News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Penfolds ‘Luxury & Icon’ wines join La Place

Published: 27 November, 2023

Penfolds has appointed La Place de Bordeaux as an official distributor partner for its ‘Luxury & Icon’ wines across EMEA, effective 30 January 2024.

Nyetimber secures 2024 Olympic Games sponsorship

Published: 27 November, 2023

English sparkling wine producer Nyetimber will be the Official Sparkling Wine of Team GB for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Trade reflects on ‘mixed-bag’ Autumn Statement

Published: 27 November, 2023

Following rumours of a second duty hike in line with inflation, the government quelled fears by announcing a freeze on alcohol duty in the Autumn Statement last week.

Centre-Loire a ‘typical winegrower’s vintage’

Published: 27 November, 2023

Following a fruitful vintage the year before, 2023 was hard work for winegrowers in Centre-Loire, according to the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre (BIVC).

Drinks brands invest in TV advertising

Published: 27 November, 2023

Despite a turbulent year financially for many drinks companies due to factors not limited to inflation, duty hikes and the cost-of-living crisis, some brands are purchasing primetime TV advertising slots in the lead-up to Christmas.

Duty coincides with drinking trends says Kingsland Drinks

Published: 24 November, 2023

As 2023 draws to a close, independent UK supplier, Kingsland Drinks, has revealed its insights on key areas to watch out for in 2024, looking at incoming drinks trends in wine, spirits and RTDs.

Friday read: Chile's female winemakers on a UK mission

Published: 24 November, 2023

Last Friday (17 November), the Women in Wine Expo organisation returned to London for a very special event, the Itata Valley wine mission.

WBWE 2023: Bulk and the path to Cop 28

Published: 24 November, 2023

As the global supply chain continues to operate in a state of flux, bulk shipping is becoming an increasingly attractive – and sustainable – proposition for wine businesses around the world… if only the required number of flexitanks and containers remain in operation.

LWC launches WSET training for its distribution teams

Published: 23 November, 2023

LWC Drinks, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler, is rolling out WSET Wine training for its warehouse and distribution teams to help employees better understand “the journey of each bottle,” in its range.

Wine Paris & Vinexpo 2024 announce massive expansion

Published: 23 November, 2023

The fifth Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is due to take place from 12 to 14 February 2024 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The Vinexposium group’s flagship exhibition has announced it will welcome 3,900 exhibitors (+15%) and 40,000 (+28%) trade visitors for its 2024 event.

Alcohol duty frozen until 2024

Published: 22 November, 2023

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has quelled fears of a second duty rise this year in this afternoon’s Autumn Budget, by announcing a freeze until August next year.

Deliveries worth 15p per pound of restaurant spend

Published: 22 November, 2023

Delivery and takeaway sales at Britain’s leading managed restaurant groups rose 5% year-on-year in October 2023, according to CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker.

Amandla celebrates Matthew Clark partnership

Published: 22 November, 2023

Progressive new South African wine brand Amandla is launching in the UK on-trade market this month via a new partnership with leading drinks distributor Matthew Clark.

Californian producers predict 2023 vintage will be ‘finest in years’

Published: 21 November, 2023

Following a late harvest and thus extra ripening time, Californian producers are predicting the 2023 vintage will be one of the ‘finest in years’, according to the Wine Institute – the membership board representing Californian wineries.

Blackbook releases wine and vinyl bundle

Published: 21 November, 2023

London-based independent wine producer, Blackbook Winery, has teamed up with US musician Jack Tatum of Wild Nothing to create a limited edition wine and vinyl bundle.

OTC becomes ‘UK hub’ for Coravin sample bottles

Published: 21 November, 2023

Coravin and The Online Tasting Company (OTC), the UK’s leading wine sample manufacturer, have announced a new partnership with OTC becoming the first UK hub for Coravin’s Vinitas – a breakthrough in sample bottle preservation.

Government is failing hospitality businesses, public warns

Published: 21 November, 2023

The UK Spirits Alliance (UKSA), representing hundreds of small businesses across the UK, has called on the government to back hospitality and distilleries by freezing duty on spirits at the Autumn Statement.

WSET launches new industry talk series

Published: 20 November, 2023

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), has launched a series of industry talks on its global Events Hub, hosted on YouTube. The series will explore key topics impacting the global drinks industry and bring together a diverse range of experts to share their knowledge.

Spirits sales down 20% after August hikes

Published: 20 November, 2023

Wine and spirit businesses continue to urge the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty at the Autumn Statement.

Jeannie Cho Lee MW replaces Jasper Morris MW at Sotheby’s

Published: 20 November, 2023

The 163rd edition of the Hospices de Beaune wine sale will see Jeannie Cho Lee MW replace Jasper Morris MW as a consultant for the annual wine auction.