News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Soave puts spring in step with summer campaign

Published: 07 March, 2019

Soave is ramping up its UK focus, targeting independents and restaurants this summer with a #SummerofSoave campaign.

Armit backs Italy with several new agency partnerships

Published: 07 March, 2019

Armit Wines is flexing its muscles in its Italian portfolio, having added several new producers through agencies or partner agencies.

Sales of English and Welsh wine double in 2018

Published: 06 March, 2019

The English and Welsh wine industry produced a record-breaking amount of wine last year thanks to a frost-free spring and a long, mostly dry summer.

Matthew Clark comes out fighting fit after major restructure

Published: 06 March, 2019

National wholesaler Matthew Clark says it is firmly back on track, with a far-reaching restructure of the business completed and having “delivered one of the best Christmas in terms of service and performance”, according to managing director David Phillips (pictured above).

UK and non-EU workers plugging London’s hospitality recruitment gap

Published: 06 March, 2019

Workers from the UK and outside the UK are picking up the slack from the declining number of EU nationals applying to work in hospitality jobs in the UK.

Amathus strengthens Priorat and Montsant

Published: 06 March, 2019

Amathus Drinks has expanded its Spanish portfolio with the addition of two new Catalonian producers: Celler l’Encastell from Priorat and Celler Masroig from Montsant.

Spain celebrates new Caballeros del Vino

Published: 05 March, 2019

The Wine Society’s Pierre Mansour and Paul Shinnie of Alliance Wines were the latest UK trade to be honour at a lively Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino annual dinner in Mayfair last night, where they were officially invested into the red-robed order by Spanish ambassador His Excellency Carlos Bastarreche.

Australia ramps up Prowein presence

Published: 05 March, 2019

Wine Australia is fielding a bumper crop of producers and wines at this year’s Prowein in its strongest presence to date in what CEO Andreas Clark describes as “one of the biggest and most important events in Wine Australia's global calendar”.

Aperol continues to lead the way for Campari Group

Published: 05 March, 2019

The demand for Italian aperitifs is still going strong, after sales of Aperol jumped 56% in the UK last year.

Smartphones dominate as online retail sales hits new high

Published: 05 March, 2019

In the fast evolving online retail market, sales via smartphone have overtaken both desktop and tablet, and at a time when online grocery retail has reached a new high of £8 billion in the UK.

Portman group tackles ‘offensive marketing’ in sixth code of practice

Published: 05 March, 2019

UK alcohol regulator the Portman Group has updated its packaging and promotional guidance for society’s evolving standards, including a new rule around ‘offence’.

Helen McGinn to chair Wine Stars Awards

Published: 04 March, 2019

Author, columnist and blogger Helen McGinn is to take on the role of competition chair at Harpers Wine Stars Awards.

Carluccio’s boss calls out casual dining operators for aggressive expansion plans

Published: 04 March, 2019

Carluccio’s CEO has criticised the UK restaurant sector for focusing on “capex-heavy investments” – the same focus which almost brought the chain to brink of collapse last year.

Larkan aims to plug a gap for ‘super premium’ canned wine

Published: 04 March, 2019

Larkin Wines, a boutique Napa winery which specialises in premium Cabernet and red blends retailing around £70, is set to launch a range of ‘super premium’ canned wines in the UK.

Halewood opens Australian business

Published: 04 March, 2019

Halewood has expanded its global reach with the opening of a business based in Australia.

Champagne Devaux appoints new president as Gillet steps down

Published: 04 March, 2019

Champagne Devaux has appointed Pascal Dubois as its new president following Laurent Gillet stepping down after more than 30 years.

Quality drink offer increasingly important in tough casual dining market

Published: 01 March, 2019

The perceived quality and value for spend delivered by operators in the casual dining market is the strongest driver both of customer retention and new footfall, according to on-trade insights consultancy CGA.

The week that was

Published: 01 March, 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.

Familia Torres & Jackson Family wineries join together to fight climate change

Published: 01 March, 2019

Spain's Familia Torres and California's Jackson Family wineries have, for over a decade now been taking very large steps to change business approaches in order to combat Climate Change. While they've been working on these projects separately to date, yesterday in Barcelona, Miguel Torres Sr. and Katie Jackson jointly announced the creation of the organisation, "International Wineries for Climate Action".

Quinta da Aveleda turns to rosé in £6 million Algarve investment

Published: 01 March, 2019

Portuguese wine producer Quinta da Aveleda has announced a £6 million investment in the Algarve, which is expected to primarily focus on the production of rosé wines.