News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Retailers use social media to make more consumer friendly wines

Published: 13 November, 2013

Retailers are increasingly turning to social media to help create new wines they hope will prove popular with consumers.

'Best of Wine Tourism' 2014 winners announced

Published: 13 November, 2013

The Great Wine Capitals Global Network, an alliance of ten international wine regions, announced the nine winners of its 2014 International Best of Wine Tourism Awards at a gala dinner held November 12, at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California.

Jancis Robinson passes the torch as WSET honorary president

Published: 12 November, 2013

Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW is to follow Jancis Robinson OBE, MW, who served for the last three years, as the new honorary president of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's (WSET) effective from January 20, 2014.

Virgin Wines sale: UK market still key, says Direct Wines chief

Published: 12 November, 2013

Direct Wines boss Simon McMurtrie says the UK is still of major importance for the firm's business following the sale of Virgin Wines.

Virgin Wines aims for faster growth away from Direct Wines

Published: 12 November, 2013

The new owners of Virgin Wines are planning for faster growth outside of the Direct Wines stable with a focus on face-to-face events and customer interaction.

Heston Blumenthal to open restaurant in Heathrow's revamped Terminal 2

Published: 12 November, 2013

Celebrity chef, Heston Blumenthal, will be opening a new restaurant in Terminal 2: The Queen's Terminal at Heathrow Airport, which is set to open on June 4, 2014, with dishes showcasing traditional British fare.

Sotheby's to sell 100 cases of Opus One for $165,000

Published: 12 November, 2013

Sotheby's wine retail store is selling 100 six bottle cases of iconic Californian wine, Opus One, as a one off collection starting today for only the next four days, with vintages spanning from 1997 to 2005, for $165,000.

Virgin Wines in £14m management buyout

Published: 12 November, 2013

Direct Wines has sold its Virgin Wines business to the current management team, backed by private equity, for £14million, in order to focus on its core Laithwaite's wine business and overseas growth.

Distell appoints new GM for duty-free Europe

Published: 12 November, 2013

Markus Habermann has been appointed general manager for Distell's European duty-free business

Burgundy 2012 en primeur kicks off with some allocations already "exhausted"

Published: 11 November, 2013

The severly reduced Burgundy harvest for 2012 is resulting in producers holding en primeur tastings this month with "Allocation Exhausted" labels over some bottles.

Michelin star chef Michel Roux is face of Everyday Bordeaux consumer campaign

Published: 11 November, 2013

Michelin star chef Michel Roux of Le Gavroche fame has teamed up with the 2013 Everyday Bordeaux collection of wines, to promote those wines considered by a panel of judges from the Association of Wine Educators to offer some of the best value Bordeaux currently available in the UK.

Wine drinkers stick to what they know, says Asda

Published: 11 November, 2013

Almost half of UK wine consumers buy the same wine every time they shop, according to a survey carried out by Asda.

Oddbins kicks off playful Christmas campaign

Published: 11 November, 2013

High street retailer Oddbins' playful festive campaign features a takeover of its Twitter account by 'Mother Christmas' giving away free Champagne and in-store magic shows.

Foodie phenomenon spreads to London wine drinkers

Published: 11 November, 2013

Organisers of a new wine event for Londoners are hoping they can follow in the footsteps of the foodie revolution and make wine more accessible.

Hangingditch in Manchester to hold sixth annual wine fair

Published: 11 November, 2013

Independent wine merchant, Hangingditch, is set to host its sixth annual wine fair in Manchester this Friday, November 19, from 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Manchester Cathedral, with live music, food and over 175 wines and spirits to taste.

Pernod Ricard launches UK online store

Published: 11 November, 2013

Pernod Ricard has launched its first online drinks store for the UK market called Sipstor, where consumers can purchase exclusive products from brands such as Absolut, Beefeater, Chivas and Jameson.

Specialist Champagne restaurant set to open in City of London

Published: 11 November, 2013

A new restaurant which claims to have one of the largest selections of Champagne and sparkling wine by the glass in London is set to open in the City at the end of November.

London Cru opens for tours and supper clubs

Published: 08 November, 2013

Central London's first urban winery is officially open for tours starting this Saturday, 9 November, where it will host tours for the public along with other opportunities throughout the month, like becoming a winemaker for a day or dining in the barrel room with a series of supper clubs the winery will be hosting.

Seifried Estate's Old Coach Road range gets rebranded

Published: 08 November, 2013

Fells distributed, Nelson-based winery Seifried Estate, has revamped its Old Coach Road range in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Nightclub owners opening new venture called Mason House

Published: 08 November, 2013

Marc Merran, Eamonn Mulholland and Jean Philippe Kley, the team behind other nightclub ventures in London including Beat, Mo*Vida, Chinawhite, Aura and Fifity, are set to open a new venture, Mason House, on Argyll Street at the end of Novemeber, built in the vaults of the London Palladium.