News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Dingle Distillery to upscale production

Published: 13 November, 2017

The Dingle Distillery, the craft spirits producer, is launching an investment drive to scale up its production.

Industry calls on Chancellor for duty help

Published: 13 November, 2017

Trade associations have called on Chancellor Philip Hammond not to increase duty rates for the second time in a year.

Ridgeview heralds non-vintage move as it appoints youngest winemaker

Published: 11 November, 2017

Ridgeview Wine Estate has appointed its youngest winemaker to date, Rory Loftus aged 23, as assistant head winemaker amid a key transitional change of its vintage wines to non-vintage.

Behind the scenes: Varietal clones at one of Argentina’s biggest producers

Published: 10 November, 2017

Harpers caught up with pioneering winemaker Santiago Mayorga at Cadus – the premium arm of Nieto Senetiner, one of Argentina’s largest producers – who revealed his experimentation with Malbec clones for the first time.

The week that was

Published: 10 November, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Jacob’s Creek gives Classics collection heritage revamp

Published: 09 November, 2017

Jacob’s Creek has given its Classics collection a makeover intended to make it easier for shoppers to navigate the wine aisle and spot the wines.

KWV repositions itself towards independents and the on-trade

Published: 09 November, 2017

South African wine and spirits giant, KWV, has embarked on a new transition towards selling premium wines in Britain.

Doyle rejoins Bacardi to oversee 'potential' brands and travel retail

Published: 09 November, 2017

Bacardi has made a new appointment in its senior leadership team.

Jascots wine producer receives MW qualification

Published: 09 November, 2017

Jascots Wine Merchants’ exclusive Spanish wine producer Fernando Mora MW was one of 18 new Masters of Wine (MW) to receive the prestigious qualification this week.

CWI reports promising harvest despite wildfires

Published: 09 November, 2017

The Californian Wine Institute (CWI) has confirmed the 2017 harvest is in good shape despite the headline making wildfires that ravaged the North Coast last month.

Wines Unearthed expands to Hong Kong with Vinexpo

Published: 09 November, 2017

Wines Unearthed, known to the industry through the London Wine Fair, is expanding to Asia.

London’s first Prosecco bar poised for Tower Bridge opening

Published: 08 November, 2017

London’s first dedicated Prosecco bar is set to open its doors in February 2018.

Castilla y León hails 2017 harvest as most difficult

Published: 08 November, 2017

The 2017 vintage in Castilla y León has been hailed as one of the most unusual in the region's history, as local vignerons deal with the aftermath of one of the most difficult growing seasons on record.

Former Matthew Clark director and Hammonds launch drinks agency

Published: 08 November, 2017

Chris Jones, former commercial director of Matthew Clark’s brands distribution business, has joined forces with wholesaler Hammonds of Knutsford to launch a UK drinks agency with the aim of uniting bars and brands that “dare to be different”.

Sparkling newcomers turn to fruits and flowers for traditional method launch

Published: 08 November, 2017

As sparkling wine continues to grow in popularity, producers and enthusiasts are increasingly turning to the English countryside to look for sources of inspiration.

Fever-Tree anticipates FY results to be ‘materially’ ahead

Published: 07 November, 2017

Fever-Tree has anticipated that its full year results for the year ending 31 December, 2017 will be “materially ahead” of current market expectations.

Conviviality offensive continues as sales rise across business units

Published: 07 November, 2017

Conviviality continues to demonstrate its buying and selling power via its half-year trading update, which shows positive growth in each of its three newly configured business units.

Friarwood secures distribution deal for Jackson’s Penner-Ash

Published: 07 November, 2017

Friarwood has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for Jackson Family Wines’ (JFW) Oregon winery, Penner Ash Wine Cellars.

New role at GCF puts focus on UK

Published: 07 November, 2017

Major French exporter Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) has appointed a new UK based wine director to oversee the group’s activities outside of France.

Big squeeze tipped for 2018 as lower volumes and tighter margins predicted

Published: 06 November, 2017

What is shaping up to be the smallest vintage in 50 years is predicted to cause a “dramatic decline in wine availability going into 2018”, with the lower-price tiers of the European industry expected to be the worst affected.