News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

"Hammer blow" to on-trade from Covid-19, report predicts

Published: 03 June, 2020

Drinking occasions have "been dealt a hammer blow” a new report into the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on consumer markets has concluded.

Hilary Gibbs passes away

Published: 02 June, 2020

Hilary Gibbs, founder and owner of Domaine Direct, has died.

Torres hits emissions target early

Published: 02 June, 2020

Catalonia-based wine producer Familia Torres has hit its target of reducing carbon emissions by 30%, when measured against levels in 2008, a year early.

Social distancing research fuels on-trade debate

Published: 02 June, 2020

New research into the effectiveness of social distancing measures has renewed debate in the on-trade about the challenges of re-opening for business.

Sturges steps down from Jeroboams

Published: 02 June, 2020

London wine merchant Jeroboams is to have a new chief executive, with encumbent Hugh Sturges leaving the role at the end of June.

British vineyards hit by Covid crisis

Published: 02 June, 2020

The Covid-19 outbreak is causing serious damage to the UK’s wine industry, according to a survey of its members commissioned by Wines of Great Britain.

Halliday to auction iconic DRC collection

Published: 01 June, 2020

Legendary Australian wine critic James Halliday is to auction 250 bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from his private cellar.

Fuller's launches income streaming service for staff

Published: 01 June, 2020

Pub and hotel business Fuller’s has partnered with income-streaming provider Wagestream to give its staff access to their wages - or their furlough pay - ahead of pay day.

Drinks Trust wellness services now live

Published: 01 June, 2020

The new range of mental health support services for members of the trade from the Drinks Trust have now been launched.

New senior appointments at Santa Rita

Published: 01 June, 2020

Leading Chilean and Argentinian wine producer Santa Rita Estates has reshuffled its senior management team.

Industry gives cautious welcome to furlough scheme changes

Published: 01 June, 2020

The UK drinks trade has welcomed the extension of the government’s furlough scheme for UK workers during the corovirus crisis – but with concerns for the future.

Friday Read: What’s going to drive us to drink after the pandemic?

Published: 29 May, 2020

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, looks at the impact that the lockdown will have on our future drinks choices

Indie merchants look to nurture new trade ahead of economic slump

Published: 29 May, 2020

With lockdown easing and non-essential shops beginning to reopen from 15 June, the independent merchant sector is increasingly planning ways of achieving some semblance of ‘normal’ store opening, while balancing health considerations with marked changes in trading conditions.

Chinese market remains bullish despite suffering Australian exports

Published: 29 May, 2020

China’s relationship with wine during coronavirus had changed for the better, according to Wine Intelligence, allaying fears that lockdown had had a negative affect on the wine category.

Amathus Drinks invites consumers to Taste Together online

Published: 29 May, 2020

Wine and Spirit importer, distributor and retailer Amathus Drinks is forging head with a range of interactive online tastings to help customers explore far flung corners of the wine world.

Global appetite for Great British Braai Off

Published: 29 May, 2020

The Great British Braai Off over the UK May Bank Holiday (23 to 25 May) is to become an annual event after what founder Nik Darlington described as a “hugely successful” first event.

Flint buys buys Domaine Direct

Published: 29 May, 2020

Fine wine importer Flint Wines has completed the purchase of Burgundy specialist Domaine Direct.

‘Wine online’ searches up by over 1000%

Published: 28 May, 2020

‘Order wine online’ has become the newest buzz word for housebound UK consumers looking to get their fix during lockdown.

Liv-Ex unveils plans for coverage of ‘unusual’ Bordeaux EP campaign

Published: 28 May, 2020

With the Bordeaux 2019 En Primeur campaign beginning to unfold in an “unusual manner” with virtual tastings and postponed releases, Liv-Ex has begun to roll out adapted coverage with the publication of its opening report, Bordeaux 2019: the value of time.

All-star panel talks how to deal with pandemic in restaurant environment

Published: 28 May, 2020

Building trust around social distancing rules will be the major challenge for restaurants looking to relaunch their businesses after lockdown eases, a leading on-trade panel has agreed.