News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sotheby's sales soar

Published: 05 March, 2009

Sotheby's has bucked the trend of economic gloom after the auction house's latest wine sale netted receipts of nearly £600,000, some 10% above its top estimate.

Co-op weighs up switch to plastic bottles

Published: 05 March, 2009

The Co-operative Group is considering moving more of its own-label spirits to plastic bottles after introducing PET packaging for its 35cl Special Dry Imperial Vodka.

Sovio boss considers appeal after wine ruling

Published: 04 March, 2009

The producers of a reduced-alcohol wine have hit out at bureaucrats after losing their two-year battle with the Food Standards Agency.

Argentina Wine Awards 2009 results

Published: 04 March, 2009

This year's Argentina Wine Awards have been announced following an international judging session in Mendoza.

Regional drinking habits revealed

Published: 03 March, 2009

People from the north of England are more likely to drink lager than southerners, whose preferred tipple is white wine, according to new research into the drinking habits of Brits.

Fury over Scottish crackdown

Published: 03 March, 2009

Radical plans by the Scottish Government to cap the price of alcohol and ban alcohol promotions have been met with fury by those in the drinks industry.

Wines in the Press, February 28-29

Published: 03 March, 2009

This week's reviews of the national wine writers

Wines in the Press, February 28-29

Published: 03 March, 2009

This week's reviews of the national wine writers

Harvest report, week two Mario Pablo Silva, Vina Casa Silva, Chile

Published: 02 March, 2009

The second in our harvest reports from Mario Pablo Silva, managing director of Viña Casa Silva sent on February 29 from the Colchagua Valley, Chile

Fuller's reopens improved shop

Published: 02 March, 2009

Fuller's has reopened its brewery shop - which also sells an extensive range of wines and spirits - following a major refurbishment.

Whisky leader attacks minimum pricing plans

Published: 02 March, 2009

Scotland's plans for minimum pricing for alcoholic drinks are likely to breach both EU and international trade law, the Scotch Whisky Association has warned.

Distell takes Bisquit

Published: 02 March, 2009

Pernod Ricard has continued its disposal of brands following last year's Absolut acquisition with the sale of Bisquit Cognac.

UK rollout for flavoured Smirnoff and Baileys

Published: 02 March, 2009

Diageo is rolling out two new flavoured Smirnoff vodkas and a coffee-flavoured version of Baileys in the UK, after successful test markets.

Australian vintage could be down 22%

Published: 28 February, 2009

The 2009 Australian wine grape harvest could be 22% lower than last year, according to some calculations.

Scottish licensing regulations cost retailers £16m

Published: 27 February, 2009

The new licensing regulations in Scotland are estimated to have cost local convenience stores in excess of £16 million in costs.

Worldwide fall in Champagne shipments

Published: 27 February, 2009

Worldwide Champagne shipments fell by 4.8% in 2008 and 16.3m bottles to 322,453,852 bottles, according to the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC).

EU allows more time for allergen labelling

Published: 26 February, 2009

The WSTA is celebrating a European Commission decision to allow wineries more time to comply with regulations on the labelling of allergens in wines.

MPs to hear duty fears today

Published: 26 February, 2009

A top government committee examining the impact of tax changes on the UK drinks industry will hear oral submissions from the the trade's main bodies today as part of a wide-ranging inquiry.