News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Vins de Bordeaux gears up for spring with trade tasting series

Published: 30 April, 2018

Vins de Bordeaux has revealed it is launching a series of educational tastings especially created for wine trade professionals.

Sainsbury’s and Asda confirm £12bn merger and hint at 10% price cuts

Published: 30 April, 2018

Sainsbury’s and Asda have confirmed they are to merge creating a supermarket powerhouse with combined revenues of £51 billion, overtaking Tesco as the number one player in the sector.

Barefoot adapts Pinot Grigio flagship to match pink and fizz trends

Published: 27 April, 2018

E&J Gallo’s carefree California wine brand Barefoot Wine is fastest growing top five wine brand in the UK according to Nielsen. Harpers caught up with head winemaker Jen Wall to discuss 20 years of making affordable, fruit forward wines that people want to drink.

The week that was

Published: 27 April, 2018

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Provence 2017 wine production slumps 12% as quality rises

Published: 27 April, 2018

Wine output from Provence slumped by 12% or 21 million bottles in 2017 following harsh late frosts, according to the region’s winemakers.

Industry asked: how much drink is too much?

Published: 27 April, 2018

How much is too much? Are new rules needed to stop drinks brands implying their products can improve mood? Does the industry still use sexist imagery to advertise drinks?

English vine plantings to rise by up to 70% this year

Published: 27 April, 2018

Sales of English wine jumped by almost a third (31%) between 2015 and last year, according to a new survey of the country’s winemakers.

Rioja 2017 vintage scarce but ‘very good’

Published: 27 April, 2018

The Rioja 2017 vintage has been awarded an official ‘very good’ rating by the Rioja Control Board.

Taxi! Loire Valley Wines splashes out on black cab branding

Published: 26 April, 2018

The trade body that represents winemakers from the Loire Valley is gearing up for a marketing offensive in London in May.

Bloom & Wild begins posting ‘letterbox wine’

Published: 26 April, 2018

The company behind a plastic letterbox wine bottle that allows wine to be posted through drinkers’ doors has launched a partnership with a leading online florist.

Wine-Searcher CEO quits claiming ‘I never wanted the job’

Published: 26 April, 2018

The founder of online drinks database Wine-Searcher has stepped down as boss of the business claiming: “I never really wanted to be CEO in the first place.”

Trade predicts En Primeur price drop while academic study estimates rise

Published: 26 April, 2018

There is little consensus about En Primeur prices this year with the wine trade predicting a drop while the latest academic study expects a price rise.

Berry Bros & Rudd opens first pop-up wine bar

Published: 26 April, 2018

Berry Bros & Rudd is to open its first ever pop-up wine bar for London Wine Week (LWW).

Europe leads private label premiumisation

Published: 25 April, 2018

The quality of private label wines are on the up – and Europe is leading the pack.

Castelnau launches second Hors Catégorie cuvée as it looks to double sales

Published: 25 April, 2018

Champagne Castelnau last night launched Hors Catégorie cuvée - the second prestige cuvée to be released as part of the premium collection.

WSET reveals new and enhanced qualifications

Published: 25 April, 2018

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has improved its educational programme with a new spirits qualification in addition to enhancing two of its existing courses.

Digby’s cool climate fizz makes first foray into Scotland

Published: 24 April, 2018

Digby Fine English has made its first foray into Scotland via an exclusive distribution deal with Alexander Wines.

Dedicated Old World red wine subscription business launches

Published: 24 April, 2018

An online subscription wine club has been launched with a sole focus on Old World red wines.

WSTA signs deal to promote trade relations with China

Published: 24 April, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is to sign an agreement with Chinese distiller Kweichow Moutai Co to increase trade relations between the two countries.