News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Benevolent Ball raises £50,000

Published: 15 March, 2019

The Benevolent Ball, held at new venue the Natural History Museum last night, raised £50,000 for the industry charity.

The week that was

Published: 15 March, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Diageo World Class strips out semi-finals for “streamlined” admissions

Published: 15 March, 2019

Diageo Reserve has taken out several steps in the admissions process for its World Class bartender competition, promising to make it easier than ever for up and coming talent to apply.

Northern restaurant and bar boom continues

Published: 15 March, 2019

The number of restaurants and bars in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds increased by an average of 19% during the past five years, according to new research.

MPs urged to make no ‘no deal’ official before March 29

Published: 14 March, 2019

Last night’s vote to remove the possibility of a no deal scenario from the Brexit table has resulted in a sigh of relief from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) as well as other corners of the trade.

Annessa Imports acquires Fiandaca

Published: 14 March, 2019

Annessa Imports has acquired Italian wine importer and distributor Fiandaca for an undisclosed sum.

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo top Wine Intelligence global brand power index

Published: 14 March, 2019

Yellow Tail and Casillero del Diablo have emerged as the two most powerful wine brands in Wine Intelligence’s Global Wine Brand Power Index for the second year running.

Wines of Germany takes 31 Days of Riesling ‘up north’

Published: 13 March, 2019

Wines of Germany is taking 31 Days of Riesling to Manchester and Edinburgh this spring, marking the first time the tasting will take place outside London.

China and the US drive boom in global premium wine consumption

Published: 13 March, 2019

Wine priced between $10 and $20 will be the biggest driver of value growth for still and sparkling wine over the next couple of years.

California pushes mid-range value at UK tasting

Published: 13 March, 2019

California Wines used its Essential California tasting yesterday (12 March) to swing the focus onto wines under £50 RRP, with an emphasis on the message of value for quality to the fore for the UK market.

Bibendum counteracts the “vanilla” effect of the Conviviality machine

Published: 13 March, 2019

Bibendum PLB is back on top form after veering away from Conviviality’s “one-size fits all approach”, according to one of its top bosses.

WSTA welcomes plan for temporary suspension on tariffs in event of 'no deal'

Published: 13 March, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed the plan to temporarily suspend tariffs on wine and spirits under a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario.

Think France unveils array of expert presenters for masterclasses

Published: 13 March, 2019

Think France has lined up a fantastic array of presenters, including Rebecca Gibb MW, Greg Sherwood MW, Chateaux Lestrille’s Estelle Roumage and Richard Hemming MW, who will be heading up a far-reaching range of masterclasses exploring aspects of this seminal wine producing country.

Plumpton College announces Chris Foss’ retirement

Published: 13 March, 2019

Plumpton College has announced that Chris Foss, founder and manager of its wine division, is to retire this June after 31 years at the helm.

Pernod Ricard appoints new on-trade channel director

Published: 12 March, 2019

Pernod Ricard has promoted James Bremner, currently customer business manager, to the position of on-trade channel director.

Bordeaux UK exports jump 15% in value

Published: 12 March, 2019

The value of Bordeaux exports to the UK jumped 15% to €225million on stable volumes in 2018, according to data released today by the Interprofessional Council of Bordeaux (CIVB).

Jeroboams and Rick Stein raise £5,000 toast to The Benevolent

Published: 12 March, 2019

Jeroboams, Château d’Yquem and Rick Stein have raised an impressive charitable sum thanks to an experimental evening pairing fine wines of Bordeaux with the "best of British” seafood.

UK tops value increase for German wine exports

Published: 12 March, 2019

Quality Riesling appears to be on a roll, with the average price paid for exported German wine breaking records in 2018, while UK consumer thirst drove the biggest value increase of any export territory, according to German Wine Institute (DWI) figures.

Surrey Hills vineyards join forces to form ‘English wine region’

Published: 12 March, 2019

Five vineyards based in the Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty have joined forces to form a new English wine region - ‘Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’.

‘Exceptional’ vintage prompts UK distributors to turn to Muscadet

Published: 12 March, 2019

An ‘exceptional’ 2018 vintage coupled with a consistent rise of quality of wine production from a new generation of vintners in the Pays Nantais has prompted UK distributors to turn to Muscadet.