Legislation - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Portman Group releases label guidance for ‘Alcohol Alternatives’

Published: 17 January, 2024

Alcohol labelling regulators, The Portman Group, has released new guidance for ‘Alcohol Alternative’ products, defined as 0.5% abv or below.

Government consumes 1,400 bottles of wines and spirits between 2020-22

Published: 12 January, 2024

The UK government wine cellar has belatedly released its bi-annual report, revealing that 1,433 bottles of wine and spirits stock were consumed between 2020-2022, when the nation was subject to on-again, off-again Covid restrictions.

New wine label reforms take effect

Published: 02 January, 2024

As of yesterday (1 January 2024), several new wine reforms introduced by the government have taken effect, including the removal of importer addresses from wine labels.

Government lauds ‘pint’-sized wine as Brexit benefit

Published: 02 January, 2024

The UK government has permitted the sale of ‘pint’ sized still and sparkling wine across supermarkets, pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Scottish hospitality businesses denied rates relief

Published: 20 December, 2023

Following months of campaigning, leading hospitality bodies are ‘extremely disappointed’ with yesterday’s Budget announcement in Scotland.

New drink spiking measures introduced by government

Published: 19 December, 2023

Drink spiking is set to be targeted by police and door staff in a raft of new measures unveiled by the home secretary James Cleverly as the festive party-going season gets into full swing.

IWCA takes aim at COP28 in open letter

Published: 12 December, 2023

International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) has penned an open letter to wine trade CEOs and press regarding the forthcoming resolutions at COP28 in Dubai.

Concha y Toro brings forward net zero emissions goal by 10 years

Published: 05 December, 2023

Announced at COP28 in Dubai, Viña Concha y Toro has voluntarily committed itself to achieve net zero by 2040, rather than 2050 as called for by the Paris Agreement, after reducing its carbon emissions by 35% over the last five years.

Hospitality visas ineligibility skyrockets under new immigration laws

Published: 05 December, 2023

The UK government has announced it will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50%, from £26,200 to £38,700, in a move that could 'further shrink' the talent pool for UK hospitality.

Drinks companies Royal Warrants up for review after Queen’s death

Published: 01 December, 2023

A string of well-known wine and spirits companies will have their Royal Warrant of Appointment status reviewed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year.

FJ Gritsch winery leaves Austria’s Vinea Wachau

Published: 01 December, 2023

FJ Gritsch, the family-run Austrian winery, will leave the Wachau regional winegrowers’ association and instead classify its wines under the DAC pyramid of origin.

Trade reflects on ‘mixed-bag’ Autumn Statement

Published: 27 November, 2023

Following rumours of a second duty hike in line with inflation, the government quelled fears by announcing a freeze on alcohol duty in the Autumn Statement last week.

Alcohol Duty: ‘One tax rise in a year is alarming, two is unacceptable’

Published: 17 November, 2023

Ahead of the Autumn Statement on 22 November, senior figures in the wine industry are voicing their concerns amidst fears of a second alcohol duty rise in the space of four months.

Oxford Landing brings ‘duty-friendly’ wines to market

Published: 16 November, 2023

Oxford Landing Wines, owned by Australian winery Hill-Smith Family Estates, has launched two low-alcohol wines to the UK market.

Fears grow for second alcohol duty rise in less than a year

Published: 13 November, 2023

Wine and spirit businesses are calling on the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty until the end of parliament, when Jeremy Hunt delivers his Autumn Statement on 22 November.

SLTA ‘bitterly disappointed’ over Glasgow LEZ legal challenge

Published: 06 November, 2023

The (SLTA) Scottish Licensed Trade Association has said it is “bitterly disappointed” that a long-established Glasgow family business has lost its court battle against the city’s low emission zone (LEZ).

400 businesses demand alcohol duty freeze

Published: 06 November, 2023

Representatives of more than 400 businesses have written to the chancellor demanding an alcohol duty freeze in the Autumn Statement.

Bruce Jack Wines faces environmental threat from prospecting company

Published: 19 October, 2023

South African producer Bruce Jack Wines fears ‘irreversible environmental damage’, following the application of a mining company to mine for gold, silver and tin on farms outside Napier.

Fears grow for watered-down wine following Defra reforms

Published: 18 October, 2023

In what the government describes as a Brexit benefit, imported wine will soon have the option to be blended, carbonated, sweetened, and de-alcoholised in-market.