Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Insights: The trade’s post-Covid recovery

Published: 13 March, 2024

Following the release of Liberty Wines’ premium on-trade report, James Bayley assesses the state of the trade in the period following the lockdowns.

Liberty Report: premium on-trade wine sales still below pre-Covid levels

Published: 23 February, 2024

Wholesaler and importer Liberty Wines has released its premium on-trade report covering the two years following the final Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2021.

Sogrape strengthens in Iberia

Published: 22 February, 2024

Sogrape, Portugal’s largest wine company, has increased its Iberian presence with the acquisition of Viña Mayor in Ribera del Duero’s ‘Golden Mile’.

Australia: Looking up

Published: 29 January, 2024

With Australia seeking a premium boost, Andrew Catchpole asks if its classic or contemporary styles are best positioned to deliver an ‘Oz reset’ in the UK.

Liberty doubles down on ‘giving good reasons to buy’

Published: 25 January, 2024

Liberty Wines always comes out batting strong at its busy annual portfolio tasting at The Oval, and this year was no exception, with some 25 countries represented, along with fortified, spirits, alcohol free and olive oils.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: Tom Platt, Liberty Wines

Published: 02 January, 2024

Following another eventful year for the drinks trade, Tom Platt, CEO of Liberty Wines, reflects on the highs and lows of 2023, plus hopes and plans for the business in the year ahead.

Enoteca Turi partners with David Gleave of Liberty Wines

Published: 23 October, 2023

Enoteca Turi, the Italian restaurant that has been a staple of the London dining scene for over three decades, has announced its acquisition by restaurateurs Dominic Ford and Krishan Katyal, in partnership with David Gleave of Liberty Wines.

Liberty welcomes record number of visitors to familiar turf

Published: 20 January, 2023

Liberty Wines is celebrating a bumper tasting at its usual Oval hunting ground on Tuesday (17 February), where a record number of visitors made the pilgrimage to its annual portfolio event.

Barnes and Morris scoop André Simon Awards for best drinks books

Published: 10 March, 2022

South American specialist Amanda Barnes and Burgundy expert Jasper Morris MW are among the recipients of the latest gongs at the annual André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards.

Soapbox: Duty to change

Published: 14 January, 2022

With time fast ticking, Liberty Wines director of insights & business development, Alex Linsley, shares his company’s deep concerns around the government alcohol duty review, which is under consultation until 30 January 2022.

Liberty Wines announces leadership reshuffle

Published: 17 December, 2021

Liberty Wines is making some significant change to its core team, including David Gleave MW stepping down as the company’s MD.

Liberty report: Reversal of off/on-trade trends buffers hospitality recovery

Published: 03 November, 2021

Liberty Wines’ latest report has noted the positive effect of the reversal of the trends from the on to the off-trade over the course of the pandemic, with the growth in popularity of independent wine retailers during lockdown and an overall move towards experimentation feeding back into the on-trade and helping to boost sales.

Liberty Wines goes ‘carbon neutral plus’

Published: 18 October, 2021

Liberty Wines has revealed that it has become the only ‘carbon neutral plus’ UK wine supplier – offsetting more emissions than the business generates.

IWC 2021 award winners revealed

Published: 30 June, 2021

The International Wine Challenge (IWC) has revealed the winners of its much anticipated annual awards at its first in-person gala dinner this evening since the beginning of the pandemic.

Six leading Australian wine importers to host new tasting event

Published: 01 June, 2021

Six leading importers of Australian wine are to host a new trade and press tasting called Deep Down Under which will showcase 150 wines by 56 of Australia’s winemakers.

Liberty’s Mary Wright snaps up Vintners’ Cup at WSET ceremony

Published: 18 March, 2021

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is today holding a virtual graduation ceremony to recognise the achievements of graduates who completed their WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines in 2019/20.

Liberty strengthens senior management team

Published: 02 March, 2021

Liberty Wines has created three new roles to strengthen its senior management team, after a successful year despite the global pandemic.

Jeroboams appoints Lucie Parker as trade director

Published: 17 February, 2021

Jeroboams Trade, the wholesale business within the independent Jeroboams Group, has appointed Lucie Parker to the role of trade director.

A duty to industry

Published: 15 February, 2021

Will the chancellor address the continuing controversy over punishing duty rates in the wine and spirits sectors in the 3 March Budget? Lisa Riley reports.

Opportunities abound

Published: 27 January, 2021

The likelihood of a free trade agreement between the UK and Australia has led to optimism among many wine producers that new possibilities lie ahead. Andrew Catchpole reports.