News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Oakley Wine Agencies strengthens its Spanish range

Published: 22 September, 2023

Oakley Wine Agencies (OWA), has added five new Spanish wineries to its portfolio, further solidifying the business as specialists in Iberian wine.

Friday read: Argentina ban adds economic tension for winemakers

Published: 22 September, 2023

Argentina can add a ban on invoices for overseas services to their woes as a number of top estates have been forced to pull out of marketing and advertising commitments abroad. It is another blow to the industry, as winemakers are forced grapple with yet more economic volatility and a situation which is increasingly creating an uneven competitive playing field in global export markets.

Berry Bros. & Rudd: We need to talk about Gringet

Published: 21 September, 2023

There are only 22ha of the Gringet grape variety left in the world, and 9.5 of them were owned by Dominique Belluard, the late Savoie producer. Before his death in 2020, Belluard developed the rare Gringet grape from something producers would just chuck into blends, to bonafide, standalone, single-varietal wines.

Wine Society outlines bold new sustainable initiatives

Published: 21 September, 2023

The Wine Society is to further its sustainable credentials with both a producer-focused insetting fund and a drive to 100% lighter weight glass across its portfolio.

Hospitality leaders hold on to optimism as inflation slows

Published: 20 September, 2023

Confidence is rising slightly among hospitality owners, new data suggest, despite inflation slowing at a ‘glacial’ pace and economic pressures in the offing, which could potentially leave the sector with a ‘billion-pound bill’.

Naked Wines announces £15m loss after delaying results

Published: 20 September, 2023

Yesterday (19 September), online wine retailer Naked Wines announced a £15m loss in the year to 3 April.

Friarwood launches first range of spirits

Published: 19 September, 2023

Independent fine wine merchant Friarwood has expanded its range to include spirits with the addition of four exclusive brands – Tromba Tequila, Per Se Aperitivo, Sash & Fritz Vodka and Ron Carúpano.

Hallgarten prioritises style over region

Published: 19 September, 2023

On Monday (18 September), specialist supplier Hallgarten & Novum presented 130 wines across its award-winning portfolio, including 50 new additions, at its autumn trade tasting.

Rhône puts its best foot forward at Yapp

Published: 19 September, 2023

Quality on-trade focused supplier Yapp Brothers showed why the Rhône Valley continues to be one of the best-value regions of France, with a presentation in London yesterday (18 September), which spanned every day drinking wines to those from top estates.

Master of Malt partners with Sainsbury's

Published: 18 September, 2023

One of the UK’s leading craft spirits retailers, Master of Malt, has announced a partnership with 52 selected Sainsbury’s stores across the UK.

Spain needs greater penetration of secondary market to raise profile

Published: 18 September, 2023

To lift the perception of Spain’s more premium and off-beat offerings, the country’s top wines need to be more visible on the high-end buying circuit.

Diageo launches special releases 2023 collection

Published: 18 September, 2023

Diageo, a global leader in premium drinks, has today unveiled its Spirited Xchange Special Releases Scotch Whisky collection

Amathus announces plans for two new stores

Published: 18 September, 2023

Top merchant Amathus Drinks, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this month, has revealed plans to open two new stores at the start of 2024, expanding its brick-and-mortar offering to 11.

Nick Gillett: The sexist spirits sector – why we need to do better

Published: 18 September, 2023

Those of you who saw the recent Our Whisky Foundation survey results highlighting inequality in the whisky industry, will understand me when I say: I was not only shocked, but also ashamed. I suddenly felt very naïve, having previously believed that the spirits industry had made progress in terms of equality and equity, but the findings delivered by the research suggest otherwise.

Friday Read: Trebbiano strikes back

Published: 15 September, 2023

Trebbiano. The word sends a shiver down the spine of any self-respecting wine geek – this ubiquitous white grape is about as popular as typhus in snob circles. A sommelier acquaintance of mine (who wishes to remain anonymous) once described Trebbiano Toscano, to use its full moniker, as “Italy's viticultural embarrassment” and other unrepeatable epithets. But are they being a little harsh?

Sign up now for Wines from Spain inaugural summit

Published: 15 September, 2023

There is still time to register for the Spain Food Nation Summit 2023, where Harpers will be chairing a brand-new event in central London to showcase the quality of Spain’s food and vinous offer.

Chile ramps up focus on innovation at London tasting

Published: 15 September, 2023

First time visitors to this year’s Wines of Chile annual tasting in London could be forgiven for thinking that this is a country in a permanent state of evolution, often operating at the fringes of established viticulture to drive a rolling agenda of innovation.

Naked Wines press tasting: 'The next big thing is Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone'

Published: 15 September, 2023

From start-up to grown-up, Naked Wines’ press tasting in central London boasted a growing range of French classics to complement its portfolio of independent winemakers from across the world.

LWC and Hills Prospect aim for ‘best-in-class’ partnership

Published: 15 September, 2023

LWC Drinks and Hills Prospect, both regulars on Harpers 50 Best Wholesalers list, have described how their new partnership will strengthen their overall customer proposition and leverage their individual skills, as LWC looks to increase its foothold in the crucial area of London and the South East.

73 venues listed in the Green Pub Guide

Published: 14 September, 2023

The Green Pub Guide, in association with Heineken, has returned for a second year and features 73 British pubs, bars and restaurants that have taken steps to reduce their environmental impact.