News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Aldi loses gin court battle to M&S

Published: 29 February, 2024

Discounter Aldi has lost its appeal against a High Court ruling which found it had copied the design of Marks & Spencer’s light-up Christmas gin bottles.

Bibendum spring tasting: ‘English sparkling is working really well’

Published: 29 February, 2024

Bibendum’s annual spring tasting returned to a packed-out Battersea Arts Centre on Tuesday (27 February), showcasing 300 wines via various tasting trails, curated and researched by the company’s insights team.

Julian Momen on ‘re-focusing’ Enotria

Published: 28 February, 2024

Enotria & Coe’s new CEO has spent the months since his inauguration working on honing a back-to-basics approach while refocusing parts of the business which “felt a bit unstructured”.

Mangrove and Hawksmoor partner in gender equality initiative

Published: 28 February, 2024

Spirits Distributor Mangrove Global has partnered with Hawksmoor to launch a new series of seminars to promote gender equality in the drinks trade.

No rates relief for Scottish hospitality

Published: 28 February, 2024

The Scottish Budget for 2024-25 was passed unchanged at Holyrood yesterday (27 February), with hospitality businesses north of the border hanging in the balance.

Q4 restaurant closures highest-ever

Published: 28 February, 2024

Restaurant closures surged to the highest-ever quarterly figure in Q4 2023, according to accountancy firm Price Bailey.

Wines from Spain moves to Canary Wharf for annual tasting

Published: 27 February, 2024

Wines from Spain has announced a change of venue for this year’s annual tasting, The Pelligon in Canary Wharf.

The Wine Society appoints Fiona Hayes and Harriet Kininmonth

Published: 27 February, 2024

In the year it celebrates its 150th anniversary, The Wine Society has announced the appointment of two new wine buyers to its team – Fiona Hayes and Harriet Kininmonth.

Santa Rita Estates bolsters European team

Published: 27 February, 2024

Santa Rita Estates (SRE) has announced the appointment of two new members to its European team: Lucy Ward joins as the head of off-trade sales GB, while Maria Ines Pina assumes the role of export manager for continental Europe.

VSPT bolsters UK subsidiary with new role

Published: 26 February, 2024

South American company VSPT Wine Group has announced an appointment to the brand-new role of sales manager as the business looks to grow its UK subsidiary.

Tax cut would generate £1.6bn for Treasury says SWA

Published: 26 February, 2024

A duty cut to Scotch Whisky and other spirits would generate an extra £1.6bn over five years for public services, a new report has found.

Australian brand buys first ‘Frugal Bottle’ machine

Published: 26 February, 2024

British sustainable packaging company Frugalpac will expand to the Southern Hemisphere following an agreement with Australian drinks brand Mother of Pearl Vodka.

Koshu: Japan’s own ‘English vineyard’ shows its array of styles in the UK

Published: 26 February, 2024

Wines of Koshu returned to its physical tasting last week after a run of Covid-related hiatuses. Now in its 15th year, the event was able to properly showcase its range of styles across the still, sparkling, oaked and orange spectrum.

English wine continues expansion with new Kent winery

Published: 26 February, 2024

Wine firm Wildshark Vineyard has submitted plans for a new winery, visitor centre and hotel in Maidstone, Kent.

Bibendum & Campari shake on Champagne partnership

Published: 23 February, 2024

Bibendum and Campari have teamed up to give a fresh boost to Champagne Lallier, with the Campari-owned house now joining the on-trade distribution’s portfolio of premium brands.

Frost forecasting project receives government backing

Published: 23 February, 2024

A frost forecasting project for grape vines has secured over £300,000 in funding from Innovate UK and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Friday read: Furmint February in the spotlight

Published: 23 February, 2024

With its endless grey skies and pervading gloom, February doesn’t offer much to raise the spirits, but wine lovers can now at least associate the month with Hungary’s best-known grape. Furmint February was launched here six years ago by Wines of Hungary UK to promote awareness and consumption of the variety once best known for sweet Tokaji (Aszu), but now appearing in elegant dry wines from the variety’s native Tokaj region, with its rich volcanic soil, but increasingly across Hungary, including in Somlo and Eger.

Liberty Report: premium on-trade wine sales still below pre-Covid levels

Published: 23 February, 2024

Wholesaler and importer Liberty Wines has released its premium on-trade report covering the two years following the final Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2021.

Château La Coste partners with Berkmann

Published: 23 February, 2024

Château La Coste, the 200ha Provence wine estate, has teamed up with Berkmann Wine Cellars with the aim of increasing its distribution in the UK.

North South Wines marks 10 years with new agencies

Published: 22 February, 2024

North South Wines will celebrate 10 years of business at its upcoming portfolio tasting, marking a new chapter for the B Corp following a recent office move to Bicester and several new agency appointments.