News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Student brand Varsity launches "crazy" student campaign

Published: 20 August, 2008

Barracuda pub group's student brand, Varsity, has launched a competition to find the "Face of Varsity" for next year's poster campaign.

Wine tasting gets the Twitter treatment

Published: 20 August, 2008

A US online retailer and a French wine producer have teamed up to organise a "virtual" wine tasting event on social networking site Twitter.

Rare whisky goes on auction at Harrods

Published: 20 August, 2008

The first ever bottle of Jura 40 year old whisky is to be sold at a silent auction at Harrods.

New Zealand wine exports reach record levels

Published: 20 August, 2008

New Zealand wine growers are on target to achieve $1 billion (£538 million) of exports by 2010, according annual results released today by New Zealand Winegrowers.

Cognac shipments fall 4%

Published: 20 August, 2008

Sales of cognac have fallen nearly 4% in the past 12 months, according to figures from the Bureau National Interprofessional du Cognac (BNIC).

WSET starts search for educator of the year

Published: 20 August, 2008

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced its call for nominations for the WSET Educator of the Year 2008.

Wines from Rioja bids to boost UK sales with promotions activity

Published: 19 August, 2008

Wines from Rioja is looking to boost its sales in the UK's independent retail sector by launching a series of promotions.

Carlsberg pulls Sun promotion after backlash from Liverpool fans

Published: 19 August, 2008

Carlsberg has been forced to drop a promotion it was due to run in The Sun this bank holiday weekend after a backlash from Liverpool football club fans.

Diageo on the hunt for perfect pub atmosphere

Published: 19 August, 2008

Diageo has commissioned a UK wide survey to find out what defines the perfect atmosphere in bars, pubs and clubs.

Portman Group claims alcohol ad report is "flawed"

Published: 19 August, 2008

The Portman Group has criticised a report which looked at how often children are exposed to alcohol advertising.

Wines in the Press: Biodynamic wines and barbeques

Published: 19 August, 2008

Tim Atkin has been firing up the barbeque, Jamie Goode has been getting stuck into biodynamic wines and Andrew Jefford has been seeking out some hidden gems in Romania. Meanwhile, the Nicholas chain of wine stores take a battering from Jane MacQuitty and Anthony Rose investigates the "vineyard virus" of South Africa.

Diageo rolls out autumn spirits campaign

Published: 18 August, 2008

Diageo is launching a £300,000 print and point of sale campaign this autumn to promote spirit and mixer serves in off-trade.

Pernod Ricard poised to unveil new look for Graffigna brand

Published: 18 August, 2008

Pernod Ricard will unveil new packaging for its Graffigna wine brand, which it is investing in heavily in a bid to make it the UK's top selling Argentine wine, next month.

Magners launches low alcohol variant

Published: 18 August, 2008

Magners Irish Cider is launching the UK's first ever mid strength cider product, containing half the alcohol content of Magners Original.

McGuigan secures supermarket listings for new range

Published: 18 August, 2008

Australian wine producer McGuigan has secured listings in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-op and Majestic from October for the latest addition to its UK portfolio, McGuigan Grey Label.

Silvester Stallone to front russian vodka ad campaign

Published: 18 August, 2008

Russian vodka producer Synergy has signed a one year advertising contract with Silvester Stallone.

Academy of Food & Wine says hospitality industry must "work harder" to attract recruits

Published: 18 August, 2008

The hospitality industry needs to work harder at attracting this year's school-leavers and graduates in order to persuade them to opt for a career in the sector.

Constellation may struggle to sell off assets

Published: 15 August, 2008

Constellation Brands may struggle to sell off the $200 million worth of assets it has put up for sale, according to press reports.

Tesco wins recognition from BII

Published: 15 August, 2008

Tesco has become the first off-trade retailer to be recognised by the British Institute of Innkeeping's awards body (BIIAB), for tackling under-age sales through its staff training scheme.