Davy’s adds ‘boutique’ Phelps Creek Vineyards to portfolio

Davy's continues to grow its portfolio of small family-owned producers, with the addition of Phelps Creek Vineyards. 

Majestic announces new rosé listing

The UK’s number one wine retailer, Majestic, has won the race to supply Roseblood rosé by Chateau d’Estoublon to the British off-trade.

The Wine Society revamps its private label range

The Wine Society's much-loved portfolio of Society wines is being given a makeover, focusing on both aesthetics and the sustainability of the range.

Indies: Hybrid thinking

Once billed as bricks-and-mortar retail’s salvation, an on-trade element has become a trickier proposition. James Lawrence reports.

Majestic unveils new store concept in Harpenden

Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has revealed a new small store concept in Harpenden as it trials new ways of expanding its bricks-and-mortar presence.

Russian founder of Hedonism Wines raises £4.5 Million for Ukraine

London-based Russian entrepreneur, Evgeny Chichvarkin, has financed more than £4.5 million worth of medical purchases for the Ukrainian people subjected to Vladimir Putin’s illegal war. 

Justerini & Brooks plug Verdicchio hole at Spring/Summer tasting

This week, the fine wine and whisky merchants Justerini & Brooks welcomed the trade to its Spring/Summer portfolio tasting at Quo Vadis on Dean Street, Soho. 

Majestic appoints second Master of Wine

Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has announced the appointment of Jane Masters MW to its buying team.

Majestic announces second-biggest Christmas trading results

Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has announced its second-biggest Christmas trading performance in history.

Jeroboams announces two new appointments

The Jeroboams Group has announced the appointment of two new positions within the business.

The Oxford Wine Company marks 30 years with portfolio tasting

Billed as the '30th Anniversary Tasting’, The Oxford Wine Company (OWC) will host its largest-ever portfolio tasting next month featuring 18 wineries, some of which have been on OWC's books for three decades. 

40% of Jascots producer partners are certified organic

In a recent supplier survey carried out by Jascots Wine Merchants, 40% of their producer partners confirmed they are certified organic, up from 25% last year. A further 16% are in conversion, with more saying they would consider it in the future. 

Looking ahead: Matt Tipping, Jeroboams

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities. 

Tech & Innovation: Detecting fine wine forgeries

According to a 2021 report from Business Insider, fake wine accounts for 20% of wine sold worldwide. If this is true, and many credible sources seem to agree, then the chances are you have drunk from a bottle containing fraudulent wine. The report referred to numerous cases of wine crime in recent history, including the seizure of 4,000 bottles of the counterfeit ‘super-Tuscan’ Bolgheri Sassicaia, which fetches up to £320 a bottle. 

Looking ahead: Katy Keating, Lay & Wheeler

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities.

Personality and value from winning indie wholesaler Lea & Sandeman

In last month’s edition of Harpers, we unveiled our annual Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers. In 10th place on that list was Lea & Sandeman, the independent wine merchant with a penchant for grower-led, artisanal wines from around the world.

Justerini & Brooks in South African Expansion

Harpers Exclusive: The Wines Direct Consumer Award winners 2022

Now in its fourth year, Harpers can exclusively reveal the 2022 Wine Direct Awards results.

The weighty burden of alcohol’s rising costs

When chancellor Rishi Sunak announced his proposed changes to alcohol duty in the October Budget, he described them as the “most radical simplification of alcohol duties for over 140 years”. Under the present system, there are three duty rates on wine – one for still wine, a slightly higher one for sparkling wine and an even higher one for fortified wine.

Fine wine leads the way for Jascots

Jascots Fine Wine Sector is going from strength to strength following the development of a specialist department in December 2021. Fine wine contributed 8% of total sales value in Q1 2022, up 5% in Q4 2021.