News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Gusbourne Plc sales surge 56% in 2014, but posted a £1m loss for the year

Published: 29 April, 2015

English wine company Gusbourne Plc sales surged 56% for the financial year 2014, but because of expansion investments the company also reported a net loss of over £1m for the same period.

UK GDP slumps to a 3 year low, signalling potential trouble ahead for retailers

Published: 28 April, 2015

The UK's economy grew at its slowest pace in three years, expanding just 0.3% in for the first quarter of the year.

Future of Scotch Whisky "sound", SWA says, but it warns of turbulent Scottish politics

Published: 28 April, 2015

The Scotch Whisky Association has insisted that the long term fundamentals for Scotch are "sound" and well-placed to return to growth once the economies of its export market strengthen

LWF 2015 to host record-breaking 150 UK businesses and offer over 100 programme seminars

Published: 28 April, 2015

London Wine Fair 2015 is set to to host over 150 UK wine businesses and offer more than 100 presentations across the three day fair.

Sparkling wine-on-tap brand Frizzenti strengthens national team

Published: 28 April, 2015

Italian sparkling wine-on-tap brand Frizzenti is building a national sales team with the addition of two sales executives.

Global wine consumption fell in 2014, but shows signs of "stabilisation", OIV says

Published: 28 April, 2015

Global wine consumption has dropped slightly in the last year, according to the latest figures from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) - but overall there are signs of stabilization.

American whiskey category sees 19% value growth in the UK according to Nielsen

Published: 28 April, 2015

American Whiskey is now worth £190m in the UK and saw growth last year of 19% according to Nielsen's most recent beer, wines and spirits data.

French wine cooperative to offer employees shares

Published: 27 April, 2015

A French cooperative, Plaimont Producteurs is set to open up its business to allow employees to become shareholders, which it claims is a first for a wine cooperative.

En primeur: "encouraging signs" from first chateaux to release prices

Published: 27 April, 2015

One of Chateau Lafite's subsidiary châteaux became the first to release prices for en primeur 2014 - and the signs are "encouraging", according to fine wine specialists.

McWilliam's Wines Group launches Evans & Tate' s Expressions range in the UK

Published: 27 April, 2015

The McWilliam's Wines Group is launching a new wine range called Expressions under its Australian Evans & Tate brand at London Wine Fair 2015.

Renaissance Pubs changes its name to Three Cheers Pubs

Published: 27 April, 2015

Independent London pub group Renaissance Pubs has renamed itself the Three Cheers Pubs today following a trademark dispute.

Diageo mulls fate of United Spirits boss Vijay Mallya

Published: 27 April, 2015

Diageo is mulling the fate of United Spirits boss Vijay Mallya, after its Indian- based subsidiary issued a vote of no-confidence in him over the weekend.

Bruichladdich distiller retires after more than 50 years in the industry

Published: 27 April, 2015

Bruichladdich's production director and master distiller is stepping down after 15 years at the Hebridean distillery.

Chilean brand Viña Montes introduces early 'spring harvest' Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 24 April, 2015

Chilean wine brand Vina Montes has introduced a 'spring harvest' Sauvignon Blanc to its range of wines, which is available at Liberty Wines.

Former TWE boss joins new digital TV channel dedicated to wine

Published: 24 April, 2015

David Dearie, the former CEO of Treasury Wine Estate, has joined the board of a new digital TV channel dedicated to wine.

Plumpton College launches first UK wine business degree

Published: 24 April, 2015

Plumpton College is launching the first wine business honours degree in the UK.

Chief of the Week: Ian Harris and the WSET

Published: 24 April, 2015

We raise a glass to The Wine & Spirit Education Trust and chief executive Ian Harris today for all the work that they have been doing over the decades to educate both those in the trade and consumers about wine.

Retail figures slump compared to February, but still up for the year

Published: 24 April, 2015

Retail sale slumped 0.5% last month, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics - but sales are still up 4.2% on the same time last year.

Q&A: Jonathan James talks to Harpers about his new franchise venture of Conviviality Retail

Published: 24 April, 2015

Jonathan James, the convenience store expert who has taken on the franchise of 36 stores acquired by Conviviality Retail from GT News, talks to Harpers.co.uk about his ambitious plans for the business.

Conviviality Retail's franchise boss to consult customers on refit of GT stores

Published: 24 April, 2015

Jonathan James, the convenience store expert who has taken on the franchise of 36 Conviviality Retail's stores, is rolling out a customer consultation process to get customers' input on the refit of its new stores.