News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Duty freeze U-turn ‘extremely disappointing’, says WSTA

Published: 18 October, 2022

The scrapping of the freeze on alcohol duty rate rises by new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been condemned as counterproductive by the UK drinks trade.

Bristol indie bucks belt tightening trend

Published: 17 October, 2022

Despite the cost-of-living crisis affecting consumer up and down the country, at least one independent has reported booming sales of its fine wines.

Chapel Down to produce two million bottles from 2022

Published: 17 October, 2022

The UK's largest winery has published an update on vintage 2022 in southern England, celebrating “both the exceptional grape quality and yield”.

NZ’s Pyramid Valley launches ‘pioneering’ anti-fraud device

Published: 17 October, 2022

Canterbury-based winery Pyramid Valley Vineyards has collaborated with forensic sciences company Oritain to develop a pioneering verification of origin tool – a first for the wine industry.

Nick Gillett: Why sugar and spice don’t always add up to nice

Published: 17 October, 2022

In the latest of our new critical mini-series, Mangrove UK’s MD calls for clarity over rum.

Liquid Icons unveils Golden Vines Awards

Published: 17 October, 2022

Liquid Icons, the fine wine company founded by the late Gérard Basset MS and Lewis Chester, put on a lavish show in Florence this month, awarding Golden Vines Awards to a host of internationally renowned wineries.

Rueda wine ambassadors unveiled

Published: 14 October, 2022

As part of its ongoing push in the UK market, DO Rueda has announced its first Rueda Wine Ambassadors to help build awareness around Spain’s leading white wine region.

Agulhas spreads its wings as hotbed of cool climate possibilities

Published: 14 October, 2022

Cool, windy and remote, the Agulhas Wine Triangle sits at the southerly tip of Africa, providing a home to a growing band of winemakers drawn to the possibilities of making wines on the very edge of this continent. As such, they believe Agulhas offers some of the best and best as-yet-to-be-seen potential for South African winemaking, with the “energy of the place” delivering “inbuilt complexity and balance” from this region where the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean meet.

Small producers slip through the net for duty relief

Published: 14 October, 2022

WineGB has criticised the set up of the government’s duty relief scheme which effectively denies small wine producers support.

WineCap reveals USD purchasing power against the pound

Published: 13 October, 2022

WineCap has released its Q3 report, which examines the trends that have shaped the fine wine market over the past three months.

Energy support extension revealed for businesses

Published: 12 October, 2022

The industry has welcomed the news that government will expand its help for businesses with their energy bills, with subsidies set to cover contracts going back to December 2021.

Think Rum line-up confirmed

Published: 12 October, 2022

Think Rum is returning next month, after a hiatus during the pandemic, delivering another exciting and educational take on this rising category.

Hatch Mansfield joins Harpers Sustainability Charter

Published: 12 October, 2022

Hatch Mansfield is the latest signatory to be added to the Harpers Sustainability Charter.

2022 Douro harvest: “We faced some of the greatest challenges that our family has seen”

Published: 12 October, 2022

Following the theme in many European wine-growing regions this year, the 2022 Douro harvest has now been confirmed as the earliest ever recorded in the region.

VDP announces Masters of Wine as its new official partner

Published: 10 October, 2022

The VDP, home to nearly 200 of Germany’s best winegrowers, and IMW (Institute of Masters of Wine) have long been associated with one another, expanding and enriching the network on both sides.

UK pub closures have doubled in last three months

Published: 10 October, 2022

The number of pubs closing across the country, having called last orders for the final time, has rocketed by 50% in the last three months.

Enotria & Coe publishes new Sustainability Barometer

Published: 10 October, 2022

Enotria & Coe has published a new Sustainability Barometer, highlighting the company's significant progress towards its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030.

October is the month of Rioja

Published: 10 October, 2022

Following the success of its inaugural 2021 launch, Rioja wine month is back with a 41% uplift in participants compared to last year.

Sud de France – register now

Published: 07 October, 2022

Registrations are now open for the Sud de France Top 100 Discovery tasting – Part II – where members of the trade are invited to meet producers and winemakers.

Vranken-Pommery tests the waters of vine density in English ‘trials’

Published: 07 October, 2022

Vranken-Pommery’s English wine ‘trials’ at its Pinglestone Estate in Hampshire could prompt viticulture changes in Champagne, the house has said, with Pinglestone being used as a ‘laboratory’ where findings on lowering vine density could be taken across the Channel.