News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

With thanks: Christmas sign-off from Harpers

Published: 20 December, 2024

As we prepare to say farewell to 2024, Harpers would like to extend a short but heartfelt thanks to our readers for their support this year.

Cabrach celebrates first distillation in 170 years

Published: 20 December, 2024

A community-owned, government-supported distillery has revived the tradition of whisky making at The Cabrach estate in Speyside, a sparsely populated Highland area that hasn't produced single malt for 170 years.

King Charles reissues Royal Warrants

Published: 20 December, 2024

An eclectic list of importers, sparkling wine producers and distillers have been granted Royal Warrants by King Charles III.

Friday read: A new frontier between the vines of Cyprus

Published: 20 December, 2024

As Cyprus celebrates 800 years of its iconic sweet wine, Commandaria, a younger generation of winemakers is proving the island’s indigenous grape varieties can produce some serious dry wines too. Rebecca Pitcairn dives in.

Jason Yapp announces retirement

Published: 20 December, 2024

Yapp Brothers has announced the retirement of Jason Yapp after a successful tenure of 32 years at the firm.

Low & no experiencing 'transformative period of growth'

Published: 20 December, 2024

A new survey published by the IWSR has forecast sustained growth in the low & no alcohol drinks market, with the no-alcohol category expected to “deliver growth of US$4bn+ by 2028”.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: David Archibald, Cachet Wine

Published: 20 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is David Archibald, sales director of Cachet Wine, as he reflects on a tough ride for the trade.

British wine producers celebrate ‘small but good quality crop’ after difficult vintage

Published: 19 December, 2024

Following a challenging growing season, beset with “recurrent rainfall and higher disease pressure”, UK wineries are nonetheless relatively optimistic that 2024 will deliver wines with “a high level of phenolic ripeness” – a concomitant of longer hang times due to the late harvest period.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Andrew Lundy, Vino Wines

Published: 19 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is Andrew Lundy, director and owner of Edinburgh-based Vino Wines, as he reflects on remaining competitive in a challenging environment.

Vranken-Pommery Monopole announces major shakeup of governance board

Published: 18 December, 2024

Champagne producer Vranken-Pommery Monopole has made a number of key changes to its corporate governance, promoting Nathalie Vranken, currently deputy CEO, to the position of CEO as of today (18 December).

Hospitality sector enjoys ‘first real-terms growth since June 2024’

Published: 18 December, 2024

Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.7% in November 2024, marking the first ‘real-terms growth’ since June this year.

Wiston Estate signs exclusive distribution agreement with Hallgarten

Published: 18 December, 2024

Sussex-based Wiston Estate has become the latest member of the Hallgarten family, joining a prestigious roll call of English wine producers including Coates & Seeley, Ridgeview and Simpsons Wine Estate.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Rupert Pritchett, Taurus Wines

Published: 18 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year trade talking heads is Rupert Pritchett, MD, Taurus Wines, as he reflects on remaining competitive in a challenging environment.

Soapbox: Time to look beyond duty easement

Published: 18 December, 2024

Barring a near-miracle, it is now highly unlikely that the current UK government will make permanent the temporary duty easement that is ending this coming 1 February. Speaking with Andrew Catchpole for the first of a two-part Soapbox, Miles Beale of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) – who campaigned tirelessly on that matter and helped galvanise the trade – says it’s time to learn the lessons from this “incredibly disappointing” outcome and look ahead to the key bumps coming down the road in 2025. The trade can, he argues, force through more positive and desirable outcomes in the near future, if it pulls together in a similarly galvanised way.

Alliance Wine takes on 50 producers following H2Vin acquisition

Published: 17 December, 2024

Alliance Wine has been pushing ahead with its expansion plans following the purchase of London specialist importer H2Vin, with the ‘smooth integration’ of the two businesses already resulting in the addition of over fifty new producers to the portfolio.

Feliz Rioja celebrates '167% average increase in sales' during November

Published: 16 December, 2024

Feliz Rioja, a campaign organised in association with UK independents and on-trade venues, is celebrating a surge in Rioja sales last month, as 150 businesses joined forces to promote Spain's seminal wine region.

Enotria&Coe adds Marqués de Cáceres to its Spanish portfolio

Published: 16 December, 2024

Enotria&Coe has entered into an exclusive partnership with Rioja stalwart Marqués de Cáceres, distributing its wines to the UK off-trade.

WSTA forges recruitment partnership with Wine Jobs UK

Published: 16 December, 2024

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has teamed up with Wine Jobs UK to lure the best and brightest talent into the UK drinks industry, widening access and “helping everyone in the drinks trade find better opportunities”.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Jamie Avenell, C&C Group

Published: 16 December, 2024

Next up in our end of year talking heads is Jamie Avenell, wine trading director, C&C Group, as he reflects on remaining competitive on a challenging environment.

Drinking with the trade: In the festive groove with Mangrove

Published: 13 December, 2024

In a thirst-inspiring piece that somehow reminds our editor of De La Soul’s Plug Tunin’, Mangrove Global’s Jack Gething and Max Ostwald jump into Nick Gillett’s regular slot to give a whirlwind tour of their Christmas favourites from Mangrove Global’s well-honed spirts portfolio.