News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

50 Best Indies 2026: The full list

Published: 09 January, 2026

Harpers once again presents our 50 Best Indies list, highlighting excellence in merchants across the UK drinks trade.

50 Best Indies 2026: Watch the Top 10 reveal

Published: 09 January, 2026

Last week (5-9 January) we released our 50 Best Indies 2026 results day by day, celebrating the leading UK wine and spirits merchants as we revealed those placed from 50-11.

Drinkaware welcomes proposals for stricter drink driving legislation

Published: 08 January, 2026

Leading charity Drinkaware has welcomed a consultation from the Department for Transport (DfT) which proposes reducing the safe alcohol limit at which driving becomes an offence in England and Wales, as part of a broader strategy to improve road safety in the UK.

Fine wine: Château Rayas flies up Liv-ex Power 100 ranking

Published: 08 January, 2026

Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Château Rayas rose 49 places to fifth place in Liv-ex’s annual Power 100 ranking. The 2025 list ranks the most “influential fine wine brands in the secondary market”, according to the trading platform.

Franck Noguiez joins Grupo Avinea as technical director

Published: 08 January, 2026

Leading Argentinian producer of organic wines Grupo Avinea has taken on Franck Noguiez (pictured) as its new technical director, a role in which he will guide wine production and sustainable development for the group.

50 Best Indies 2026 ranking: 20-11 revealed

Published: 08 January, 2026

This week marks the release of our 50 Best Indies 2026 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.

Wines Unearthed rebrands as Unsigned. ahead of Wine Paris

Published: 08 January, 2026

Wines Unearthed, the platform that connects emerging wine and spirits producers to buyers and distributors, has announced a rebrand to ‘UNSIGNED.’ ahead of its attendance at February’s Wine Paris.

Liberty Wines adds Maison Saint Aix to its portfolio

Published: 07 January, 2026

Leading Provençal producer Maison Saint Aix has appointed distributor Liberty Wines as its UK agent.

50 Best Indies 2026 ranking: 29-21 revealed

Published: 07 January, 2026

This week marks the release of our 50 Best Indies 2026 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.

Hallgarten begins year with two Italian portfolio additions

Published: 07 January, 2026

Wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has bolstered its Italian portfolio by adding both Chianti Classico and Piedmont producers – Querciabella and Elio Grasso, respectively.

Plumpton College pledges £500,000 to support English wine industry

Published: 06 January, 2026

The UK’s longest established wine education provider, Plumpton College, has pledged £500,000 in fully funded training to support the English wine industry and mark its centenary year.

LBW Drinks announces new MD

Published: 06 January, 2026

LBW Drinks, the premium producer of English wines, meads, fruit wines and spirits under the Lime Bay Wine banner, has appointed Wolfgang Sieg-Hogg as MD.

50 Best Indies 2026 ranking: 40-30 revealed

Published: 06 January, 2026

This week marks the release of our 50 Best Indies 2026 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.

New YouGov survey shows continuing demand for low & no

Published: 06 January, 2026

According to The Portman Group's eighth annual survey in partnership with YouGov, 36% of UK adults who drink alcohol regularly or occasionally, consume low & no alcohol products.

Vinexposium reveals V d’Or nominees

Published: 05 January, 2026

Wine Paris organiser Vinexposium has revealed its list of nominees for the third edition of the V d’Or.

50 Best Indies 2026 ranking: 50-41 revealed

Published: 05 January, 2026

This week marks the release of our 50 Best Indies 2026 results, celebrating the leading wine and spirits merchants from across the UK.

New commercial director to drive Society of Vintners growth

Published: 05 January, 2026

The Society of Vintners has hit the ground running in 2026, with the appointment of Claire Greenwood (pictured) as its first commercial director as of 5 January.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Published: 23 December, 2025

With 2025 just about laid to rest, Christmas upon us and 2026 fast looming into view, the Harpers team is signing off for the year to indulge in some well-deserved R&R, and certainly a glass or two (or more) to oil the festive spirit.

When in Rome acquired by North South Wines

Published: 22 December, 2025

UK-based wine distributor North South Wines has announced the acquisition of the When in Rome wine brand, marking a significant addition to its range of sustainable and alternative wine brands.