News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wine Vision Day 2: how social media told the story

Published: 02 December, 2013

A recap of day two from Wine Vision, a global wine conference in association with Harpers, which was held in London from November 18-20.

Wineries are missing out on tourism profits warns Fladgate's Adrian Bridge

Published: 02 December, 2013

Producers are missing out on revenue from tourism because of a lack of understanding of how the tourism industry works and a failure to see how it could best benefit their core businesses, argued Adrian Bridge, chief executive, of The Fladgate Partnership, in his address to Wine Vision.

Luddenden Valley Wines fights for excise duty reduction

Published: 02 December, 2013

Luddenden Valley Wines has launched a campaign for excise duty on wine-production levels at small-scale UK producers to be brought in line with cider and beer distillers in a bid to help UK wine producers become more competitive.

Bibendum sells private client business to Simon Farr's new fine wine company

Published: 02 December, 2013

Bibendum is to sell its private client business to Cru London Ltd, a new fine wine business set up by Bibendum non-executive director, Simon Farr.

Russia to raise minimum price of vodka by up to 30% in 2014

Published: 02 December, 2013

Russia is looking to raise the minimum price of vodka by up to 17% on January 1, 2014 in an effort to reduce consumption levels. With further rises planned throughout the year.

Metro Group looks to drive wine growth in Russia

Published: 02 December, 2013

Metro Group, the world's fifth largest retail operation, is looking to widen its reach across Russia, the company's second largest wine market after France, and urged delegates at last month's Wine Vision to seriously invest in the country.

Snow storms hit producers and vines in central Italy

Published: 29 November, 2013

Up to 60cm of snow, which fell on Monday and Tuesday this week, have caused extensive damage to the vineyards in Abruzzo, central Italy.

Master Sommelier Ronan Sayburn to launch his own wine academy

Published: 29 November, 2013

Master Sommelier, Ronan Sayburn, has launched his own wine academy in London offering training for those studying from WSET level 2 up to Master of Wine and Master Sommelier exams.

Plans for Bordeaux's global wine city unveiled at Wine Vision

Published: 29 November, 2013

Billed as the "biggest celebration of wine in the world" the plans for Cite de Civilisations du Vin to be built in Bordeaux were revealed to a global audience at last week's Wine Vision conference in London.

Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch: Anchorman fans celebrate Ron Burgundy Scotch Whisky

Published: 29 November, 2013

TN Paramount Film Company announced it will be launching Ron Burgundy Scotch Whisky, to coincide with the premiere of Anchorman 2, starring the cast of original characters including Will Ferrell n his role as TV newsman, Ron Burgundy.

The Diner opens seventh outlet serving its own 'Hard Teas'

Published: 29 November, 2013

The Diner opened its seventh location in the Old Spitalfields Market, in East London, where guests will be able to choose from a selection of "hard teas" and "hard milkshakes" spiced with a range of spirits.

Pernod Ricard switches more of its advertising budget to digital and social media

Published: 28 November, 2013

An increasing proportion of Pernod Ricard's UK advertising budget is being spent on social and digital media, as traditional media consumption continues to decline, according to managing director Denis O'Flynn.

Wine Vision Day 1: who said what on social media

Published: 28 November, 2013

Relive day one from last week's Wine Vision global wine conference hosted in association with Harpers in London that brought many of the world's leading wine players, producers and commentators to the capital to look at the future of wine. Here is our review of the social media conversation that took place during the first afternoon of the conference. Look out for further reviews on Harpers.co.uk.

'Decade of Rum' report shines spotlight on authentic Caribbean rum

Published: 28 November, 2013

The global rum category has grown by 40% over the last 10 years and 24% in the UK, according to a new trade report, The Decade of Rum, produced by West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers'Association (WIRSPA).

English wines showcase new releases at East Anglian trade tasting

Published: 28 November, 2013

New Hall founder Piers Greenwood capped off a winning year with the release of his Sparkling English Rosé magnum at the East Anglian Vineyard Association's recent trade tasting.

Largest World Bulk Wine Exhibition attracts nearly 6,000 visitors to Amsterdam

Published: 28 November, 2013

The largest World Bulk Wine Exhibition held to date took place this week in Amsterdam with up to 176 wineries taking part from 16 different countries.

Santa Rita Estates to host wine education workshops in London in January

Published: 28 November, 2013

Chilean wine producer, Santa Rita Estates, is to once again hold its South American Wine workshops in London in January as part of its three year educational programme.

Cutty Sark releases special edition whisky to commemorate Prohibition anniversary

Published: 28 November, 2013

Cutty Sark is releasing a special edition bottle to celebrate the 80^th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition in the United States.

Gallo looks to grow UK spirits business with launch of New Amsterdam Vodka

Published: 27 November, 2013

Californian wine producer, E&J Gallo, is strengthening its UK spirits portfolio with the launch of New Amsterdam Vodka that has enjoyed considerable success in the US since its launch in 2011.

Majority of Champagne is not being sold "well" says Taittinger chief

Published: 27 November, 2013

Up to 70% of Champagne around the world is not being sold "well" and the major houses need to step up their act to protect the category, according to the head of Champagne Taittinger, Pierre Emmanuel Taittinger.