News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Kent winery Chapel Down hails "excellent" year as sales rise 21%

Published: 23 April, 2015

English wine producer Chapel Down hailed an "excellent year" after seeing year-on-year sales rise 21% during 2014 to £6.1m.

Pernod Ricard's third quarter results shows sales improving

Published: 23 April, 2015

Sales are improving at Pernod Ricard according to its third quarter financial results, reporting a 2% increase in organic sales to €6.5b and a 6% rise in reported growth for the first 9 months of the financial year.

Portobello Road Gin launches new limited edition

Published: 23 April, 2015

Artisan gin brand Portobello Road gin is to launch a new limited edition gin, after seeing strong growth and growing international demand.

English Wine Project set to open a new bottling plant in the Midlands

Published: 22 April, 2015

The English Wine Project, a winemaking consultancy firm and producer of its own range of wines, is set to open a beer and wine bottling plant in Derby in mid-June.

Former Bibendum head of spirits launches new distribution business

Published: 22 April, 2015

The former head of Bibendum's beer and spirits division is launching his own spirits distribution business in May.

Entrepreneur sets up cycling tours around English vineyards

Published: 22 April, 2015

An entrepreneur has set a up a travel company offering cycling tours of English vineyards.

Tesco 2015 results report a £6.4 billion loss

Published: 22 April, 2015

Tesco has reported the worst annual financial results in the retailer's 96 year history, showing a loss of £6.376bn and underlying profit before tax fall just over 70% for the year.

Wine bottler and wholesaler The Lanchester Group launches first retail shop

Published: 22 April, 2015

Bottling specialist and wholesaler The Lanchester Group has launched its first retail outline in County Durham.

English Wine Week heads north as Birmingham unveils series of events

Published: 21 April, 2015

English Wine Week is set to extend outside its South East heartland this year with a series of events in Birmingham celebrating English wine.

González Byass releases Tio Pepe En Rama 2015 in the UK

Published: 21 April, 2015

Tio Pepe En Rama 2015, a limited edition unfiltered and unclarified fino sherry which is part of the González Byass portfolio, is set to be released at the end of April in the UK.

Roberson Wine showing wine-on-tap range at LWF

Published: 21 April, 2015

Roberson Wine is showcasing its new wine-on-tap range at the London Wine Fair which it launched into the on-trade last summer.

Laphroaig to release limited edition 200th anniversary commemorative whisky

Published: 21 April, 2015

In celebration of Laphroaig's 200th anniversary the iconic Islay single malt scotch maker will be releasing a limited edition 15 year old.

Wine e-retailer boosts online offer as it exceeds crowdfunding target

Published: 21 April, 2015

Online retailer The New Zealand Cellar is set to boost its online offer after achieving more than 20% more than its crowdfunding target.

WSET to receive The Queen's Award for 2015

Published: 21 April, 2015

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust today announced it is set to receive The Queen's Award for Enterprise 2015 in international trade at a reception on the 14 July, 2015 held at the Buckingham Palace.

Google's algorithm change favouring mobile-friendly websites goes into effect tomorrow

Published: 20 April, 2015

Google is set to change its search algorithm this week and it could pose some new challenges for wine and spirit brands, as well as retailers, that do not have mobile-friendly websites.

Rioja 2014 official vintage rated 'good' with increased quantities over last year

Published: 20 April, 2015

The thirtieth officially rated vintage in Rioja was rated 'good' by the control board for the Designated of Origin (DOC) with quantities looking to be higher than the 2013 vintage.

Jacob's Creek launches wine and snack pairing to eliminate 'snobbery' associated with wine

Published: 20 April, 2015

Jacob's Creek is launching a wine and snack pairing 'wheel' with the help of celebrity foodie Jo Pratt to help consumers pick wines that compliment some of the UK's most favourite snacks and remove some of the 'snobbery associated with wine selection.'

The Harrow at Little Bedwyn appoints first sommelier

Published: 20 April, 2015

The Harrow at Little Bedwyn after 16 years has hired Marcin Oziebly to be the dedicated sommelier as well as the general manager for the Michelin Star restaurant.

Alcohol trends now shifting at a rate similar to other lifestyle categories

Published: 20 April, 2015

Alcohol trends are evolving at much more rapid rate than in the past and while they don't follow the fashion industry's seasonal six month cycles, the on-going shifts within the drinks categories are changing at a similar pace as other lifestyle industries, according to Euronmonitor International.

Chief of the Week: Rowan Gormley, new ceo of Majestic Wines

Published: 17 April, 2015

Today we raise a glass to Rowan Gormley one of the key players behind the £70 million acquisition of Naked Wines by Majestic and the new chief executive of the larger Majestic Wines group.