By Lisa Riley - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Lyme Bay unveils Pinot Noir with 14.7% abv potential

Published: 20 October, 2020

Lyme Bay Winery (LBW) has reported a batch of Pinot Noir with potential alcohol levels of 14.7% - a record for the UK it claimed.

Campari becomes Portman Group’s newest member

Published: 20 October, 2020

The Portman Group has welcomed Campari UK as its newest member

Wales to go into national circuit breaker lockdown

Published: 19 October, 2020

The Welsh government has announced that the whole country will be going into a circuit beaker lockdown from 6pm this Friday.

Jascots adds Rhône producer Francois Villard

Published: 19 October, 2020

Jascots Wine Merchants has added the Northern Rhône wines of Francois Villard to its portfolio.

Tightening restrictions squeeze drinks sales further

Published: 19 October, 2020

Tightening restrictions have squeezed food and drink sales further, with more disruption to pubs and bars looming with the new tiered system, according to new CGA research.

I Heart Prosecco rosé launches

Published: 19 October, 2020

Freixenet Copestick has expanded the sparkling side of its I Heart portfolio with a Prosecco rosé and a limited edition festive Prosecco.

Industry estimates 750,000 job losses without ‘appropriate support’

Published: 19 October, 2020

Hospitality faces 750,000 job losses without urgent government support, according to the latest research conducted by CGA for UK Hospitality (UKH), the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) and the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Lancashire pubs and bars to close as county moves into Tier 3

Published: 16 October, 2020

Wet-led pubs and bars across Lancashire, including Blackpool, Blackburn and Fleetwood, are set to close from midnight tonight as the county moves into Tier 3 of the government’s lockdown system.

Wine drinking occasions up in lockdowns

Published: 16 October, 2020

Wine drinkers across key consumption markets have been turning more often to the beverage during the pandemic. This is spurred by new lockdown occasions and more drinking outside of mealtimes, according to a new Wine Consumer Trends in the Covid-19 Era report released by Wine Intelligence.

Nicholls: ‘200,000 jobs could be lost this weekend’

Published: 16 October, 2020

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality (UKH), has warned that 200,000 hospitality jobs could be lost this weekend alone in central London as new Tier 2 restrictions are implemented.

The Drinks Trust gains Quintessential Brands as supporter

Published: 16 October, 2020

Quintessential Brands has signed up to support The Drinks Trust, marking the spirits company’s first official UK charity partner.

WSET announces initiative in support of Scottish hospitality

Published: 16 October, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has launched a joint initiative in partnership with The Mixing Glass to support Scottish hospitality workers during the current two-week lockdown.

UKH: ‘£40m Scottish pot not enough’

Published: 16 October, 2020

UK Hospitality (UKH) has warned that the £40m pot of financial support provided by the Scottish government is not enough to keep the hospitality industry alive.

End of EOHO and 10pm curfew cause sales set-back

Published: 16 October, 2020

On-trade group sales fell back significantly in September after August’s Eat Out To Help Out (EOHO) boost and the introduction of the 10pm curfew, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker.

Jascots adds Stift Gottweig

Published: 13 October, 2020

Jascots Wine Merchants has announced the arrival of Stift Gottweig’s wines to its portfolio, one of Austria’s oldest wineries and described as "best exponents" of Grüner Veltliner.

Protection of origin for sweet wines from Lake Neusiedl

Published: 13 October, 2020

Austria's Ruster Ausbruch has been given legal protection of its origin [as Ruster Ausbruch DAC], creating the first Districtus Austriae Controllatus (DAC) regulation exclusively for sweet wine.

The Drinks Trust launches End of Furlough Grant

Published: 13 October, 2020

The Drinks Trust has launched a grant to help those experiencing immediate financial hardship as a result of the end of the government’s furlough scheme, which winds up on 31 October.

WSTA reiterates concerns for “overlooked” supply chain

Published: 13 October, 2020

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has reiterated its concerns for businesses that supply the hospitality sector.

UK spirits exports face huge strain

Published: 13 October, 2020

The UK’s burgeoning spirits industry has taken a hit, with exports significantly down in the first half of 2020.

Johnson confirms three-tier lockdown system

Published: 12 October, 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the introduction of a three-tier lockdown system that sets out different rules for regions classified as being on ‘medium’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’ alert.