketed wine tastings in an informal setting.

Last call on government to cut duty

Published: 09 March, 2020

A group of 14 MPs has made a last call to the government to cut duty ahead of Wednesday’s Budget.

Nyetimber and Plumpton join forces to develop winemakers of the future

Published: 09 March, 2020

Nyetimber is looking to help develop the next generation of wine industry leaders via a new placement scheme in conjunction with Plumpton College’s wine division.

Spiritual home of Rioja producers hit by coronavirus

Published: 09 March, 2020

Haro, the spiritual home of quality Rioja producers, has been hit by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak as residents of the town in the heart of the wine region are told to stay at home.

Broadland launches multi-country brand

Published: 09 March, 2020

Broadland Drinks has launched amulti-country brand, No Ordinary, aimed at consumers who are looking for interesting wines but want the ease of exploring without time consuming research.

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo continue dominance of global power list

Published: 09 March, 2020

Australia and Chile have once again topped Wine Intelligence’s list of the world’s power brands, with Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo holding onto their spots in first and second place for the third year in a row.