News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Distell appoints new GM for duty-free Europe

Published: 12 November, 2013

Markus Habermann has been appointed general manager for Distell's European duty-free business

Burgundy 2012 en primeur kicks off with some allocations already "exhausted"

Published: 11 November, 2013

The severly reduced Burgundy harvest for 2012 is resulting in producers holding en primeur tastings this month with "Allocation Exhausted" labels over some bottles.

Michelin star chef Michel Roux is face of Everyday Bordeaux consumer campaign

Published: 11 November, 2013

Michelin star chef Michel Roux of Le Gavroche fame has teamed up with the 2013 Everyday Bordeaux collection of wines, to promote those wines considered by a panel of judges from the Association of Wine Educators to offer some of the best value Bordeaux currently available in the UK.

Wine drinkers stick to what they know, says Asda

Published: 11 November, 2013

Almost half of UK wine consumers buy the same wine every time they shop, according to a survey carried out by Asda.

Oddbins kicks off playful Christmas campaign

Published: 11 November, 2013

High street retailer Oddbins' playful festive campaign features a takeover of its Twitter account by 'Mother Christmas' giving away free Champagne and in-store magic shows.

Foodie phenomenon spreads to London wine drinkers

Published: 11 November, 2013

Organisers of a new wine event for Londoners are hoping they can follow in the footsteps of the foodie revolution and make wine more accessible.

Hangingditch in Manchester to hold sixth annual wine fair

Published: 11 November, 2013

Independent wine merchant, Hangingditch, is set to host its sixth annual wine fair in Manchester this Friday, November 19, from 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Manchester Cathedral, with live music, food and over 175 wines and spirits to taste.

Pernod Ricard launches UK online store

Published: 11 November, 2013

Pernod Ricard has launched its first online drinks store for the UK market called Sipstor, where consumers can purchase exclusive products from brands such as Absolut, Beefeater, Chivas and Jameson.

Specialist Champagne restaurant set to open in City of London

Published: 11 November, 2013

A new restaurant which claims to have one of the largest selections of Champagne and sparkling wine by the glass in London is set to open in the City at the end of November.

London Cru opens for tours and supper clubs

Published: 08 November, 2013

Central London's first urban winery is officially open for tours starting this Saturday, 9 November, where it will host tours for the public along with other opportunities throughout the month, like becoming a winemaker for a day or dining in the barrel room with a series of supper clubs the winery will be hosting.

Seifried Estate's Old Coach Road range gets rebranded

Published: 08 November, 2013

Fells distributed, Nelson-based winery Seifried Estate, has revamped its Old Coach Road range in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Nightclub owners opening new venture called Mason House

Published: 08 November, 2013

Marc Merran, Eamonn Mulholland and Jean Philippe Kley, the team behind other nightclub ventures in London including Beat, Mo*Vida, Chinawhite, Aura and Fifity, are set to open a new venture, Mason House, on Argyll Street at the end of Novemeber, built in the vaults of the London Palladium.

Normacorc wins innovation award

Published: 08 November, 2013

Alternative wine closure producer Nomacorc, has won the Innovation Challenge's New Technology Award for its Select Bio Series, which is the world's first zero carbon footprint wine closure.

Swiss drinkers lead the way in lower-alcohol wines

Published: 07 November, 2013

Lower-alcohol wines have been identified as a key way of kick starting the Swiss wine market in a boost to a category that has yet to fully take off in the UK.

Treasury Wine Estates faces lawsuit

Published: 07 November, 2013

The hangover continues for Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) following its AUD $160 million write down earlier in the year; TWE now faces a lawsuit by Melbourne City Investments and second potential class action lawsuit funded by IMF Ltd and Maurice Blackburn lawyers who, to date, have only publicised their potential intent to undertake a shareholder class-action case against TWE but who have not, at this stage, commenced any legal proceedings.

Disgraced Bordeaux UK chief banned as director for nine years

Published: 06 November, 2013

Ian Vanderhook of Bordeaux UK has been banned as a director for nine years after his company collapsed with debts of more than £10m.

Global wine production is shifting away from Europe says Cobevco's Justin Knock MW

Published: 06 November, 2013

The 2013 global wine harvest is further confirmation that Europe is losing ground on its dominant position as the largest wine growing continent in the world.

Wine brands with no back story will struggle warns Ste Michelle's Ted Baseler ahead of Wine Vision

Published: 05 November, 2013

New wine launches that offer no back story other than what varietal or blend they are are not going to connect with modern wine consumers, warns Ted Baseler, president and chief executive of US winery, Ste Michelle Wine Estates, speaking ahead of this month's Wine Vision conference in London.

British economic growth to gain momentum through to 2015 predicts the CBI

Published: 05 November, 2013

A further sign that the economy is recovering is given today by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) which has raised its economic growth forecasts for both 2013 and 2014 and is forecasting growth to gather even greater momentum into 2015.

Why creating "magic" in-store is key to our success says Waitrose chief

Published: 05 November, 2013

Doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing and creating magic when customers enter stores are key tactics being used to drive sales across Waitrose, according to managing director Mark Price.