News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo launches special releases 2023 collection

Published: 18 September, 2023

Diageo, a global leader in premium drinks, has today unveiled its Spirited Xchange Special Releases Scotch Whisky collection

Amathus announces plans for two new stores

Published: 18 September, 2023

Top merchant Amathus Drinks, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this month, has revealed plans to open two new stores at the start of 2024, expanding its brick-and-mortar offering to 11.

Nick Gillett: The sexist spirits sector – why we need to do better

Published: 18 September, 2023

Those of you who saw the recent Our Whisky Foundation survey results highlighting inequality in the whisky industry, will understand me when I say: I was not only shocked, but also ashamed. I suddenly felt very naïve, having previously believed that the spirits industry had made progress in terms of equality and equity, but the findings delivered by the research suggest otherwise.

Friday Read: Trebbiano strikes back

Published: 15 September, 2023

Trebbiano. The word sends a shiver down the spine of any self-respecting wine geek – this ubiquitous white grape is about as popular as typhus in snob circles. A sommelier acquaintance of mine (who wishes to remain anonymous) once described Trebbiano Toscano, to use its full moniker, as “Italy's viticultural embarrassment” and other unrepeatable epithets. But are they being a little harsh?

Sign up now for Wines from Spain inaugural summit

Published: 15 September, 2023

There is still time to register for the Spain Food Nation Summit 2023, where Harpers will be chairing a brand-new event in central London to showcase the quality of Spain’s food and vinous offer.

Chile ramps up focus on innovation at London tasting

Published: 15 September, 2023

First time visitors to this year’s Wines of Chile annual tasting in London could be forgiven for thinking that this is a country in a permanent state of evolution, often operating at the fringes of established viticulture to drive a rolling agenda of innovation.

Naked Wines press tasting: 'The next big thing is Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone'

Published: 15 September, 2023

From start-up to grown-up, Naked Wines’ press tasting in central London boasted a growing range of French classics to complement its portfolio of independent winemakers from across the world.

LWC and Hills Prospect aim for ‘best-in-class’ partnership

Published: 15 September, 2023

LWC Drinks and Hills Prospect, both regulars on Harpers 50 Best Wholesalers list, have described how their new partnership will strengthen their overall customer proposition and leverage their individual skills, as LWC looks to increase its foothold in the crucial area of London and the South East.

73 venues listed in the Green Pub Guide

Published: 14 September, 2023

The Green Pub Guide, in association with Heineken, has returned for a second year and features 73 British pubs, bars and restaurants that have taken steps to reduce their environmental impact.

Wine Australia targets 40% emissions reduction by 2030

Published: 13 September, 2023

A newly released Emissions Reduction Roadmap for the Australian grape and wine sector has outlined steps to reduce the sector’s carbon emissions by more than 40% before 2030.

Portuguese diversity on show as exports rise

Published: 12 September, 2023

The breadth of Portugal’s diversity was on full show in London yesterday, where lower yields, good value and newly emerging grape varieties formed an interesting picture of one of the world’s fastest growing-in-popularity regions.

Three £1,000 prizes up for grabs at Feliz Rioja

Published: 12 September, 2023

Now in its third year, Rioja Wine Month is returning this November with a festive twist, to encourage consumers to keep the region in mind when gifting in the run-up to Christmas.

Coterie Holdings appoints Michael Saunders as CEO

Published: 12 September, 2023

Coterie Holdings, the holding company for fine wine merchant Lay & Wheeler, bonded storage facility Coterie Vaults, and wine lending business Jera, has announced the appointment of Michael Saunders as its CEO.

New BSI guidelines will improve quality of UK and Irish whisky

Published: 11 September, 2023

The Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish whisky industries have agreed on a consistent method of production to ensure quality is consistent across the entire category.

Ellis Wharton Wines joins Harpers Sustainability Charter

Published: 11 September, 2023

Ellis Wharton Wines has become the latest signatory to the Harpers Sustainability Charter, an initiative designed to galvanise the trade into climate action.

Christopher Taverner passes away

Published: 11 September, 2023

Christopher Taverner, who had worked in the drinks trade since 1962, died peacefully aged 86 after battling a short illness.

Languedoc AOP targets UK market

Published: 11 September, 2023

A regional appellation that stretches from Collioure, near the Spanish border, to the gates of Nîmes, Languedoc AOP has established itself as one of the foremost French wine appellations in the last 15 years, particularly in the export market.

Symington predicts ‘high quality vintage’ in Douro

Published: 11 September, 2023

With the red grapes still coming in across various estates, leading producer Symington Family Estates is predicting one of the best Douro vintages in recent years.

Berry Bros. & Rudd champions sustainability pioneers with new Collective

Published: 11 September, 2023

Historic London-based merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd is revamping its spirits portfolio, with the launch of The Collective, a new annual release of spirits, which brings together a group of like-minded distillers.

Hospitality sales struggle amidst inflation despite 6.7% increase

Published: 08 September, 2023

According to the latest UKHospitality Quarterly Sales Tracker, turnover was up 6.7% in the last year to £137billion but, compared to 2019, remains almost 20% behind in real terms, when accounting for inflation.