WineGB appoints sustainability ambassador

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) has appointed Anne Jones as its first-ever sustainability ambassador.

The Whisky Exchange to launch first Chinese Whiskey in UK

Spirits retailer, The Whisky Exchange, has exclusively launched three Goalong Chinese whiskies and a botanical gin on its website and in-store.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Vanessa Stolz, Restaurant Pine

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with Vanessa Stolz, head sommelier at Restaurant Pine, to find out how the year has gone so far, and what the remainder may bring.

Rioja adds 15 new ‘Singular Vineyards’

The government of Spain has added 15 new wine-growing sites of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin with the qualitative distinction of ‘Singular Vineyard’. 

Reduction in product innovations, as economic pressure bites for drinks brands

Circana, the leading advisor on consumer complexity, has launched its Race for Resilience: Innovation Pacesetters report for Europe. Covering the six largest markets in Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK, and the Netherlands), the report reveals declining product innovations for alcoholic drinks brands across the last two years.

Duty changes emphasise the law of increasing returns

The changes to alcohol duty, due to come into effect tomorrow (1 August), are the biggest the UK has seen in nearly fifty years. As businesses make their final preparations, it seems we could see a raft of new changes entering the drinks landscape – including the need to better communicate the law of increasing returns when it comes to wine and the benefits of trading up.

Oxford Wine Group announces new bar opening

Having celebrated its crowning as the number one merchant in Harpers' 50 Best Indies list 2023, The Oxford Wine Group has announced it will open a brand-new city centre venue later this year.

Food prices in hospitality surge again as supermarket prices ease

Inflation in hospitality rose again in June to 22.6% YOY, just shy of the record high of 22.9% in December 2022, as measured by CGA.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Miriam Spiers, Alliance Wine

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with, Miriam Spiers, sales director, Alliance Wine, to find out how the year has gone so far and what the remainder may bring.

Professional development and well-being number one priorities for drinks industry

Results from the annual survey conducted by The Drinks Trust revealed that almost all (96%) of the drinks industry want to undertake professional development initiatives to help them in their career in the next 12 months.   

Changyu challenges Moët & Chandon for world’s most valuable wine brand

Château Changyu, China’s oldest and largest wine producer, is second only to Moët & Chandon as the world’s most valuable wine brand.

Friday read: Can sustainability and luxury co-exist?

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Archie McDiarmid, Luvians

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with, Archie McDiarmid, manager, Luvians Bottleshop, to find out how the year has gone so far and what the remainder may bring.

Delamain announces key management changes

Delamain, the last family-run house in Cognac, has announced multiple changes to its management ahead of its bicentenary celebration (1824-2024).

On-trade overlooked by government says 62% of hospitality businesses

62% of hospitality businesses believe the sector receives less support and attention than other industries, new research from Peckwater Brands (PWB) has found.

Peñín Guide awards 100 points to first white

Pazo Señorans Selección de Añada 2013 has become the first white wine to be awarded 100 Peñín points in the Guide’s history.

Flaming June offers some respite for hospitality

A scorching June helped Britain's managed restaurant, pub and bar groups achieve a ninth successive month of year-on-year sales growth, according to the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracker.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Troy Christensen, Enotria

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We continue our series with Troy Christensen, CEO, Enotria, to find out how the year has gone so far and what the remainder may bring.

Esk Valley senior winemaker, Gordon Russell, steps down after ‘structural change’

Esk Valley’s senior winemaker of 30 years, Gordon Russell, has stepped down after his role was made redundant.

Ofgem challenged on hidden energy costs by UKHospitality

Leading associations including UKHospitality have signed an open letter challenging energy regulator Ofgem to take ‘immediate’ action on hidden charges by energy brokers.