News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA strengthens board with two new appointments

Published: 02 July, 2019

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has added to new members to its board as it looks ahead to Brexit.

Portobello targets low-alcohol market with gin-inspired spirit

Published: 02 July, 2019

London’s Portobello Road distillery has launched a low-alcohol spirit for the gin market.

La Rioja Alta SA acquires Rioja Santiago

Published: 01 July, 2019

La Rioja Alta SA has acquired the historic Rioja Santiago winery in Haro’s Station District for an undisclosed sum.

McGuigan signs £2m deal to sponsor UKTV’s Drama channel

Published: 01 July, 2019

McGuigan has signed a £2m deal to sponsor UKTV’s Drama channel, marking its largest investment in a UK national advertising campaign to date.

Wine GB moves annual tasting to the autumn

Published: 01 July, 2019

Wine GB has moved its annual trade tasting from its traditional springtime to the autumn, with this year’s event taking place 4th September.

Jascots adds Loire producer Château Pierre-Bise

Published: 01 July, 2019

Jascots has signed a deal as distributor of Savennières and Anjou producer Château Pierre-Bise.

Sogrape takes majority stake in Liberty Wines

Published: 28 June, 2019

Sogrape is ramping up its investment in Liberty Wines, in a move that will increase its 2017 investment to a majority share in the business.

Trade should stop bottling it on carbon emissions

Published: 28 June, 2019

Bottling and packaging play by far the largest role in the green house gas (GHG) emissions generated by the production and distribution of a wine, contributing 42% of the total carbon footprint, delivering a clear ‘innovation challenge’ for the trade if it is to fully join the march towards greater sustainability.

The week that was

Published: 28 June, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Saunders wins chairman role at WSTA

Published: 28 June, 2019

Michael Saunders, chief executive of Bibendum PLB, has been appointed by the WSTA as its new chairman. He takes over from outgoing chairman, Dan Jago.

Winetraders signs up Hampshire’s Exton Park

Published: 28 June, 2019

Winetraders has expanded its listings with the addition of English sparkling wine producer Exton Park.

Market frustrated at pricing of Bordeaux 2018

Published: 28 June, 2019

Traders have found the release of Bordeaux’s 2018 vintage “perplexing” and “frustrating”, according to a report from Liv-Ex.

Lebanon goes back to its roots with 100% Merwah and less focus on “blingy reds”

Published: 27 June, 2019

Lebanese winemakers are delving into their history, and are now ready to expand their repertoire from "extracted, luxurious reds” to indigenous whites and terroir-driven styles, an expert on the country has said.

Time to change perception of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 27 June, 2019

New Zealand’s much-loved Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc needs to change its ‘drink now’ image to help boost consumer understanding of its more complex, premium and age-worthy styles.

Majestic lowers spirits prices

Published: 27 June, 2019

Majestic has lowered the price of its entire spirits portfolio and removed the two tier pricing on the category.

Majority stakeholders swoop in on Sopexa

Published: 26 June, 2019

The PR agency behind Loire Valley Wines and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte has new owners.

Bibendum launches ‘industry first’ training course

Published: 26 June, 2019

Bibendum has launched what it claims to be an 'industry first' training course - ‘Getting to grips with German Wine’.

Benevolent appoints former LWF head Ross Carter as its new CEO

Published: 26 June, 2019

The Benevolent has appointed former head of London Wine Fair (LWF) Ross Carter as its new CEO.

Cali wine sales in US hit $40bn

Published: 25 June, 2019

California wine shipments in the US reached an estimated retail value of $40.2bn in 2018, up 3% from the previous year despite a slowdown in overall wine sales, according to the Wine Institute – the trade body for Californian wine.