Suppliers - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Félix Solís plans for "sizeable" UK growth

Published: 15 April, 2014

Félix Solís has "ambitious growth plans" for the UK and will focus on its northern Spanish appellation wines, international varieties and core brands to deliver it.

'No compelling reason to buy' Bordeaux 2013, say merchants

Published: 10 April, 2014

Merchants have so far sold very little, if any, Bordeaux 2013 wines, as collectors lack any compelling reason to buy.

Online debate: how different channels are changing the digital landscape of wine online

Published: 10 April, 2014

We all know the importance of communicating and retailing online, but how effective is it? Harpers hosted an "Online Debate" featuring retailers and online specialists at PLB's independent merchants' roadshow in Manchester last month and found supermarkets, independents and even drink apps are changing the digital landscape of wine online.

Liberty Wines recruits commercial director

Published: 08 April, 2014

Liberty Wines has recruited Jon Worsley as commercial director to boost the company's premium position.

UK trade still finds Bordeaux 2013 wines to buy

Published: 07 April, 2014

After much criticism ahead of the 2013 en primeur tastings, it seems that many UK merchants have been undeterred by negative press and plan to buy and sell this year's wines.

?Growth of private label wines overtakes brands in multiples

Published: 04 April, 2014

Growth of private label wines is outpacing branded wines, and now accounts for over one-third of wines on offer across the major retailers.

Interview: John Osborne's sets out his vision for PLB

Published: 04 April, 2014

It may only have been three months since John Osborne became PLB's managing director, but it's a role he has been working towards his entire career. He talks about the challenges and opportunities facing him, PLB and the industry.

Senior wine critics call for en primeur "sham" to be overhauled

Published: 04 April, 2014

Two of wine's most-respected wine critics have called for urgent reform of Bordeaux's en primeur system, describing it, in turn, as a "con" a "sham" and a system that the trade and investors have "lost faith in".

Morgenrot launches bee-saving wine at M&B

Published: 03 April, 2014

Manchester-based importer Morgenrot has teamed up with Mitchells & Butlers to launch Planetbee, a South African Chenin Blanc, which is donating money from each sale to safeguard the bee population.

Viñalba launches Malbec and Cabernet blend

Published: 03 April, 2014

Argentinian wine brand Viñalba has launched Reservado Fifty 50, a blend of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Quintessential acquires First Ireland cream liqueurs firm

Published: 03 April, 2014

Quintessential Brands has acquired First Ireland Spirits Company, Ireland's largest independent producer of Irish cream liqueurs, in a multi-million euro deal.

Pressure on wine shipments mounts as US ports still deadlocked over contracts

Published: 03 April, 2014

Strike threats at western US sea ports are ongoing, with wine logistics experts predicting major problems for those who have not planned ahead.

Obituary: Seckford Agencies' Sue Whelan dies

Published: 02 April, 2014

Sue Whelan, sales manager at Seckford Agencies until her retirement in 2010, has lost her brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

New Generation Wines to distribute Guerrieri Rizzardi wines

Published: 02 April, 2014

New Generation Wines has signed a deal to become Italy's Guerrieri Rizzardi's exclusive importer and agent in the UK.

Have we made an (April) fool out of you?

Published: 01 April, 2014

Just in case you have not realised, but we thought it was only fair to own up and admit a couple of the stories on today's news feed are not quite what they seem.

MW students to be voted either "in" or "out" by final BBC Voice-style judging panel

Published: 01 April, 2014

Final year Masters of Wine students will have to face the wine trade's equivalent of the BBC's The Voice in order to stand a chance of being accepted in to the Institute of Masters of Wine.

Over 200 restaurants, bars and merchants back natural wine in April for Real Wine Fair

Published: 31 March, 2014

Natural and biodynamic wines are being included on over 200 wine lists and shelves of independent merchants throughout April as part of a nationwide promotion to bring attention to the Real Wine Fair that takes place in London on April 13-14.

Echo Falls revamps design to support higher prices

Published: 31 March, 2014

Echo Falls has changed its bottles and label design to demarcate its range into a two tier offering and support a higher price point.

Call My Wine Bluff hopes to top £1m in money raised at May 8 event

Published: 27 March, 2014

Call My Wine Bluff, founded by UK wine trade consultant Jerry Lockspeiser, hopes to again raise much needed money for AcionAid when it takes place on May 8 in London's Gibson Hall.