News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Stock Spirits hails turnaround and appoints permanent CEO

Published: 11 August, 2016

European spirits distiller Stocks Spirits has posted positive half-yearly results and appointed a new CEO after a "difficult" 2015.

Drink sales return in July following earlier Brexit drop-off

Published: 11 August, 2016

According to new figures released this week from the British Retail Consortium, UK retail sales have increased despite the fear that Brexit had consumers cutting back.

"Wine superstore" launched on eBay

Published: 10 August, 2016

A one-stop shop wine store has been launched on eBay with the goal of rivalling Amazon's recent foray into the online wine marketplace.

Employee dies following blaze at Studio 338

Published: 10 August, 2016

Tragedy has struck a nightclub in south London after fire broke out on Monday afternoon - claiming the life of an employee.

Morrisons extends deal with Ocado, expanding delivery nationwide

Published: 10 August, 2016

Yesterday Morrisons announced it struck a new deal with online delivery service Ocado, expanding its current services nationwide.

WSTA to support British Distillers Alliance through Brexit

Published: 10 August, 2016

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has pledged to advise, support and protect smaller producers through the current period of economic and political uncertainty.

Think Indie Drink Indie: Selling independence

Published: 10 August, 2016

At last month's Think Indie Drink Indie event, attendees listened as a panel of leading merchants and 'outside' experts discussed how merchants can best leverage the powerful USP of being independent in an increasingly consolidated world.

Gin to star in its first full-length feature film

Published: 09 August, 2016

Gin has become the runaway star of the spirits industry in recent times - and it now starring in its own movie.

The Wine Show's Joe Fattorini to run Médoc Marathon raising £5K for The Benevolent

Published: 09 August, 2016

ITV's 'The Wine Show' presenter Joe Fattorini is set to run the Médoc Marathon and aims to raise £5,000 for drinks charity The Benevolent.

Diageo dropping the "Guinness" from name of its US beer business

Published: 09 August, 2016

Diageo is changing the name of its beer business in the US from Diageo-Guinness USA to Diageo Beer Co. USA to broaden its appeal.

CAMRA calls on government to rethink drinking advice

Published: 09 August, 2016

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is calling for the Department of Health to launch a new public consultation into whether alcohol guidelines are fit for purpose and evidenced based.

Thirst for craft beer on the rise at Matthew Clark's boutique beer fest

Published: 08 August, 2016

Matthew Clark reported a bumper number of visitors to its Boutique Beers Festival held at British Summertime Hyde Park this summer - up 20% on last year.

Brexit could put "dangerous" pressure on companies to cut corners

Published: 08 August, 2016

Brexit could lead to 'hazy' grape traceability and dangerous practices thanks to a squeezed industry post brexit.

Nearly 90% of UK wine drinkers considering themselves 'wine buffs'

Published: 08 August, 2016

According to a recent survey of 1,586 Brits, conducted by UK research and consulting firm Ginger Research, 88% of respondents said they considered themselves a wine buff or a wine lover.

New HMRC spirit production guidelines drafted to help improve business licensing

Published: 08 August, 2016

New guidelines are being drafted by the HMRC to help distillers looking to apply to become a licensed spirit producers in the UK easier.

DrinkSupermarket teams up with Debenhams for gifting service

Published: 08 August, 2016

Online retailer DrinkSupermarket will be supplying beers, wines and spirits to a leading UK department store as part of a premium gifting service.

WineTutor TV reaches 90% of the world's MW students

Published: 08 August, 2016

An innovative video learning platform for MW hopefuls has reached a global audience since being launched by Tim Wildman MW.

Proposal seeks to replace "outdated" Rioja classifications

Published: 05 August, 2016

A Spanish winery is lobbying to change guidelines to make it easier for premium and super premium wineries to differentiate themselves from others in the "Rioja brand".