News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Disaronno liqueur releases Versace-designed bottle

Published: 02 October, 2014

Amaretto liqueur Disaronno has partnered with fashion house Versace to create a designer look for its bottle.

Ex-Tesco wine technical head Andy Gale joins Concha y Toro

Published: 01 October, 2014

Concha y Toro UK has appointed Tesco's former technical manager for wine, Andy Gale, to head up its new business and technical development.

The Benevolent's Northern Ball is a must for all James Bond fans

Published: 01 October, 2014

You may not get the chance to dine out with Daniel Craig anytime soon, but if you fancy a night dressing up like him and taking your chances on the roulette wheel then the Benevelont Northern Ball is the place for you.

Sainsbury's to switch to a mid-low pricing strategy as sales continue to fall

Published: 01 October, 2014

Sainsbury's is to start comparing and benchmarking its pricing levels against Asda rather than Tesco as it looks to switch to a new mid-low pricing strategy following a fall in sales for the third quarter in a row.

UK wine buyers warn Burgundy will struggle to regain market share as exports plummet

Published: 01 October, 2014

Top UK wine buyers warn Burgundy will struggle to regain shelf space as figures reveal exports to the UK have halved in 2014, following last year's short harvest.

Fifth annual London Cocktail Week expects to attract 25,000 people

Published: 01 October, 2014

The fifth annual London Cocktail Week, scheduled for October 6 -12, 2014, is expected to draw up to 25,000 attendees throughout the week.

Copestick Murray appoints Samantha Cross as I Heart Wines brand manager

Published: 01 October, 2014

Copestick Murray has appointed Samantha Cross as brand manager for its I Heart range of wines, following the departure of Rachel Archer, who moved to Off Piste Wines in June.

Treasury's Lindeman's wine brand gets new look

Published: 01 October, 2014

Treasury Wine Estates is overhauling its Lindeman's wine range to reflect the brand's 170 years of heritage.

WSTA chief slams new Sheffield study for ignoring already falling alcohol consumption

Published: 01 October, 2014

The WSTA chief has criticised a new report into minimum pricing which says the measure would be 50 times more effective than the below-cost selling ban, for "ignoring the reality" that alcohol consumption is already falling.

Robert Parker to host 100 point London tasting as part of a world tour

Published: 30 September, 2014

Robert Parker, the legendary US wine critic, is to host a special tasting in London in February 2015 as part of a world tour of exclusive tastings for his Wine Advocate magazine.

Anthony Rose on the story behind his new Tapas Bar Guide

Published: 30 September, 2014

I met Isabel Cuevas seven years ago in Yamanashi, Japan's wine country, as you do. We got on like the proverbial house on fire and we kept in touch when she moved to England to join her husband-to-be, both, incidentally from the rural Spanish wilds of Extremadura. Thanks to her natural affinity for Spanish food and gastronomy and my love of Spanish wine, it took us no longer than you can say croqueta to decide that we should collaborate on a guide to tapas bars in the UK. Of course it would mean eating and drinking our way around our favourite tapas watering holes, but someone has to do it, as they say, so why not us?

Bombay Sapphire opens distillery doors tomorrow

Published: 30 September, 2014

The new Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire is set to open its doors to the public tomorrow for the very first time.

Tesco moves five of Finest wine range to 1.5 litre bag-in-box

Published: 30 September, 2014

Tesco has moved five of its most popular bottled wines from its Finest range into 1.5 litre bag-in-box, after seeing growth in the format.

Tesco debt and credit ratings in question following accounting crisis

Published: 30 September, 2014

Tesco's senior unsecured long-term debt rating and its short-term credit rating was placed "on review for a downgrade" by credit rating agency Moody's Investor Service following the announcement that it had overstated its profits for the first six months by an estimated £250 million.

Buyers should beware of storm damage when sourcing New Zealand's 2014 wines

Published: 30 September, 2014

New Zealand's 2014 vintage resulted from "near perfect" conditions, but winemakers have warned buyers to take care as some Marlborough estates battled to harvest before Cyclone Ita hit.

Chance for "Harpers Rising Stars" to win a grant for Wine Vision

Published: 30 September, 2014

Harpers is giving talented, rising stars in the global wine industry the chance to take part in this November's Wine Vision conference by applying for a special Harpers grant.

Moët & Chandon joins Europe's celebrations at the Ryder Cup

Published: 29 September, 2014

Europe's victory in this weekend's Ryder Cup brought smiles not only to golf fans across the continent, but to the marketing team at Moët & Chandon whose sponsorship of the event resulted in priceless images of the winning team celebrating with its Champagne appearing in the international press around the world.

Aldi announces record 65% jump in profits as it attracts 1m new customers

Published: 29 September, 2014

Aldi, the German hard discount chain, has returned record sales in the UK with profits up 65% and the promise of even more price cuts that are acting as a wrecking ball through the figures of the major multiples.

Quintessential Brands appoints Francois Quarez as managing director of Essential Drinks

Published: 29 September, 2014

Quintessential Brands has appointed former senior PepsiCo executive Francios Quarez to head operations at its spirits supply firm Essential Drinks Company.