News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spanish DO Valdepeñas reports 5% drop in harvest

Published: 18 October, 2017

DO Valdepeñas has reported a 5% year-on-year drop in this year’s harvest, ending the season with a total of 93.4 million kilos of grapes.

Plumpton College boosts wine team with new experts

Published: 18 October, 2017

Plumpton College, in East Sussex, has strengthened its wine business and production teaching team with the appointment of two international wine experts.

Conviviality Group CFO Humphreys steps down

Published: 18 October, 2017

Conviviality this morning announced its group chief financial officer Andrew Humphreys will step down from the board 30th October.

How the “crazy” state of Prosecco’s 23p price erosion could be about to change

Published: 17 October, 2017

The media last week widely reported that the average price for a bottle of Prosecco has fallen a further 23p over past year as competition drives down prices.

Rías Baixas hit by wildfires

Published: 17 October, 2017

Galicia’s Rías Baixas wine board is assessing the extent of damage to vineyards caused by wildfires, which have raged in Portugal and Spain since the weekend, killing more than 30 people.

Update: Wildfires in California

Published: 17 October, 2017

Less than ten of the approximately 1,200 wineries in the most impacted regions – Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino, have been destroyed or heavily damaged by the wildfires in northern California, according to the latest update.

New research backs up trend for drinking less

Published: 17 October, 2017

Almost half (44%) of British people are drinking less when going out, new research from purchasing company Beacon has revealed.

Codorníu reveals plans to move HQ from Catalonia to Rioja

Published: 17 October, 2017

Spanish wine and cava giant Codorníu has announced it is moving its holding company’s headquarters from Catalonia to Rioja over the "uncertainty" surrounding the political conflict between Spain and Catalonia.

Bottega dabbles in Vermouth

Published: 16 October, 2017

Italian prosecco producer Bottega has launched into the Vermouth market with the launch of Vermouth Bianco Bottega and Vermouth Rosso Bottega.

TWE turns spotlight on Wolf Blass

Published: 16 October, 2017

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has launched a £500,000 push for Wolf Blass, including TV spots celebrating its award-winning history.

Number of Napa wineries damaged by wildfires rises

Published: 16 October, 2017

The number of Napa wineries damaged by the wildfires ravaging northern California continued to rise this weekend, with the fires yet to be defeated.

WSTA warns of further hefty price hikes if duty is not frozen

Published: 16 October, 2017

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned of further wine and spirit price hikes if the Chancellor fails to freeze duty in the November Budget.

Berlin bar show breaks records ahead of NYC launch

Published: 13 October, 2017

As a barometer of the spirits and cocktail world, this week’s edition of Bar Convent Berlin revealed a sector in rude health, with record numbers of visitor and exhibitors attending a heavily over-subscribed event.

How consumer on-trade spend could top 2016 this Christmas

Published: 13 October, 2017

Forecasters are predicting that bars and pubs could be set to exceed last year's Christmas takings, despite continued “shaky” consumer confidence post-Brexit.

The week that was

Published: 13 October, 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.

UK trade reaches out as Cali fire claims homes, lives and historic vineyards

Published: 12 October, 2017

The UK trade has begun to rally around its friends and colleagues in California where fire continues to wreak havoc on residents and businesses.

CAP to double local partnerships to 300

Published: 12 October, 2017

The Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) has unveiled plans to double its number of local partnerships, aimed at tackling underage drinking, to 300 in the next four years.