News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Harpers 50 Best Indies 2021 – nominations invited

Published: 23 April, 2021

We are once again launching our annual 50 Best Indies Awards, to acknowledge the best in the business of indie drinks retailing.

Mark McClintock crowned as GB Bartender of the Year

Published: 22 April, 2021

Diageo World Class Competition 2021 has awarded London-based Mark McClintock the title of GB Bartender of the Year.

Frost hits between 30% and 50% of Bordeaux

Published: 22 April, 2021

Bordeaux has had variable impact from early April’s devastating frosts, Harpers has learned, with estimates sitting at around 30% to 50% of vines affected, while some estates have “lost everything”.

Nearly half of consumers in England flock to hospitality venues

Published: 22 April, 2021

Nearly of half (44%) of adults in England have visited pubs, bars and restaurants since they re-opened for outdoor service on the 12 April, beating last year’s rate of return to hospitality following the easing of restrictions after the first lockdown.

Bringing it All Together at SME business advice summit

Published: 22 April, 2021

Many SMEs have had it particularly tough during the pandemic, with small and medium-sized businesses less likely than their larger rivals to have access to the resources to help guide them through.

Fine Wine Partners rebrands to Accolade Fine Wines

Published: 22 April, 2021

Accolade Wines ' fine wines division has been re-named Accolade Fine Wines by the company in order to facilitate a “customer-centric offering” which will move away from focusing on brands only within Australia.

Harpers upcoming webinar: The Diversity of Argentina

Published: 22 April, 2021

How up to speed are you with Argentina’s ever evolving vinous diversity?

In tribute to Litmus Wines’ Mike Florence

Published: 21 April, 2021

Friends, family and colleagues have paid tribute today to Mike Florence of Litmus Wines, who has sadly passed away following a long battle with Myeloma.

Paragon projects three-fold revenue increase following ‘substantial investment’

Published: 21 April, 2021

Paragon Brands has upped its projections for revenue and profit to “a target of £15m” within three years following a major investment by Maison Villevert.

Domaine Jones launches Adopt an Old Vine scheme

Published: 21 April, 2021

Ex-pat Languedoc-Roussillon based winemaker Katie Jones is launching an ‘Adopt an Old Vine’ scheme, which will offer customers and followers the chance to become ‘vine parents’ to an old vine at Domaine Jones.

Pent up demand delivers bigger post-lockdown bounce than 2020

Published: 21 April, 2021

Pubs, bars and restaurants able to operate outdoor space have seen a significant wave of customers returning, according to new data from CGA.

Vineyard area edges back to Europe as Spain and France rise and China's growth slows

Published: 21 April, 2021

Vineyard surface area saw some subtle yet far reaching shifts in 2020, with China falling into third place behind Spain and France as EU plantings stabilise and China's plantings slow.

EU appellations to be granted rights for dealcoholised wine production

Published: 21 April, 2021

Within the framework of the EU’s next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform due on 1 January 2023, geographical indications and protected denominations of origin will be allowed to produce lower-alcohol wines below 8.5% abv.

International Sherry Week and Copa Jerez align for autumn celebration

Published: 20 April, 2021

International Sherry Week will this year coincide with the biannual food and wine focused Copa Jerez competition during November.

Lay & Wheeler charity label to support Drinks Trust Relief Fund

Published: 20 April, 2021

Lay & Wheeler has announced the winner of its label design competition for a special late release of 2015 Sirène de Château Giscours, with 100% proceeds from sales going to The Drinks Trust’s Covid-19 Relief Fund.

Rioja plays a starring role in Cune’s first UK campaign

Published: 20 April, 2021

Hatch Mansfield has announced the launch of its first UK marketing campaign for Spanish label Cune, which will hone in on the brand’s Spanish heritage while promoting their range of Riojas.

Frost signals “significantly smaller” vintage for New Zealand harvest

Published: 20 April, 2021

Cooler spring weather and late frosts have led to a “significantly smaller vintage” for 2021, New Zealand Winegrowers has said, applying pressure at a time when the industry is facing increased production costs.

Over 40 black & ethnic minority students apply for Golden Vines scholarships

Published: 20 April, 2021

A total of 42 wine students from 23 different nationalities applied for the for the Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships programme, including students originating from Colombia, French Polynesia, Georgia, Iran, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Zimbabwe.

Historic Inglenook winery renews ties with New Generation Wines

Published: 20 April, 2021

Rutherford’s Inglenook winery has renewed its partnership with UK importer and distributor New Generation Wines as it aims to grow its international appeal.

Pledge of €1bn made to mitigate France’s frost “disaster”

Published: 19 April, 2021

The French government has pledged €1 billion in financial aid for farmers and winemakers whose crops have been devasted by this month’s cold snap which has led to the estimated loss of a third of the country’s wine production.