News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

The week that was

Published: 16 February, 2018

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

Oregon and Washington opt for London ‘Encounter’ in latest shake up of generic tasting formats

Published: 16 February, 2018

The annual Oregon and Washington tasting in London is to morph into a series of highly focused events this year, with each targeting a specific interest group in the UK trade under the banner ‘Encounter Oregon and Washington State Wines’.

Barry Dick MW joins Copestick Murray as head of winemaking

Published: 16 February, 2018

Copestick Murray has appointed Barry Dick MW to head up the the i heart distributor's wine portfolio.

SITT Manchester and London shine spotlight on Grenache, Hungary and Chile

Published: 16 February, 2018

With the SITT Manchester and London tastings just over a week away, we can bring you a taster of some of the great masterclasses and hosts lined up for visitors on the day.

TWE declares war on Rush Rich and other ‘copycat operators’

Published: 16 February, 2018

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) is embroiled in yet another legal challenge, this time against a label which it claims intentionally riffs off the look and feel of one of its flagship Australian brands.

Sparkling wine, Chile and premium spirits forecast to continue to buck UK downward consumption trend

Published: 15 February, 2018

The growth in sparkling wine, along with premium gin, rum and whisky, is set to continue beyond 2021, helping offset the impart on value sales of a 10-year decline in consumption.

WineGB unveils new branding and 2018 activity

Published: 15 February, 2018

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) has unveiled its new branding following the merger of Vineyards Association (UKVA) and English Wine Producers (EWP), and the subsequent name change, last year.

Star wines and evolution trails at Wines from Spain's annual trade tasting

Published: 15 February, 2018

This year’s Wines from Spain annual trade tasting will highlight the opportunities from Spain’s myriad DOs, styles, grape varieties and terroirs, with importers also selecting their ‘star wines’ from across the on and off-trades.

The Wine Society CEO McMillan steps down

Published: 15 February, 2018

The Wine Society has announced its CEO of almost six years,Robin McMillan, will be stepping down at the end of this month.

Beefeater to paint town pink with launch of strawberry gin

Published: 14 February, 2018

Pernod Ricard is stepping up its engagement with the gin category with the launch of Beefeater Pink this April.

Sir George Fistonich steps down as Villa Maria CEO after 55 years

Published: 14 February, 2018

Top New Zealand winery Villa Maria has a new CEO.

Sparkling sales continue to fizz in the UK

Published: 14 February, 2018

Sales of sparkling grew by 6% in volume and 9% in value in the off-trade last year, showing the popularity of the category continues to rise.

Conviviality signs deal as Marqués de Riscal distributor

Published: 13 February, 2018

Conviviality has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor of Marqués de Riscal, taking over from Barwell & Jones.

Newcomer Wines launches Central European wine fair

Published: 13 February, 2018

Newcomer Wines has revealed it is to hold its first UK fair to promote Central European wines.

Gonzalez Byass goes sherry light with a twist on an old classic

Published: 13 February, 2018

Packed out sherry and port stands at Gonzalez Byass UK’s tasting yesterday showed there is strength in the traditional fortified category, with Quinta do Noval and flagship Tio Pepe brand drawing crowds.

Wine Intelligence predicts bright future for sparkling in China

Published: 13 February, 2018

Wine Intelligence has predicted sparkling wine consumption in China is poised to take off boosted by a wave of more affordable options.

Rathfinny reveals Sussex sparkling launch details

Published: 13 February, 2018

Rathfinny Estate has announced the highly anticipated launch of its first Sussex sparkling wines will take place at Somerset House in London on April 24th.

British gin exports exceed £500 million for the first time

Published: 12 February, 2018

Exports of British gin have broken the half a billion-pound mark for the first time.

UK organic wine market back on track

Published: 12 February, 2018

Paused by the recession, the UK market for organic wine is back on track, boosted by millennials and their quest for healthier living, alongside consumers in general paying increasing attention to the origins of both food and drink.

Vinventions grows global market share as volumes rise

Published: 12 February, 2018

Wine closures specialist Vinventions has reported ‘considerable’ volume growth, delivering 2.7 billion closures in 2017 compared to 2.5 billion the previous year.