Gin sales boom with 45% growth at Christmas

Gin was the runaway success of the last minute Christmas booze run, with shoppers buying a huge 45% more in the week before the big day than 2016.

Old Forester gets heritage inspired makeover

Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands (BBFB) has given its Old Forester 86 proof expression a heritage inspired revamp.

Liberty Wines bolsters NZ with Marlborough addition

Liberty Wines is bolstering its already strong New Zealand collection in order to keep in step with the continued popularity of Marlborough sauvignon blanc.

Durham Distillery confirms whisky production to start this year

Craft distillery Durham has confirmed it is to start whisky production this year.

H2Vin enters strategic partnership with Bruno Murciano

Wine wholesaler and importer H2Vin has entered into a strategic partnership with Spanish wine specialist and de Vinos owner Bruno Murciano.

London's first bulk wine show opens for business

London’s first bulk wine show is now open for registration, offering buyers, brokers, retailers and producers the chance to find out more about this booming section of the UK wine industry.

Accolade appoints David White UK head of marketing

Accolade Wines has appointed David White to the role of UK marketing director, with effect from January 4th 2018.

WSTA predicts rum sales to have smashed £1bn barrier

UK rum sales are predicted to have broken the £1bn barrier at the end of last year for the first time.

Catering exec and wine enthusiast dies in tragic plane crash

The foodservice industry is mourning the loss of one of its giants this morning, as the world media reports the tragic loss of Richard Cousins, CEO of catering company Compass Group.

Oz government opens Wine Export Grants applications

Brexit and bad harvests could dampen supply of fizz

2018 could be the year that Brits’ love of sparkling catches up with them as experts predict a fizz shortage could be about to descend on the UK.

Ian Harris receives MBE in New Year’s Honours List

Ian Harris, chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), has been awarded MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Harpers

Well, that’s pretty much it for 2017, at least from the team at Harpers, although as we down iQuills until 2018, we know that most of you out there in the trade are still at full tilt, meeting the festive thirst of the public at this busy time of year.

New food and pairing app for Cognac

The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) has launched the first cognac and food-pairing app.

Farr Vintners reports strong trading

Fine wine trader Farr Vintners has reported its turnover for 2017 is up 25.5% hitting £96M.

Hayman’s Gin creates UK sales team

Hayman’s Gin has revealed plans to create a UK sales team to support its ambitions for the home market.

Distell sells Bisquit Cognac brand to Campari

Distell has agreed to sell its Bisquit Dubouche et Ci Cognac business to Campari Group for €52.5m.

Nepenthe re-introduces flavour of Adelaide Hills to the UK

Premium Australian winery Nepenthe has re-introduced a selection of cool climate wines from its Altitude and Pinnacle collections to the UK seven years after distribution stalled.

Australia Day Tasting returns with special guest

The annual Australia Day Tasting (ADT) returns to the UK in January in its usual slot – but this year will feature a special guest.

Harpers’ Shop Rioja winners help deliver big value uplift

This year’s Shop Rioja winners Cork’s Out and Mumbles Fine Wines helped drive an 82.5% increase in volume sales, with an impressive average sale price per bottle of £18.50, across the 100 independent outlets involved in the promotion.