Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 18 July, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Rémy Cointreau still in decline after latest results released

Published: 18 July, 2014

Rémy Cointreau released its Q1 2014/2015 results today, reporting organic sales have slipped another 5.7% during Q1 ending on June 30, 2014 with the decline being driven by Remy Martin Cognac revenue continuing to fall another 15%.

Wines From Spain Awards 2014 winners announced

Published: 18 July, 2014

Wines From Spain Awards 2014 announced the 102 winners of its annual competition where over 700 Spanish wines were tasted by the judging panel headed up by Tim Atkin MW.

Andy Palmer on why big brands have forgotten advertising is about "selling"

Published: 18 July, 2014

There is a prevailing school of thought in the advertising business that to change consumer behaviour you first need to change consumer attitudes [and by consumer behaviour we mean getting people to buy stuff].

Five wines awarded Champion status at the IWC 2014 awards

Published: 17 July, 2014

France, Germany, Australia, and Portugal shared the honours last night as the overall Champion Wines were announced at the 31st annual International Wine Challenge awards ceremony in London.

Geronimo airport pubs offer travellers phone chargers

Published: 17 July, 2014

Pub and bar operator Geronimo Inns will offer customers complimentary phone chargers at its Heathrow pubs to allow them to recharge and comply with new airport security rules.

Berry Bros & Rudd and Roberson win Independent Merchants of the year at IWC 2014

Published: 17 July, 2014

Berry Bros & Rudd and Roberson Wine were named Large and Small Independent Merchant of the Year at last night's International Wine Challenge awards dinner.

South Africa's Charles Back receives a Lifetime Achievement award at IWC 2014

Published: 17 July, 2014

Legendary South African winemaker and producer, Charles Back, received the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Wine Challenge awards dinner last night in London.

Tesco ramps up Finest range in response to consumers

Published: 17 July, 2014

Tesco customers' calls for increased variety in its Finest wine range were answered this week as the supermarket added seven new wines - including a Riesling from Slovenia.

World Cup boosts pub drink sales, but food suffers

Published: 17 July, 2014

The World Cup provided a 2.4% sales boost for wet-led pubs, but branded restaurants faced flat sales while pub restaurants saw revenues slide compared to June last year.

French dominate Winemakers of the Year at the IWC 2014

Published: 17 July, 2014

France dominated the overall winemaker awards at last night's International Wine Challenge dinner picking up three of the main five prizes handed out.

M&S named Supermarket of the Year by International Wine Challenge for second year running

Published: 17 July, 2014

Marks & Spencer has claimed the International Wine Challenge Supermarket of the Year award for the second year running.

Botham, Atherton and Gooch lead Lord's cricket celebration with Hardys wine

Published: 16 July, 2014

Legends from across cricket came together last night at Lord's to take part in a special trade dinner to mark the ground's 200 year anniversary and Hardys brand sponsorship of English cricket.

Glenrothes introduces a reserve edition matured in sherry casks from Jerez

Published: 16 July, 2014

The Glenrothes, the Speyside distillery, is releasing a new expression that has been matured in specified sherry casks in Jerez, southern Spain.

English Wine Producers revises ambitious target downwards

Published: 16 July, 2014

English Wine Producers has revised downwards ambitious targets of reaching £100 million worth of sales by next year, saying instead sales of £60 million are more likely.

Halfwine.com looks to crowdfunding to finance expansion

Published: 16 July, 2014

Halfwine.com, which specialises in selling 37.5cl bottles of wine, is looking to raise £30,000 in exchange for 15% of the company in order to drive the next phase in its development.

I Heart Wines to move into travel retail

Published: 16 July, 2014

Copestick Murray's I Heart wine brand is entering the travel retail market with the appointment of specialist distribution partner Red Zero 7.

Summer boosts sales of sparkling wine, says Nielsen

Published: 16 July, 2014

Fizz has fared well thanks to summer weather, with sales of sparkling wine up 18.9% on last year, according to the latest Nielsen data for the off-trade.

Special Yorkshire liqueur recreated in honour of the Brontë family

Published: 15 July, 2014

Sir James Aykroyd, former chairman of Speyside Distillers, has recreated a special liqueur in honour of the Brontë family and their home in Yorkshire.

Beautiful South offers themed tastings and winemaker debates on Chile, Argentina and South Africa

Published: 15 July, 2014

A central "meet the winemaker" themed area will be the central focus for this September's combined Beautiful South tasting featuring wines from Chile, South Africa and Argentina.