News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Naked Wines boosts Majestic half year performance

Published: 23 November, 2017

Majestic Wine said it is ready to “put our foot on the gas and accelerate growth” on unveiling its half year results today.

Burgundy varieties predicted to thrive in Languedoc

Published: 22 November, 2017

The Languedoc is set to become one of the key regions for growing Burgundian varieties over the next decade, according to winemaker Laurent Delaunay of Abbotts and Delauney.

Budget: duty frozen on wines, spirits and beers

Published: 22 November, 2017

Duty on wines, spirits and beers is to be frozen, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in today’s budget, allaying trade fears of another rise in line with inflation.

UKs first Cognac Show launched by Whisky Exchange

Published: 22 November, 2017

The UK’s first ever Cognac Show tasting will take place next April 2018, Harpers can reveal.

Extremadura Cava producers challenge Catalonia in fight for further planting rights

Published: 22 November, 2017

Cava producers in Extremadura, South West Spain, are fighting a move from the Spanish government to ban further plantings of Cava grapes until beyond 2020.

New features and venue for annual NZ tasting

Published: 22 November, 2017

The New Zealand Winegrowers is to hold its Annual Trade Tasting in January at a new venue with a range of new features.

Crown Cellars push to highlight spirits portfolio with Thinking Drinkers

Published: 22 November, 2017

In response to what it describes as “massive changes” in the market, Carlsberg’s wine division Crown Cellars has teamed up with the Thinking Drinkers to bring its premium spirits portfolio to greater prominence alongside its wines with the launch of Spirits.

Scotland sets date for minimum unit pricing

Published: 22 November, 2017

Scotland intends to introduce a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol on 1 May 2018 at 50p per unit.

Benevolent invites bidders to register for Thanksgiving Day fundraiser auction

Published: 21 November, 2017

Drinks charity The Benevolent is launching a ‘Thanks for Giving’ silent auction on 23 November to raise funds.

Cava de Paraje ambitions announced with lofty London launch

Published: 21 November, 2017

The apex of The City’s Gherkin building provided a suitably swish setting for the UK launch of the new Cava de Paraje Calificado on Monday, signalling the quality-focused ambition of Penedes leading sparkling winemakers.

Chancellor Philip Hammond labelled “scrooge”

Published: 21 November, 2017

Philip Hammond is being labelled a “scrooge” after it was revealed he will be one of the worst Chancellors to tax the wine and spirit sector if he pursues the planned increase in the Budget tomorrow (Wednesday, 22 November).

Adelaide Hills' Nepenthe talks climate and varietal evolution ahead of UK re-launch

Published: 21 November, 2017

Adelaide Hills is one of the most prominent of South Australia’s high-altitude regions, with elevation of up to 450m and winds from the Gulf st Vincent coast helping to temper the Aussie sunshine and produce some seriously cool, cool climate wines.

Marrenon returns to the UK after 7 year hiatus

Published: 20 November, 2017

Marrenon, the southeast France producer, is re-launching its portfolio in the UK with ambitions to become the leading Luberon and Ventoux winery.

Spanish give English Albariño wine the thumbs up

Published: 20 November, 2017

Chapel Down Winery in Kent is the only UK vineyard to make a wine from 100% Albariño – a grape associated with Galicia in northwest Spain.

Prosecco DOC gears up for approval of new ‘Brutnature’ description

Published: 17 November, 2017

The Prosecco DOC Consortium has revealed it is hoping to get approval for the use of a new Prosecco description - Brutnature, on labels in 2018.

Xavier Rousset gets personal with new members club

Published: 17 November, 2017

London restaurateur and sommelier extraordinaire Xavier Rousset is branching out with his first wine club.

“Underrated and under-priced” Beaujolais gets a kick out from under Georges Duboeuf’s shadow

Published: 17 November, 2017

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is long past its heyday in the late 1980s when merchants made a mad dash to southern France to pick up the first release of the year. In 2017, however, London’s restaurants, bars and independents are using the day as a way to celebrate the region’s unsung heroes.

Savage Vines expands subscription service with new duo format

Published: 17 November, 2017

Savage Vines has added a duo pack to its online wine subscription service to keep the sales momentum of its exclusively sourced wines going.

Corney & Barrow drives growth through Merchant Business

Published: 17 November, 2017

Best known for its high end ‘By Royal Appointment’ fine wine, broker and private customer business, Corney & Barrow is striving to raise the profile of its trade business, which accounts for an increasing part of its 60m turnover year.