The Drinks Wholesaler: Intriguing Times

Welcome to our autumn issue of Drinks Wholesaler, which is packed with the usual medley of analysis, insights, viewpoints and features, plus original research into the wine market, commissioned and shared by Crown Cellars, appearing for the first time here. 

Top ten tweets from National Wine Day

International Cool Climate Wine Symposium: Cool viticulture the hot topic in Brighton

As the 9^th International Cool Climate Wine Symposium opened its doors in Brighton yesterday, a 30-country strong delegation of 600 producers, exhibitors, marketers and communicators descended on the seaside town for a three day event dedicated to examining all aspects of making and marketing fine wine from cool climates

Whiskey, rum and vodka triumph against the odds to beat gin in consumer poll

Vodka, whiskey and rum have dominated a campaign to find the nation's favourite craft spirits - despite gin making up 80% of the entries.

Wine range strategy for M&S focuses on sub £10 range

Garry Brooking, trading manager for Marks & Spencer, and his team of buyers and wine selectors were on celebratory form at the M&S Spring Press Tasting last week, having just knocked Tesco off the top spot for the most own brand medal wins in this year's International Wine Challenge.

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

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

Report: Brands need to adapt to changing behaviours of early adopters

Drinks brands are missing out on reaching early adopters to products in the on-trade, a new study has suggested.

Nyetimber at LWW: Consumers open to wine like never before

This week is London Wine Week (LWW) when punters can sample some of the best wine that the capital has to offer.

London and Glasgow leading the way for UK employment growth

The UK wine and spirits industry has seen employee numbers grow by 1.7 per cent in the last year, with Glasgow and London leading the way in terms of contributions to UK talent.

Harpers Awards 2016 open for entry!

The Harpers Awards 2016 are now open, celebrating the best of what the UK on and off-trade has to offer.

Competition rivals working together to put Aberdeen on the map

Three bartenders from Aberdeen who have reached the final of a national bartending competition say that competitions have become a sure-fire way to turn a city into drinking hotspot.

Aldi trials pop-up stand alone wine shop as part of London Wine Week

As part of London Wine Week and to raise awareness of its e-commerce site amongst consumers, supermarket discounter Aldi has opened a pop-up wine shop in Shoreditch's Boxpark.

Jamaican rum's master blender witnesses technology revolution during 35-year career

Joy Spence, master blender at Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, has seen rum production revolutionised over the course of three-and-a-half decades in her chosen field.

"Bartenders changed everything," says Wild Turkey master distiller as he celebrates 35 years in the industry

Eddie Russell, master distiller at Wild Turkey grew up in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, in the heart of bourbon-making country.

The Wine Show's Amelia Singer on being a social (media) butterfly

Amelia Singer, presenter of ITV's The Wine Show, is focusing on bringing new audiences to wine with her fun and friendly presence on social media.

Copestick Murray sells remaining 40% share to Henkell & Co

Henkell & Co announced yesterday that they have purchased the remaining 40% share of Copestick Murray.

Wines from Canada gather momentum in the UK

At Taste Canada UK 2016, 34 producers from different territories across Canada were showcasing more than 150 wines with many looking to find importers into the UK.

$100 million of counterfeit wine in circulation

The wine and drinks industry is under attack from fraudsters selling fake packaging and counterfeit alcohol - and thanks to new technology, the problem is only going to worsen.

Bibendum to focus on adding premium value, with Chinese portfolio also in pipeline

Bibendum used its spring press tasting to send a message of reassurance to the trade that it's "business as usual" following its recent £60 million purchase by Conviviality

Gilbert's Grape: One night in Rioja

As a wine journalist, I have been told I can expect to see hundreds of barrel rooms and vineyards in the course of my new career.