By Lisa Riley - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The Champagne Academy appoints new chair

Published: 06 February, 2019

The Champagne Academy has appointed Alice Archer as its new chair for 2019 taking over from Marcus Little.

IWC stickers boost sales by up to 700%

Published: 06 February, 2019

Bottles of wine labelled with foil stickers awarded by the International Wine Challenge (IWC) can sell seven times more than an identical bottle of wine with no sticker, a study by the IWC has revealed.

Italian wine under investigation for diluting expensive wines with mediocre grapes

Published: 05 February, 2019

At least 50 Italian organisations related to wine production, including vineyards and bottling companies, are reported to be under investigation for diluting expensive wines with mediocre grapes.

Famille Helfrich reveals exclusive Calvet range for on-trade and indies

Published: 05 February, 2019

Famille Helfrich is poised to unveil a new Calvet range exclusively created and designed for the on-trade and independents.

CA Grands Crus sells two Bordeaux estates

Published: 04 February, 2019

CA Grand Crus has put two of its Bordeaux estates up for sale - Château Blaignan (Médoc) and Château La Tour de Mons (Margaux).

Bancroft Wines teams up with Château de Berne

Published: 04 February, 2019

Bancroft Wines is now the official agent for Château de Berne in the UK.

Diageo first-half sales up 6% boosted by strong UK performance

Published: 31 January, 2019

Diageo has reported a 5.8% increase in net sales to £6.9 billion boosted by a strong GB performance.

Berkmann appoints director of fine wine & private clients

Published: 30 January, 2019

Berkmann Wine Cellars has appointed Guillem Kerambrun to a newly created director of fine wine & private clients role.

TWE hires Tony Watson as commercial director for UK and Ireland

Published: 30 January, 2019

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has appointed Tony Watson as commercial director for the UK and Ireland. It follows the promotion of Michelle Brampton to managing director, Europe in November.

Citrus best for Sauvignon Blanc say consumers

Published: 30 January, 2019

A citrusy Sauvignon Blanc is the UK’s favourite, according to a new report.

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs GB announces the Gerard Basset Tasting Trophy

Published: 28 January, 2019

The British branch of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs has launched a new award for its Young Sommelier Competition in honour of Gerard Basset MS, MW, OBE, who lost his battle with cancer and passed away on 17 January.

‘Perfect storm’ causes glass shortage and price hikes for UK wine industry

Published: 24 January, 2019

The UK wine industry is running out of glass, creating unprecedented price hikes for bottlers - and the situation is unlikely to be resolved before 2020.

Stannary St Wine Co appoints fine wine account manager

Published: 24 January, 2019

Stannary St Wine Co has expanded its team with the addition of Kim Suddens as fine wine account manager.

Charles Metcalfe to host The Benevolent Ball

Published: 24 January, 2019

The Benevolent has revealed Charles Metcalfe is to host The Benevolent Ball this year.

Gin boom sees England overtake Scotland in distillery numbers

Published: 24 January, 2019

The increasing popularity of gin has seen the number of distilleries in England nudge past Scotland for the first time, according to HMRC.

Hallgarten appoints new head of marketing

Published: 24 January, 2019

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has hired Colin Cameron in the newly created role of head of marketing.

Gerard Basset memoirs fully funded within days

Published: 23 January, 2019

The crowdfunding initiative to back the publication of the memoirs of Gerard Basset MS, MW, OBE seeks to set up a scholarship in his name as it reaches £14,000 target within days of launching.

South Africa records export value growth but sliding volumes

Published: 22 January, 2019

The South African wine industry has recorded 4% growth in value exports to R9.06 billion in 2018, but volumes fell 6% due to the small size of recent vintages.