News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Friday read: Vodka – more than a mixer

Published: 14 March, 2025

Anna Hamill, London MD for drinks brand specialist Denomination, explains how vodka can overcome its 'generic' European image.

Cautious optimism as Bibendum-owner C&C sees earnings growth

Published: 14 March, 2025

C&C Group, the drinks manufacturer-distributor whose ownership portfolio includes Matthew Clark Bibendum, Tennent’s Lager and Bulmer’s cider, saw its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increase to €76-78mn for the 12 months ending 28 February 2025. This compares to €60mn for the same period the previous year.

Four Seasons appoints new head of bars

Published: 14 March, 2025

The Four Seasons Hotel at Tower Bridge has appointed top mixologist Michele Lombardi to lead the drinks offer at one of the group’s key London locations.

Barbara Palacios appointed head winemaker at Bodegas Casa La Rad

Published: 13 March, 2025

Barbara Palcios López-Montenegro of the acclaimed winemaking Palacios family has taken up the position of head winemaker at Bodegas Casa La Rad, Rioja’s largest wine estate.

WSET and Equal Measures partner in diversity initiative

Published: 13 March, 2025

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the global leader in drinks education, has announced a partnership with the Equal Measures (EM) non-profit aiming to increase diversity in the spirits trade.

Dismay across Atlantic as EU tariffs on US whiskey introduced

Published: 13 March, 2025

The EU’s announcement of a slate of retaliatory tariffs from 1 April on certain US imports has included a 50% tariff on American whiskey and other US spirits. The decision was part of the institution’s response to the Trump government’s recent tariffs on European steel and aluminium.

Bancroft bolsters Rioja offering with Alavesa winery addition

Published: 12 March, 2025

Bodegas Javier San Pedro has been added to Bancroft Wine’s portfolio. The addition of the Rioja Alavesa producer sees Bancroft expand their Rioja range.

Cava giant Raventós Codorníu achieves B Corp status

Published: 12 March, 2025

Raventós Codorníu, the winery group known for its industry-leading Codorníu Cava, has been certified as a B Corp company by B Lab Spain after achieving a score of 88.5 points, well above the 80 points needed to gain the accolade.

Mounting costs drive hospitality confidence to two-year low

Published: 12 March, 2025

Hospitality business confidence has hit a low not seen since October 2022, when inflation peaked at a 40-year high.

Drinks Trust wellbeing initiative sees positive first year

Published: 12 March, 2025

The Business Advisory Programme (BAP) was launched by The Drinks Trust in late 2023 to help drinks and hospitality businesses place wellbeing at the heart of their people strategy. In its first year 14 companies representing 3,500 industry employees have joined while 46 wellbeing champions have been trained.

Symington partners for first foray into Vinho Verde

Published: 12 March, 2025

Leading port house Symington Family Estates has partnered with winemaker Anselmo Mendes to produce Casa de Rodas Alvarinho 2023, its first ever Vinho Verde.

Mangrove appoints Kealan Lafferty as new brand ambassador

Published: 11 March, 2025

The UK spirits distributor Mangrove Global has announced the appointment of Kealan Lafferty as its new brand ambassador within the company’s world whisky team. His role will see him promote Mangrove’s selection of global whiskys to members of the on-trade.

Sazerac Barrel Select: unique initiative set for UK launch

Published: 11 March, 2025

The US spirits company Sazerac will allow UK customers to partake for the first time in its barrel select programme. The initiative, which officially launches next Tuesday (18 March) will allow customers to hand-pick and purchase a barrel of one of Sazerac’s spirit brands, including their Buffalo Trace bourbon.

Domaine du Météore gains Bibendum distribution

Published: 10 March, 2025

Domaine du Météore – which, as the name suggests, is grown in and around a meteor crater – has joined Bibendum’s portfolio of wine producers. The producer’s wines will now be distributed through Bibendum to the on-trade and independent merchants through Walker & Wodehouse in England & Wales.

Graham Beck gains new winemaker in Lizemari Geldenhuys

Published: 10 March, 2025

The South African Cap Classique producer, Graham Beck, has added Lizemari Geldenhuys to the position of winemaker, having joined the sparkling wine producer in January 2025.

International Women’s Day: ‘There’s more to logistics than driving a forklift’

Published: 10 March, 2025

In what is still perhaps the most male dominated part of the wine and spirits industry, Jane Renwick, director of fine wine at London City Bond (LCB), is on a mission to imbue women with the confidence to pursue a career in warehousing and logistics as part of the celebrations for International Women’s Day (8 March).

Mick O’Connell joins Bonhams in head of wine role

Published: 10 March, 2025

Mick O’Connell MW has been appointed as head of wine UK & Europe at global auctioneer Bonhams, with a remit to drive growth strategies across those territories.

Argentine adventure: Condor tasting highlights diversity of expressions

Published: 10 March, 2025

At the Amanda Barnes MW hosted Condor Wines Argentinian Extremes virtual tasting, two winemakers, Elías López Montero from the Patagonian Alto Valle de Río Negro and Pancho Lavaque from the northern Salta region, highlighted the tasting diversity afforded by Argentina's diverse climate and geography.

Hennings pulls record attendance at 65th anniversary tasting

Published: 10 March, 2025

West Sussex independent Hennings Wine Merchants has bucked the generally subdued mood enveloping the on-trade by delivering its busiest annual trade tasting to date.

Autumn Budget to cost Wetherspoon £60m

Published: 07 March, 2025

The first Labour-backed Budget of the new government is expected to have a significant impact on the balance sheet of popular pub group J D Wetherspoon, just as the company was on track to return to steady growth.