Berry Bros & Rudd sees sales rise

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) has seen sales rise by £16M, for the year ending 31 March 2018.

Gin sales smash records

Brits bought almost 60M bottles of gin in 12 months – worth over £1.6bn and up 38% on last year, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has revealed.

Holiday season boosts eating-out market

La Compagnie de La Burgondie secures first major UK off-trade listing

La Compagnie de La Burgondie has secured its first major UK off-trade deal.

Johnny Walker Blue Label voted the top luxury alcohol brand globally

Johnny Walker Blue Label was voted the top luxury brand globally, followed by Louis XIII and Richard Hennessy, in the Kadence International Luxury Study.

Prosecco continues to lead sparkling wine category

Sparkling wine continues to grow with Prosecco leading the category and English fizz remaining on the rise, according to The Wine Intelligence Sparkling Wine in the UK Market 2018 Report.

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective launch lays down gauntlet to UK and US buyers

Be prepared to pay more or risk losing top Stellenbosch Cabernets to the Asian market was one of the messages to UK and US buyers at the launch of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective at Cape Wine 2018.

Duck Pond sells out

Iconic wine estate Duck Pond Cellars has been sold to a corporate investor.

IMW appoints Adrian Garforth MW chairman

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has appointed Adrian Garforth MW as its new chairman.

Cape Wine 2018 calls to address challenge of profitability with investment in training and people

Sustainability in both economic and human terms was outlined as the key challenge facing Cape winemakers at the opening conference of Cape Wine 2018.

Vinoteca Soho forced out by licencing difficulties

Vintoeca has called time on its Soho venue after pressure from the local authority meant either changing its business model or closing its doors.

SITT set for Leeds launch as it gears up for Autumn tastings

Specialist Importers Trade Tastings (SITT) is gearing up for its popular Autumn tastings including its first event in Leeds.

CyT hopes to steal share from other alcohol categories with NPD

Concha y Toro (CyT) has launched the first in a line of NPD developed to attract consumers currently shopping within spirits, premium ciders and beers to the wine category.

Vignerons de Tutiac and the Vignerons d’Uni-Médoc join forces in strategic alliance

Vignerons de Tutiac and the Vignerons d’Uni-Médoc have joined forces to form a ‘strategic Bordeaux union’.

Wines of Germany reveals 31 Days of German Riesling winners

Wines of Germany has announced the winners of this year’s 31 Days of Riesling campaign.

Rioja 10x10 to make a triumphant return

Harpers is once again partnering with Rioja 10x10, bringing yet great opportunity to discover of Rioja’s top wines and key trends.

SWA calls on government to continue duty freeze

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has called on the UK government to support the industry at home through a continued duty freeze in the Autumn Budget.

Copestick Murray adds first Champagne to I Heart portfolio

Copestick Murray, owned by German group Henkell which recently purchased Freixenet to form the world’s largest sparkling wine supplier, has added the first Champagne to its I Heart range to replicate the success of the brand’s Prosecco.

Les Caves de Pyrene lists long lost Manseng Noir grape variety

Les Caves de Pyrene has listed long lost grape variety Manseng Noir originally discovered on a 150-year-old plot in Viella, AOC Madiran.