News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Chilean winery Undurraga switches distribution to Gonzalez Byass

Published: 20 December, 2012

Chilean winery Undurraga has switched agency from Moreno to Gonzalez Byass in the UK.

Leventhorpe launches Yorkshire's first sparkling rosé

Published: 19 December, 2012

The Leventhorpe vineyard near Leeds has launched Yorkshire's first sparkling rosé wine in time for Christmas and end-of-year celebrations.

Avignonesi Winery acquires third vineyard in 18 months

Published: 19 December, 2012

The Italian-based biodynamic producer Avignonesi Winery has acquired its third vineyard in 18 months, making it one of the region's largest producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Christmas sales bonanza for Virgin Wines

Published: 19 December, 2012

Virgin Wines has sold more wine this week than ever before - shipping over 31,500 cases to households around the UK.

Marisco Vineyards acquires 2,000 ha Marlborough estate

Published: 19 December, 2012

Brent Marris, the owner and winemaker behind New Zealand's Marisco Vineyards, which produces the Ned and the King's Series wines, has bought a 2,000 ha property in the Waihopai Valley, Marlborough and is on the lookout for more sites to buy.

Champagne market unlikely to pick up until 2014

Published: 19 December, 2012

The Champagne market is unlikely to pick up in 2013 - and not before 2014/15 - according to Dr Steve Charters MW, professor of Champagne management at Reims Management School.

New Zealand Winegrowers appoints Chris Stroud to head up Europe

Published: 19 December, 2012

New Zealand Winegrowers has appointed Chris Stroud to head up its European operations.

Looking back on 2012 for the wine trade: part 2

Published: 19 December, 2012

Ready for the next instalment of what's gone on in the wine trade in 2012?

Corks Out wins Emporia Spirit Merchant of the Year award

Published: 18 December, 2012

North west based independent merchant Corks Out has won the Emporia Spirit Merchant of the Year Award for 2012 in recognition of its successful work selling premium spirits.

Bowmore teams up with Caledonian Club to open The Bowmore Room

Published: 18 December, 2012

Morrison Bowmore Distillers owned malt whisky brand Bowmore has launched the Bowmore Room, in partnership with London's Caledonian Club.

Jayne Powell, aka Champagne Jayne, is in heaven sampling Krug's new menu at Murano with Olivier Krug and Angela Hartnett

Published: 18 December, 2012

A once in a lifetime chance to dine with living legends Olivier Krug and Angela Hartnett has to be the foodie equivalent of winning tickets to the VIP private party at the Superbowl.

Looking back on 2012 for the wine trade: part 1

Published: 18 December, 2012

Reflecting on 2012, and checking out some of our most popular articles both online and in the magazine, it's evident the trade didn't have an easy year. But it certainly wasn't all doom and gloom. A quick run-down picks up diverse themes incorporating everything from the Olympics, companies collapsing, generic bodies coming up with new approaches, UK-based firms taking closer looks at overseas markets in order to maximise returns, a host of changes at the top within the UK's leading wine businesses and the unstoppable juggernaut that is the alcohol duty escalator.

Consumers face massive price hikes for Christmas drinks

Published: 18 December, 2012

Consumers are facing a massive price hike for their average Christmas drinks shop if government proposals on minimum pricing go ahead, the Wine & Spirits Trade Association has warned.

Kingsland Wine closes Stratford's headquarters

Published: 17 December, 2012

FE Barber, which trades as Kingsland Wine & Spirits and Legacy Wines, is to close Stratford's Wine Agencies Cookham office following its purchase of the firm back in September.

Portugal buyers' trip: Bob McDonald

Published: 17 December, 2012

Last to write about his experience on the Harpers buyers' trip through Portugal's Alentejo, Tejo and Peninsula de Setúbal regions, is Corks Out's Bob McDonald, who tells Harpers why it's the indigenous varieties and not the international ones that float his regional boat.

Jenny Mackenzie heads to Trentino, northern Italy, and discovers a home for sparkling wine

Published: 17 December, 2012

If there are any sparkling wines to challenge Champagne's crown, it could be those of Trentino in north Italy, established in 1902 by Giulio Ferrari. The 41 producers under the Trentodoc marketing name, formed in 2007, are as historic, diverse and high quality as their counterparts in northern France.

Inter-Rhône launches London bus and underground campaign

Published: 17 December, 2012

Inter-Rhône is targeting London's red buses and undergound with an advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of its wines in the run up to Christmas.

Inter-Rhône advertises across London buses

Published: 17 December, 2012

Inter-Rhône is targeting London's commuters this month with a UK advertising campaign on 110 of the capital's red buses and in underground stations.

FirstCape reveals British and Irish Lions packaging

Published: 17 December, 2012

FirstCape has launched new packaging for its Presidents Selection wines on the back of its sponsorship of the British and Irish Lions 2013 Tour of Australia.