News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

UGA now on Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Labels

Published: 21 July, 2023

From 1 July 2023 the term 'UGA' has been permitted to appear on the label of Gran Selezione wines.

Philip Tuck MW passes away

Published: 21 July, 2023

It is with sadness that Harpers announces the death of Philip Tuck MW, wine director at Hatch Mansfield, who has passed away following an accident abroad.

Looking Back, Forging Ahead Q&A: John Colley, Majestic Wine

Published: 21 July, 2023

Midway through 2023, Harpers is taking stock of yet another turbulent year for the drinks trade, with plenty of highs and lows, so far. We kick off our series with John Colley, CEO and executive chairman, of Majestic Wine to find out how the year has gone so far and what the remainder may bring.

Friday read: Aeolian eruption

Published: 21 July, 2023

Like millions of cinema-goers, my interest in the Aeolian Islands was first piqued as a child watching Professor Otto Lidenbrook and his friends emerge from their Journey to the Centre of the Earth onto the volcanic island of Stromboli, drifting away on their raft as it erupts. More recently, it has been awakened by a brief trip to the remote seven island chain to taste some of the impressive wines being produced in the rich volcanic soils.

New pub finder app launches in London

Published: 20 July, 2023

A new free pub finder app “Pub Club” has launched this week to help Londoners seek out the best pub experiences in the capital.

Kingsland Drinks to bring Ukrainian wines to UK market

Published: 20 July, 2023

Kingsland Drinks has announced an exclusive deal to import and distribute Bolgrad wine from Ukraine into the UK drinks market.

Santorini prices edge towards Champagne

Published: 19 July, 2023

Santorini, the land of very old vines, is facing new challenges, with skyrocketing price-per-kilo costs putting them on par with some of the world’s most expensive.

Codorníu invests in UK Market with London Ad campaign

Published: 19 July, 2023

Codorníu, Spain’s largest producer of organic cava, has invested heavily in a new London advertising campaign in a bid to become the market-leading cava by 2025.

Chivas Brothers makes carbon cutting technologies ‘open source’ to industry

Published: 19 July, 2023

The Scotch whisky producer has deployed highly efficient heat recovery technologies within the whisky distillation process, halving carbon emissions at its Glentauchers distillery.

New venue revealed for sold out SITT Autumn

Published: 19 July, 2023

SITT Autumn, the trade event for specialist importers and independent buyers is now sold out with over 55 exhibitors signed up to attend the tastings.

Soaring costs in wine, staff and energy threatens hospitality

Published: 19 July, 2023

Red wine is one of several key commodities threatening the hospitality sector’s post-Covid-19 recovery due to rising prices.

Spain Advisory Council launches successful US initiative in the UK

Published: 18 July, 2023

The Spain Advisory Council, a brand-new initiative from Foods & Wines from Spain in the UK, has launched with the aim of opening up greater avenues of communication and engagement with one of Spain’s key export markets.

Virgin recovers from end of year blip

Published: 17 July, 2023

Virgin Wines, one of the UK’s largest direct-to-consumer online wine retailers, has reported an end of year performance “in line with expectations”, following a “disappointing” downturn resulting from short term challenges at the end of 2022.

Gruppo Montenegro joins Proof Drinks

Published: 17 July, 2023

Gruppo Montenegro has announced a new partnership with Proof Drinks for the distribution of its portfolio in the UK.

Large operator profit doubles, though challenges remain

Published: 17 July, 2023

The percentage of the UK’s largest restaurant companies turning a profit has doubled in the last year, according to new figures. However, further interest rate rises now hover over the horizon. As a result, hospitality’s biggest operators could be facing new challenges on their return journey to profitability.

Spirits of Virtue relaunch targets UK thirst for quality low & no

Published: 17 July, 2023

Scottish zero-alcohol producer Spirits of Virtue has completed a ‘redevelopment and relaunch’ project with the aim of boosting the reach of its recently expanded portfolio.

Nick Gillett: How independent brands can influence customer behaviour

Published: 17 July, 2023

Influencing consumers is something that all spirits brands try to do but it’s harder than you think.

The Wine Society trials recycled plastic bottles

Published: 14 July, 2023

Following the publication of its Alternative Packaging for Wine report in May, The Wine Society has embarked on the second phase of its packaging trial. This week, four of The Society’s most popular wines, including its top-selling wine, The Society’s White Burgundy, will be released in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles.