News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

EU Parliament backs mandatory calorie labelling proposal

Published: 30 April, 2015

Yesterday members of the European Parliament voted to table a proposal that by the end of 2016 all alcoholic drinks have calorie content labels.

Waitrose sees sales of English wine soar

Published: 30 April, 2015

Sales of English wine at Waitrose nearly doubled in 2014, and the retailer has reported an increase of 177% in the last week.

Italian restaurant Carluccio's launches online wine shop

Published: 29 April, 2015

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio has launched an online wine shop as part of a revamp of its website which goes live today.

Absolut vodka to modernise its iconic bottle

Published: 29 April, 2015

Absolut is making design changes to its iconic bottle that helped make the brand famous in 1979, "making it ready to face the future."

Demand for premium Australian wine drives rise in exports

Published: 29 April, 2015

Exports of Australian wine rose in volume and value terms last year, driven by higher priced wines, the latest figures from the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA) show.

XPO Logistics acquisition of Norbert Dentressangle could benefit wine importers

Published: 29 April, 2015

XPO Logistics is to acquire Norbert Dentressangle, a leading global provider of contract logistics, freight brokerage and transportation services in a move that could benefit UK wine importers through improved customer service and the availability of a broader logistic network.

Washington State winery partners with French winemakers to launch transatlantic wine brand

Published: 29 April, 2015

A US winery has partnered with Rhône winemakers Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie to launch a new trans-Altantic wine range.

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.