News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Statutory Pubs Code to be introduced in Scotland

Published: 12 April, 2024

The Scottish government has announced legislation to improve the rights of tied pub tenants.

Calais Vins partners with P&O Ferries to offer ‘free travel’

Published: 12 April, 2024

French wine retailers Calais Vins and Olivier Vins have partnered with P&O Ferries to offer free ferry crossings across the Channel for British consumers.

Imbibe Live to reveal Sommelier Wine Awards results

Published: 11 April, 2024

The results of the first Sommelier Wine Awards since its Covid-forced hiatus will be announced at this year’s Imbibe Live, set to take place at the London Olympia, between 1-2 July.

Hydrogen viable source for distillation Beam Suntory finds

Published: 11 April, 2024

Spirits company Beam Suntory has found hydrogen to be a viable fuel source for direct-fired distillation, in what it describes as a “world-first achievement in hydrogen distilling for whisky production”.

Million-dollar project floats The Australian Ark

Published: 11 April, 2024

Australia’s viticultural and winemaking history has been writ large in a new three-volume book launched this week to the UK, named The Australia Ark, telling the stories of Australian wine from 1788 to the present day.

UK’s biggest pub group Stonegate faces collapse with £2bn debt pile

Published: 11 April, 2024

The UK’s largest pub and bar operator, Stonegate Pub Company, has warned it may not continue as “a going concern” amid struggles to refinance a £2.2bn debt mountain.

Fines loom for businesses yet to submit packaging data WSTA warns

Published: 10 April, 2024

The WSTA has issued a warning to hundreds of businesses ahead of May’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) deadline.

Chadwick Family Estates appoints new UK director

Published: 10 April, 2024

Chadwick Family Estates (Chile) have announced the appointment of Georgina Crawley to the position of UK director, intending to grow the business in the independent retail sector.

Visa changes threaten to price out overseas sommeliers

Published: 10 April, 2024

The new minimum salary threshold for hospitality workers has now come into force, meaning that overseas waiters and sommeliers have to earn at least £38,700 in order to qualify for a UK visa.

The Portobello Pub Company acquires Darwin & Wallace

Published: 10 April, 2024

The Portobello Pub Company, the pub and restaurant operator, has completed a deal to purchase the London-based bar-restaurant business, Darwin & Wallace.

Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2024 open for entries

Published: 10 April, 2024

This year’s seventh edition of the UK seminar and blind tasting competition, the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge, will take place on 20 May at 67 Pall Mall in central London. The Challenge has two objectives; to explore technical aspects of winemaking and choose the winning sommelier who will attend the all-expenses paid trip to Champagne later this year.

Jamie Avenell becomes C&C wine trading director

Published: 10 April, 2024

Major drinks distributor C&C Group has promoted Jamie Avenell to the role of wine trading director, taking over from Harriet Kininmonth, who has now joined The Wine Society.

Drinks Trust cycling tour returns for second year

Published: 09 April, 2024

The Harvest Tour, the industry three-day cycling tour in aid of The Drinks Trust will return in September following its successful 2023 launch.

William Grant & Sons launches new high-age whisky brand Wildmoor

Published: 09 April, 2024

Family-owned distiller William Grant & Sons has launched a brand-new premium Scotch whisky brand to market.

Berry Bros improves customer satisfaction with new delivery system

Published: 09 April, 2024

Berry Bros. & Rudd reduced its “where's my order?” queries by 40% in December 2023 courtesy of DispatchTrack, its new routing and order tracking solution.

Wine Advocate appoints British editor-in-chief

Published: 08 April, 2024

Wine Advocate, the bimonthly wine publication founded by Robert Parker in 1978 has appointed a non-American editor-in-chief for the first time in its history.

Club Soda calls for government clarity on low abv drinks

Published: 08 April, 2024

Pro-moderation campaign group Club Soda believes there is an opportunity for growth in low-alcohol drinks, though it is currently being masked by alcohol-free sales and a lack of clarity on what exactly constitutes a low-abv serve.

Government to support SMEs in energy disputes

Published: 08 April, 2024

The government has announced it will support British businesses to settle energy disputes.

30 Under 30 to be announced live at the LWF

Published: 08 April, 2024

30 Under 30 is once again returning to the London Wine Fair (LWF), where we will be announcing this year’s final list live at 12.45pm on Monday 20 May.

Nick Gillett: Staffing issues yet another blow under a government failing hospitality

Published: 08 April, 2024

The UK government recently announced that it would create 20,000 new apprenticeships by reforming the complex, paperwork-fuelled, resource-thirsty apprenticeship levy system for SMEs. A move that should benefit hospitality businesses up and down the country by bringing in new blood at the beginning of their careers. Phrases like ‘cut red tape’ and ‘regulatory burdens slashed’ appear throughout the government’s official, grand announcement – but forgive me if I retain my cynicism for now. This is coming from a government that has done nothing but increase the burden on business. And I’ll come back to that shortly.