News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Joe Wadsack named IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year

Published: 16 March, 2016

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has named Joe Wadsack its Wine Communicator of the Year for 2016 award.

UK launch for Barcelona Spirits Brands four-strong 5th Gin range

Published: 16 March, 2016

Barcelona Spirit Brands has announced the launch of all four of its 5th Gin range in the UK.

ONS adds cream liqueurs to national shopping basket

Published: 16 March, 2016

Cream liqueurs such as Bailey's have been added to the nation's shopping basket by the Office of National Statistics.

Budget 2016: Duty on beer, cider and spirits frozen; wine duty to rise

Published: 16 March, 2016

Today the Chancellor George Osborne froze the duty on beer, cider and whisky, but wine will see duty rise at the same rate of inflation as part of Budget 2016.

Sainsbury's posts first quarterly sales rise for two years

Published: 15 March, 2016

Sainsbury's has posted its first quarter of growth for over two years, amid signs that health is returning to the UK's beleaguered multiple retailers.

Prowein 2016: Wine Australia's record presence at show reflects global growth of premium exports

Published: 15 March, 2016

Australia increased its stand space at Prowein by 30% this year, with some 46 exhibitors showing wines from 21 producing regions, aiming to build upon a renewed confidence rooted in growing global exports, including strong premium sales to Asia and growth in the US.

Prowein 2016: "English sparkling wine ready to take on Champagne" says Hambledon's Ian Kellett

Published: 15 March, 2016

English sparkling wine producers are on bullish form with a strong presence at ProWein reflecting a confidence in an industry that is looking to grow its production and exports significantly over the next couple of decades.

Campari strengthens premium spirit portfolio with Grand Marnier acquisition

Published: 15 March, 2016

Italy's Gruppo Campari is to acquire the producer of Grand Marnier as part of a friendly takeover which values the business at £537 million.

ProWein 2016: Anticipated record breaking visitor numbers at ProWein

Published: 15 March, 2016

On the final day of ProWein, a trade show considered by some to be one of the most important wine business trade fairs in the world, visitors numbers are expected to exceed last year's attendees figures.

Fever-Tree riding high on premium gin trend

Published: 14 March, 2016

Pioneering premium mixer supplier Fever-Tree continued its exponential rise in 2015 - its first full year of trading as a listed company - according to results announced today.

Laphroaig honours 200-year legacy with latest release

Published: 14 March, 2016

The Laphroaig distillery on the Isle of Islay's southern coast is to launch a new single malt, described as its "richest ever".

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.