News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Kingston Estate launches "next generation" of private-label wines at ProWein

Published: 14 March, 2016

South Australian winery Kingston Estate is launching three new Living Brands at ProWein this week.

ProWein 2016: 'Wine needs to be more daring,' says Origin Wines founder

Published: 14 March, 2016

Origin Wines founder Bernard Fontannaz at the first day of ProWein called on the UK wine trade to be more daring and try new packaging and product ideas for the off-trade in a effort to engage more with consumers.

ProWein 2016: Casella Family Brands sets up European subsidiary and launches new brand

Published: 14 March, 2016

Casella Family Brands, owner of [yellow tail] and Peter Lehmann wines, has established Casella Family Brands Europe Limited in Cambridgeshire with an expected launch date of May 2016.

UK Scotch drinkers pay double in tax across EU

Published: 11 March, 2016

Research from the Scotch Whisky Association has revealed the full extent to which the UK's Scotch drinkers are over-taxed.

UK sales of sparkling wines hit £1 billion for first time

Published: 11 March, 2016

Sales of sparking wines in the UK - excluding Champagne - hit £1 billion for the first time in 2015, according to figures released today by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Good Provence 2015 harvest bolsters growing rosé market

Published: 11 March, 2016

The 2015 harvest in Provence produced 1.308 million hectolitres, according to the latest figures from the region's marketing body, the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence.

Golden age for British gin as 49 distilleries open in 2015

Published: 11 March, 2016

The full scale of the gin boom underway in the UK has been revealed for the first time.

Co-op look to UK bottling to safeguard consumer availability

Published: 11 March, 2016

"We want to be the best at Convenience," is the stated aim of the Co-operative BWS team. With the convenience sector showing market growth, the Co-operative is launching a new initiative to implement clustered ranging plans across its portfolio of over 4000 stores, and aims for "excellence in execution" on product availability.

California, Oregon and Washington wines shine at Go West Tasting

Published: 11 March, 2016

At yesterday's Go West! annual tasting California, Oregon and Washington wines emphasised that wines from west coast of the USA are gaining traction in the UK market.

Profits slashed at Stock Spirits as Polish market woes take their toll

Published: 10 March, 2016

FTSE-250 Central and Eastern European branded spirits producer Stock Spirits posted disappointing 2015 results today on the back of problems in the pivotal Polish market.

Premium Malfy GDQI aims to bring Italian sunshine to UK gin category

Published: 10 March, 2016

Premium Italian gin Malfy GQDI has launched in the UK - backed the claim that Italy is the true homeland of gin.

Skin Côntact reveals vocalists for eagerly anticipated comeback show

Published: 10 March, 2016

UK wine-trade supergroup Skin Côntact, which is reforming in aid of Wine Relief at London's Islington Academy on Thursday, May 12, has announced the names of the first five vocalists to appear with them.

Good news for Morrisons as group returns to profit

Published: 10 March, 2016

Big-four multiple retailer Morrisons bounced back into profit last year, according to figures released by the group today.

Matthew Clark's annual tasting draws a record number of attendees

Published: 10 March, 2016

Matthew Clark's annual portfolio tasting held this week at London's Tobacco Dock drew a crowd and saw visitors numbers soar 40% over last year's attendance numbers.

Limited edition Ketel One release marks distillery's 325th birthday

Published: 09 March, 2016

Diageo Reserve Brand Ketel One Vodka is releasing a limited edition bottle to celebrate the Nolet family distillery's 325th anniversary.

Funkin partners with Cocktail Trading Co on Cocktails in the City serve

Published: 09 March, 2016

Cocktail-mixer producer Funkin is partnering with the Cocktail Trading Co on a new cocktail at this year's Cocktails in the City event in London.

Catalyst to launch Spanish best seller Larios Gin in the UK

Published: 09 March, 2016

Catalyst Brands is to take on Spain's Larios Gin in the UK as part of a partnership with Beam Suntory which begins on April 1.

Boutinot adds Cline Cellars to US portfolio

Published: 09 March, 2016

Leading on- and off-trade supplier Boutinot has added California's Cline Cellars to its US portfolio.

Asda continues slump as Tesco steadies in contracting market

Published: 08 March, 2016

The ongoing contraction in the UK's supermarket continued through February, according to the latest data from Nielsen, with sales down 0.8% by volume and 1.1% by value.