Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spirits drive UK exports to China

Published: 10 December, 2019

Sales of UK spirits to China are up 35.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2019, a new report from the Food and Drink Federation has revealed.

Penfolds Grange set to break auction record

Published: 10 December, 2019

A complete 65-bottle run of Penfold’s Grange is predicted to sell for at least £180,000 when it goes under the hammer this week.

Aldi picks Lyme Bay for first own-brand English fizz

Published: 09 December, 2019

Aldi has chosen the Dorset-based Lyme Bay Winery to produce an English sparkling wine for its premium ‘Exquisite Collection’.

Accolade appoints new European marketing director

Published: 09 December, 2019

Accolade Wines has appointed Caroline Thompson-Hill to the role of European marketing director.

Drinks sales rescue on-trade from weak November

Published: 09 December, 2019

Drinks sales in Britain’s pubs helped the on-trade stay in growth in November, latest monthly food-and-drink data from the Coffer Peach Tracker has shown.

Concerns DRS scheme could cause havoc with labelling laws

Published: 06 December, 2019

The new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers could cause chaos for products bound for differing parts of the UK, an industry body has warned.

Diageo buys Tipplesworth to drive cocktails ‘on tap’ growth

Published: 03 December, 2019

Diageo has acquired pre-mix cocktail specialist Tipplesworth for an undisclosed sum.

Tempus Two targets consumer thirst for Oz Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 02 December, 2019

Premium Australian wine brand Tempus Two, which is part of the Australian Vintage portfolio, has added a Sauvignon Blanc to its Quartz series.

Shoppers prize green values over brand loyalty, research shows

Published: 02 December, 2019

Over three-quarters of UK grocery buyers have made buying decisions based on a brand’s environmental policies in the last year, new research from data insights consultancy Kantar has revealed.

Bacardí names UK winners of cocktail competition

Published: 29 November, 2019

Five UK bartenders have made it through to the finals of the Bacardí Legacy international cocktail competition.

Cava partners with molecular food-and-wine expert

Published: 29 November, 2019

The Cava DO has partnered with Canadian sommelier and molecular scientist François Chartier to map the international food-pairing ability of its wines.

Nero d’Avola named Britain’s favourite wine

Published: 29 November, 2019

Sicilian red Nero d’Avola came out on top in a mass blind tasting at Majestic stores across the UK.

Volumes at Rathfinny set to double as it launches first en primeur campaign

Published: 20 November, 2019

Rathfinny has launched its first ever en primeur campaign via its Classic Cuvée, which is being positioned as a more accessible entry point to the Sussex estate’s premium range.

Speciality Brands signs distribution deal for Beluga

Published: 20 November, 2019

Speciality Brands has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor for vodka brand Beluga.

Pernod Ricard partnership to bring Baijiu to the international market

Published: 19 November, 2019

Baijiu, China’s most popular and deeply historic spirit, could be making its way to the UK thanks to a new partnership with French giant Pernod Ricard.

Friday read: Latitude, altitude and attitude – the quest for balance and personality in Argentina

Published: 15 November, 2019

Bodega Norton and Viñalba have both played key roles in Argentina’s vinous revolution, helping to establish the country as a beacon of quality and price on the world stage. Through the lens of these two Mendonza wineries in both Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, Jo Gilbert charts how the country got to where it is today, and how a new wave of winemakers are heading outwards to explore Argentina’s terroir.

Cava Discovery Week aims to get consumers drinking “better cava”

Published: 14 November, 2019

"The future’s about quality” is the tag line for a new campaign which is looking to reinstate Cava’s premium position in the UK market.

Gin: Ascending the throne

Published: 14 November, 2019

It’s been on the cards for some time. Back in 2014, there were rumblings that gin was poised to overtake vodka as the UK’s spirit of choice in time for the new decade.

Specialist Indies talk shop and more...

Published: 13 November, 2019

Independent wine merchants are specialist retailers in their own right offering a service, range and expertise that more general retailers, such as grocers, will always struggle to match.

Expansion helped insulate against climate challenges, says top Burgundy estate

Published: 13 November, 2019

Things have been tough in European vineyards over the past few years, with Burgundy appellations some of the worst hit in terms of frost damage in 2016 and 2017.