Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Aperol continues to lead the way for Campari Group

Published: 05 March, 2019

The demand for Italian aperitifs is still going strong, after sales of Aperol jumped 56% in the UK last year.

Portman group tackles ‘offensive marketing’ in sixth code of practice

Published: 05 March, 2019

UK alcohol regulator the Portman Group has updated its packaging and promotional guidance for society’s evolving standards, including a new rule around ‘offence’.

Carluccio’s boss calls out casual dining operators for aggressive expansion plans

Published: 04 March, 2019

Carluccio’s CEO has criticised the UK restaurant sector for focusing on “capex-heavy investments” – the same focus which almost brought the chain to brink of collapse last year.

France versus Italy: why the French are winning the aperitif game

Published: 01 March, 2019

This year marks 100 years since the birth of the new king of the cocktail world. Named after a thirsty Count who requested gin rather than soda water to be added to his favourite tipple, the negroni has played the long game, delighting drinkers with simple balance of Campari, sweet Italian vermouth, and of course, the juniper-based spirit. Today, it is number one cocktail served with gin – even more popular than the martini.

WSTA and LWF reveal results of UK importers Brexit survey

Published: 28 February, 2019

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed the results of a survey carried out at its recent roundtable, held in partnership with the London Wine Fair (LWF), looking ahead to the potential effects of various Brexit outcomes on the trade.

South America pips Italy into second place for UK drinkers

Published: 21 February, 2019

There has been a shift at the top of the UK’s hotly contested wine rankings, with the combined sales of South American heavyweights Chile and Argentina overtaking Italy, the UK’s second most quaffed region, in terms of value.

Single site Sicilian range Mandrarossa makes it to Liberty Wines

Published: 21 February, 2019

Liberty Wines is swelling the ranks of its Sicilian portfolio with new producer, Mandrarossa.

Chancellor’s wine hikes to go live at midnight

Published: 01 February, 2019

The wine industry is being warned to prepare for today’s rise in duty, which will push up a bottle of still wine by 7p to £2.23 overnight.

Q&A: Piotr Pietras MS, independent wine consultant and SITT On-Trade Ambassador

Published: 28 January, 2019

Piotr Pietras MS, former director of wine at London’s Hide, has taken on the newly-created role of on-trade ambassador for SITT (Specialist Importer Trade Tastings). Harpers caught up with him about his plans for the role and for tips on the on-trade wine scene too.

UK still ‘litmus test’ as global benchmark for wine brands

Published: 28 January, 2019

The UK market continues to be the shop window for the world of wine, with the on-trade driving premium sales.

Ruinart offers once in a lifetime trip to top UK sommelier

Published: 23 January, 2019

Time is running out to sign up for the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2019, which will result in one young UK-based sommelier heading on an all-expenses paid trip to Champagne.

Aussie backstop will safeguard Australian wine exports post-Brexit

Published: 22 January, 2019

Australia will continue to trade with the UK, its biggest export market by volume and third by value, on its current terms post-Brexit.

Concha y Toro UK rings in bumper Christmas as supermarkets break sales records

Published: 21 January, 2019

Temperatures were unseasonably mild over Christmas, and from the latest results, it looks like things were unexpectedly cosy for UK retail.

Liberty pushes into new frontiers ahead of Brexit

Published: 16 January, 2019

An English winemaker, a French winemaker and an Italian winemaker walk into a winebar.

New Zealand's evolving vinous landscape

Published: 10 January, 2019

New Zealand’s wine scene has come a long way since its inception in the 1970s. Jamie Goode meets the personalities driving change in leading region Marlborough

Spotlight on 2020: Doug Wregg, Les Cave de Pyrene

Published: 07 January, 2019

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Hatch Mansfield signs distribution deal for Gaja

Published: 07 January, 2019

Hatch Mansfield has signed a deal as the exclusive UK agent for the Gaja family, marking the first Italian producer to join its portfolio

Looking ahead: Stephen Finch, Vagabond Wines

Published: 03 January, 2019

Once again we are catching up with the trade to find out how businesses looked to make the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Andrew Lundy, MD, Vino

Published: 02 January, 2019

Once again we are catching up with the trade to find out how businesses made the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Robin Copestick, MD, Copestick Murray

Published: 02 January, 2019

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.