Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Rock Rose goes postal with recyclable pouches

Published: 30 September, 2019

Rock Rose has signed a deal with the Royal Mail which will make it the first gin to offer fully recyclable 70cl refill pouches.

Torres calls for action on climate change

Published: 30 September, 2019

Family-run Spanish wine producer Familia Torres has renewed its call for more action on climate change and declared its support for Fridays For Future, the international youth movement inspired by activist Greta Thunberg.

Bulk savings

Published: 02 September, 2019

Importing wine into the UK in bulk used to be all about saving money. Now it’s about saving the planet, too, as Simon Jack reports.

Saving graces

Published: 29 August, 2019

As businesses large and small focus on long-term sustainability goals, Lucy Britner goes back to basics to find out what practical measures producers are taking to ensure their socio-economic and environmental longevity

Serving up sustainability

Published: 21 August, 2019

Sustainability encompasses myriad aspects of business and production. These range from the big-ticket environmental and carbon-emission concerns – seeking to mitigate and adapt in the face of now-rapid climate change – to the socio-economic, whereby workers and employees are offered a fairer deal, including aspects of pay, work conditions, education and advancement.

Sustainability: a transatlantic conversation with California Wines

Published: 13 August, 2019

Harpers and California Wine Institute hosted an insightful and far-reaching seminar at London’s Design Museum, delivering the core message that the wine world is well-placed to better engage consumers in supporting the true costs of advancing sustainability. Andrew Catchpole reports

Sustainable British winemakers to unite under WineGB banner

Published: 26 July, 2019

A new initiative created with the aim of supporting UK growers and winemakers in their efforts to produce sustainable wines has been given an official name.

Wine can drive sustainability agenda, but thinking needs ‘generational change’

Published: 12 July, 2019

Consumers need to get behind the agricultural sector to support the true costs of sustainability, but while the wine industry is well-placed to advance this message, there is still a long way to go.

Trade should stop bottling it on carbon emissions

Published: 28 June, 2019

Bottling and packaging play by far the largest role in the green house gas (GHG) emissions generated by the production and distribution of a wine, contributing 42% of the total carbon footprint, delivering a clear ‘innovation challenge’ for the trade if it is to fully join the march towards greater sustainability.

Fit for the future

Published: 26 June, 2019

Maison Martell has formed a dynamic partnership aimed at preparing its vineyards for climate breakdown, as Alison Reid, of ethical-hedonist.com, reports.

Pinkster aims to tap cocktail trend with NPD

Published: 25 June, 2019

Raspberry-infused gin brand Pinkster has added a cocktail mix to its menu.

Q&A: Justine McGovern and Damien Jackman, directors, California Wine Institute UK & Ireland

Published: 21 June, 2019

Ahead of a joint Harpers-California Wine Institute session on sustainability (details below), Andrew Catchpole catches up with the team fronting the Golden State’s wines

Harpers and California Wines to host ‘transatlantic conversation’ on sustainability

Published: 12 June, 2019

Harpers is partnering with California Wine Institute to run a sustainability-focused event at London’s Design Museum on 11 July, bringing together West Coast and UK views and insights into one of the most prominent topics of the day.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene bans glyphosate in its vineyards

Published: 11 June, 2019

The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has forbidden the use of glyphosate in its vineyards.

Hatch Mansfield unveils latest sustainability initiative

Published: 05 June, 2019

Hatch Mansfield has announced its next sustainability initiative is a borehole project in the North region of Uganda.

Bordeaux pushes sustainability agenda

Published: 28 May, 2019

At first glance, it seems inconceivable that a tradition-bound region such as Bordeaux could willingly embrace change. The strict hierarchy of Bordeaux’s classed growths, cemented in 1855, is as intransigent as it was in the 19th century. Bordeaux’s winemakers remain defined by the vines and the soil they inherit.

Ruffino releases three new sustainable wines

Published: 17 May, 2019

Ruffino has “confirmed its commitment to environmental responsibility” by introducing three organic-certified wines, a Chianti, a Prosecco and a Pinot Grigio.

Santa Rita says $25m investment in sustainability will pay long-term dividends

Published: 14 May, 2019

South American producer Santa Rita Estates (SRE) says it doesn’t regret ploughing $25 million USD into sustainability initiatives over the past five years, despite sustainable and organic cues having less sway with consumers.