Jeroboams announces two new appointments

The Jeroboams Group has announced the appointment of two new positions within the business.

The Oxford Wine Company marks 30 years with portfolio tasting

Billed as the '30th Anniversary Tasting’, The Oxford Wine Company (OWC) will host its largest-ever portfolio tasting next month featuring 18 wineries, some of which have been on OWC's books for three decades. 

40% of Jascots producer partners are certified organic

In a recent supplier survey carried out by Jascots Wine Merchants, 40% of their producer partners confirmed they are certified organic, up from 25% last year. A further 16% are in conversion, with more saying they would consider it in the future. 

Looking ahead: Matt Tipping, Jeroboams

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities. 

Tech & Innovation: Detecting fine wine forgeries

According to a 2021 report from Business Insider, fake wine accounts for 20% of wine sold worldwide. If this is true, and many credible sources seem to agree, then the chances are you have drunk from a bottle containing fraudulent wine. The report referred to numerous cases of wine crime in recent history, including the seizure of 4,000 bottles of the counterfeit ‘super-Tuscan’ Bolgheri Sassicaia, which fetches up to £320 a bottle. 

Looking ahead: Katy Keating, Lay & Wheeler

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities.

Personality and value from winning indie wholesaler Lea & Sandeman

In last month’s edition of Harpers, we unveiled our annual Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers. In 10th place on that list was Lea & Sandeman, the independent wine merchant with a penchant for grower-led, artisanal wines from around the world.

Justerini & Brooks in South African Expansion

Harpers Exclusive: The Wines Direct Consumer Award winners 2022

Now in its fourth year, Harpers can exclusively reveal the 2022 Wine Direct Awards results.

The weighty burden of alcohol’s rising costs

When chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his proposed changes to alcohol duty in the October Budget, he described them as the “most radical simplification of alcohol duties for over 140 years”. Under the present system, there are three duty rates on wine – one for still wine, a slightly higher one for sparkling wine and an even higher one for fortified wine.

Fine wine leads the way for Jascots

Jascots Fine Wine Sector is going from strength to strength following the development of a specialist department in December 2021. Fine wine contributed 8% of total sales value in Q1 2022, up 5% in Q4 2021. 

Lay & Wheeler looks to the future with new branding

Lay & Wheeler has unveiled new branding, the first rebrand for the company in over 10 years, reflecting the business’s focus on the future.

German wine sales soar at royal wine supplier

Sales of German wines at fine wine merchant Justerini & Brooks have rocketed this year.

Insights: Is it the end of the traditional wine shops?

As the competition hots up in independent retail with the introduction of more and more hybrid venues, could this spell the end for the traditional wine shop? Nigel Huddleston investigates 

Best of British: we celebrate Top Merchants around the country

In part two of our Best of British feature, Harpers takes a look at three more independent wine merchants to keep your eyes on.

Chiefs of the Week: the UK's independent wine merchants

For over the last month Harpers has been celebrating and putting the spotlight on the work independent wine merchants do and the growing importance they have on the drinks industry as part of our March for the Independents campaign.

March for Indies: 10 ways to boost sales and business through Twitter

Twittter is no longer just a way to communicate, keep in touch and build your audience, it can also really help to drive sales and bring new and existing customers to your business.

March for Independents: Action Week 4 offers data and insights to help drive profits

As we enter the final Action Week of the March for the Independents campaign we turn the spotlight on the market trends, insights and data that will help independent wine merchants ensure they have the rights wines and spirits on shelf at the right price.

March for Independents: 13 ways for retailers to keep on top of business law

Stephen Forward of the independent wine merchant business, Essentially Wine, gives a personal insight into how retailers like himself get on top of all the small business regulation.

March for Independents: new online and EU labelling regulations for merchants

There is a whole raft of legislation that retailers need to be on top to make sure they are on top what are termed as "distance sales", wine lawyer Andrew Park advises.