Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Morrisons extends deal with Ocado, expanding delivery nationwide

Published: 10 August, 2016

Yesterday Morrisons announced it struck a new deal with online delivery service Ocado, expanding its current services nationwide.

WSTA to support British Distillers Alliance through Brexit

Published: 10 August, 2016

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has pledged to advise, support and protect smaller producers through the current period of economic and political uncertainty.

Think Indie Drink Indie: Selling independence

Published: 10 August, 2016

At last month's Think Indie Drink Indie event, attendees listened as a panel of leading merchants and 'outside' experts discussed how merchants can best leverage the powerful USP of being independent in an increasingly consolidated world.

Gin to star in its first full-length feature film

Published: 09 August, 2016

Gin has become the runaway star of the spirits industry in recent times - and it now starring in its own movie.

The Wine Show's Joe Fattorini to run Médoc Marathon raising £5K for The Benevolent

Published: 09 August, 2016

ITV's 'The Wine Show' presenter Joe Fattorini is set to run the Médoc Marathon and aims to raise £5,000 for drinks charity The Benevolent.

Diageo dropping the "Guinness" from name of its US beer business

Published: 09 August, 2016

Diageo is changing the name of its beer business in the US from Diageo-Guinness USA to Diageo Beer Co. USA to broaden its appeal.

CAMRA calls on government to rethink drinking advice

Published: 09 August, 2016

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling for the Department of Health to launch a new public consultation into whether alcohol guidelines are fit for purpose and evidenced based.

Thirst for craft beer on the rise at Matthew Clark's boutique beer fest

Published: 08 August, 2016

Matthew Clark reported a bumper number of visitors to its Boutique Beers Festival held at British Summertime Hyde Park this summer - up 20% on last year.

Brexit could put "dangerous" pressure on companies to cut corners

Published: 08 August, 2016

Brexit could lead to 'hazy' grape traceability and dangerous practices thanks to a squeezed industry post brexit.

Nearly 90% of UK wine drinkers considering themselves 'wine buffs'

Published: 08 August, 2016

According to a recent survey of 1,586 Brits, conducted by UK research and consulting firm Ginger Research, 88% of respondents said they considered themselves a wine buff or a wine lover.

New HMRC spirit production guidelines drafted to help improve business licensing

Published: 08 August, 2016

New guidelines are being drafted by the HMRC to help distillers looking to apply to become a licensed spirit producers in the UK easier.

DrinkSupermarket teams up with Debenhams for gifting service

Published: 08 August, 2016

Online retailer DrinkSupermarket will be supplying beers, wines and spirits to a leading UK department store as part of a premium gifting service.

WineTutor TV reaches 90% of the world's MW students

Published: 08 August, 2016

An innovative video learning platform for MW hopefuls has reached a global audience since being launched by Tim Wildman MW.

Proposal seeks to replace "outdated" Rioja classifications

Published: 05 August, 2016

A Spanish winery is lobbying to change guidelines to make it easier for premium and super premium wineries to differentiate themselves from others in the "Rioja brand".

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 05 August, 2016

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.

Euro 2016 boosts sales in Irish grocery retailers

Published: 05 August, 2016

Irish grocery retailers saw an uplift in sales thanks to Euro 2016, with sales rising by 3.3% compared with last year.

Ten tips on how to hit the right note with craft beer

Published: 05 August, 2016

The mighty craft pound has definitely paid off when it comes to specialty beer.

In-depth: 50 Best Indies winners

Published: 05 August, 2016

Voted for by our 100-strong and fully independent countrywide judging academy, these exciting new awards are designed to recognise those independent merchants that have done the most to drive forward quality and innovation in the retail of wines, beers and spirits.

Graham Norton expands his wine range

Published: 04 August, 2016

Following the tremendous success of his own-label sauvignon blanc, Graham Norton will be expanding production the GN Sauvignon Blanc and will be adding an Australian Shiraz to the range this Autumn.

Lord Maude to speak on new trading arrangements post-Brexit at WSTA conference

Published: 04 August, 2016

The former Minister for Trade and Minister for Europe, Lord Francis Maude, will be the keynote speaker at this year's WSTA Annual Conference, which will take 'Brexit and the changing shape of the industry' as its theme.