News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The week that was

Published: 17 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.

New openings boost Be At One performance

Published: 16 November, 2017

Cocktail bar Be At One has posted a 24% jump in turnover - up £7.1m, to £36.9m for the year ending 2 April, 2017.

The vintage before the storm: Rhône 2016 primeur tasting

Published: 16 November, 2017

Yesterday’s Thorman Hunt & Co Ltd Rhône 2016 en primeur vintage tasting made overtures of incomparable quality, promising the likes of which tasters have not seen before.

Vindependents sets date for spirits launch

Published: 16 November, 2017

Vindependents has confirmed it will start importing spirits to the UK for the first time from January 2018.

Small Cognac producers raise the spirit to a new audience

Published: 16 November, 2017

A new generation of Cognac producers has raised the double-distilled spirit to a new audience in the UK, providing the on-trade and independent wine merchants with a fresh alternative to the handful of big brands that dominate the buoyant global cognac market.

BNIC unveils new identity for Cognac

Published: 15 November, 2017

Cognac has unveiled a new brand identity for the region designed to highlight its authenticity and heritage.

New LWF exhibitor area to focus on “cutting edge” drinks technology

Published: 15 November, 2017

More changes have been added to the London Wine Fair as organisers say they have been “challenged to drive innovation” within the drinks category.

Supreme Court clears path for 50p-per-unit minimum pricing in Scotland

Published: 15 November, 2017

Scotland is set to become the first country to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) on alcohol after the UK Supreme Court rejected a challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Wine companies join forces to call for wine duty freeze

Published: 15 November, 2017

UK wine businesses have joined forces to call for a freeze to wine duty at the Budget next week.  

Uruguay’s winemakers target UK 'global shop window'

Published: 14 November, 2017

As an Atlantic-cooled nation of just 3.4 million people, Uruguay and its winemakers are keenly aware of the need to differentiate its wine offer from that of the country's major South American rivals, viewing the UK as an unrivalled platform to achieve that aim.

Investment firm acquires share in top cava producer ahead of UK push

Published: 14 November, 2017

Scranton Enterprises plans to boost premium Cava exports to the UK following its acquisition of shares in leading Cava producer Juvé & Camps, the capital investment company’s CEO has told Harpers. “We believe the UK is a high potential market for Juvé & Camps, as premium Cava offers the same quality experience of champagne at a slightly lower price point,” said Luca Tassan, CEO of Scranton Enterprises. Speaking exclusively to Harpers, Tassan said: “We have made an investment in Juvé & Camps to support some of the family members on their plans to continue to grow the Premium Cava sector and expand internationally,” he said. “The strategy for the cava estate will be to build on the organic attributes of the Reserva (minimum 30 months ageing) and grow in the US, UK and northern European countries,” he said.

Hallgarten banks on the Burgundy stars of tomorrow

Published: 14 November, 2017

Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines has overhauled its Burgundy list to put a greater focus on rising stars and lesser-known appellations.

Hammer to fall on Scottish minimum pricing

Published: 14 November, 2017

A landmark ruling in the long-running battle over minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland will be made on Wednesday morning (15 November) by the UK Supreme Court.

Former Distell brand director takes over as chair of WOSA

Published: 13 November, 2017

Wines of South Africa has announced a new a new appointment to the role of non-executive chair.

New venue and new look for Wines from Spain annual London tasting

Published: 13 November, 2017

The sweeping London views from the Sky Garden at the sky-scraping ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building in The City will form the backdrop to this year’s Wines from Spain tasting, announcing a new look and fresh format for the popular annual tasting.

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.