News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

NZW reveals wine week programme

Published: 07 January, 2021

New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has revealed the content of its inaugural New Zealand Wine Week, which kicks off a month tomorrow (8 February) as a virtual event.

Harpers 48h blackout: We’re still here

Published: 07 January, 2021

In a very 2020 twist to the New Year, Harpers was welcomed into January with multiple power blackouts which cut all access to our email server.

New Horizons Q&A: Louise Gordon, Heckfield Place

Published: 07 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for a better year.

Sunak announces top up grants for hospitality

Published: 05 January, 2021

Businesses in the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors, including suppliers, are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000 to help them through to the spring, the Chancellor has announced.

Takeaway alcohol banned in latest lockdown

Published: 05 January, 2021

Bars, pubs and restaurants have been banned from selling takeaway alcohol under England’s latest lockdown rules announced by Boris Johnson last night.

BWS supermarket sales surge 25%

Published: 05 January, 2021

Supermarket sales of beer, wines and spirits (BWS) surged 25% to £4.9m in the 12 weeks to 27 December – an increase of £972m compared to the same period last year, according to Kantar data released today.

UKH calls for recovery roadmap and pledges to assist vaccine roll-out

Published: 05 January, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) has called for a road map to recovery and has committed to assisting the vaccine roll-out.

New Horizons Q&A: Nick Devlin, Naked Wines

Published: 05 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for the year ahead.

Scotland to enter national lockdown

Published: 04 January, 2021

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that restrictions similar to the lockdown of March last year will be implemented in Scotland from midnight tonight (4 January), meaning bars, restaurants and pubs across the country will be forced to close.

Vinpro: ‘Deeply concerned by the blanket approach to alcohol trade’

Published: 04 January, 2021

Vinpro has warned of the “devastating consequences” of the reinstated alcohol ban in South Africa as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 28 December.

Hayward Bros adds trio of agencies

Published: 04 January, 2021

Hayward Bros has added three new agencies to its portfolio.

WSET appoints McMurtrie chair as Jago and Locke join board

Published: 04 January, 2021

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced that Simon McMurtrie is to take over as chairman of its Board of Trustees, replacing Nick Hyde who has served as chairman for the last three years.

New Horizons Q&A: Paul Jenkins, Caprice Holdings

Published: 04 January, 2021

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for the year ahead.

Nicholls awarded OBE

Published: 04 January, 2021

UK Hospitality (UKH) CEO Kate Nicholls has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list for her services to the hospitality sector.

Tiers escalated for much of England

Published: 17 December, 2020

Health secretary Matt Hancock has announced that large swathes of England will go into Tier 3 this weekend, as infection rates re-climb towards their April peak.

Daou Family Estates outlines climate strategy

Published: 17 December, 2020

California’s Daou Family Estates has revealed the ‘three phase approach’ it is employing to tackle heatwaves and cold snaps in the vineyard, which have become more extreme over the past decade.

That’s it for 2020: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Harpers

Published: 17 December, 2020

As we teeter on the edge of 2021, a new year and a fresh shot at health and prosperity for the drinks trade, Harpers would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas break in whatever form that takes this year.

New Horizons Q&A: Ted Sandbach, Oxford Wine Company

Published: 17 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties play out across an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses as to their predictions for trade deep into the new year.

Long Read: A virtual Christmas will pave the course for 2021

Published: 17 December, 2020

While big parties and large gatherings may be off the menu, premium drinks sales are still expected to grow this Christmas thanks to the rise and rise of online channels.