News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wines in the press, January 3 - 6

Published: 07 January, 2013

The Guardian

Scotland Food & Drink event encourages Amazon link up

Published: 07 January, 2013

Not-for-profit organisation Scotland Food & Drink has launched an event to encourage Scottish whisky and spirits distillers to grow its sales through online retailer Amazon.

Bancroft Wines lines up newcomers for annual tasting

Published: 07 January, 2013

Bancroft Wines is claiming to hold its "most comprehensive portfolio tasting ever" on February 5 in London.

Call for entries to Moët UK Sommelier of the Year

Published: 07 January, 2013

The Academy of Food & Wine Service is calling for entries to the Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2013.

Smarter Grower Champagne launched by former KPMG accountant

Published: 07 January, 2013

Former KPMG accountant Ken Davey has launched a boutique grower Champagne business, Smarter Grower Champagne, after being made redundant from the corporate world.

PLB signs up new Ribero del Duero producer

Published: 04 January, 2013

Premium Ribero del Duero producer Protos has secured its first UK-wide distribution agreement with PLB.

Bargain Booze develops convenience offering

Published: 04 January, 2013

Off-licence chain Bargain Booze has revealed plans to expand its frozen food range this year after growing sales in its 600-plus stores.

Independents see double-digit growth over festive season

Published: 04 January, 2013

Early indications suggest independent merchants' sales were healthily up on last year across the festive season, with the southern part of the country performing particuarly well.

January trade tastings fast approaching

Published: 04 January, 2013

Two wine fairs to look ahead to this month include Wine Australia's first Independent Retailer and On-Trade tasting, and the Oregon and Washington State annual trade and press tasting, both on January 31.

John Buck wins NZ wine industry honour

Published: 03 January, 2013

John Buck, chairman of Te Mata Estate Winery, has been awarded a Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit (CMNZ), for leadership in the New Zealand wine industry.

Festive restaurant round-up - 'value' remains a keyword

Published: 03 January, 2013

The restaurant business was polarised both over the festive season and throughout 2012, with good service and value being rewarded, according to Soren Jessen, owner of 1 Lombard Street and 1776.

Marisco Vineyards appoints new winemaker

Published: 03 January, 2013

New Zealand's Marisco Vineyards has appointed a new winemaker for 2013 and announced it will now bottle a range of its wines in screen-printed glass.

Festive restaurant round-up

Published: 03 January, 2013

The restaurant business was polarized into being very busy, or not, both over the festive season and throughout 2012, with good service and value being rewarded, according to Soren Jessen, owner of 1 Lombard Street and 1776.

WSET announces shortlist for Educator of the Year awards

Published: 02 January, 2013

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has revealed the names of its top course providers shortlisted to receive one of two Educator of the Year trophies.

The Society of Vintners welcomes new members

Published: 02 January, 2013

The Society of Vintners has swelled its ranks with the addition of three new members.

Scotch whisky industry more productive than City of London

Published: 02 January, 2013

Scotch whisky is now worth more than £4 billion to the Scottish economy and is more productive than the City of London, according to a report commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

My hopes for 2013: Bibendum's Michael Saunders on standing up for ourselves

Published: 02 January, 2013

2012 is not a year many drinks businesses will look back on fondly. The economy stalled again, the expected Olympic boost never materialised, several very good companies failed to survive and the government continues to threaten us with restrictive legislation.

Geoffrey Dean's tour of Australia takes him to the wineries of Victoria

Published: 02 January, 2013

Ever drunk sparkling wine out of a can? I can sense a pretty horrified reaction from many readers, but one Australian winery believes it is the first to sell bubbly in aluminium.

Your hopes for 2013: have your say

Published: 31 December, 2012

As we enter a new year, what changes would you like to see happen in the wine and spirits industry in 2013?

Geoffrey Dean pays tribute to Australian fortifieds on his tour Down Under

Published: 27 December, 2012

Finding ourselves as we do in the midst of the Twelve Days of Christmas, replete with mince pies, Christmas pud and other rich offerings, it is timely to pay tribute to Australian fortifieds. They have been making them Down Under since the 19th Century, of course, but on a pre-Yuletide visit to Rutherglen in northern Victoria, it became clear that the bar there is being pushed higher and higher.