News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

WSTA urges government to end duty escalator

Published: 05 February, 2013

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association is to meet with economic secretary to the Treasury in a bid to make a case for an end to the alcohol duty escalator.

Liberty Wines lists its first Tasmanian producer

Published: 05 February, 2013

Liberty Wines has been appointed as the exclusive agent in the UK and Ireland for Dawson & James from Southern Tasmania.

Hallgarten Druitt strengthens senior management team for growth

Published: 05 February, 2013

Hallgarten Druitt has poached two new senior members for its management team from major competitors as part of its continued strategy to improve and deepen its level of service across the on and off-trades.

ACS chief slams Sir Terry Leahy's high street claims

Published: 05 February, 2013

Former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy's comments on this weeks' BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs that some high streets are "medieval" has brought a strong reaction from the small retail groups.

John Shearlock reports from the Pinot Noir NZ 2013 conference

Published: 05 February, 2013

John Shearlock from the Drinking Well heads to New Zealand to uncover the world-class Pinots on show at the Pinot Noir NZ 2013 conference.

Home Office criticised for leaving minimum pricing questions unanswered

Published: 04 February, 2013

The Wilson Drinks Report has criticised the Home Office for leaving a number of qustions unanswered prior to the consultation relating to the practicalities of implementing minimum unit pricing.

Name change for Grupo Codorníu

Published: 04 February, 2013

Grupo Codorníu has changed its name to Bodegas y Viñedos Codorníu Raventós as it looks to draw attention to its broad portfolio of products and heritage.

Douglas Blyde on a taste of Croatia at Cuthbert Pub & Kitchen, Brighton

Published: 04 February, 2013

Pacta Connect's Trevor Long and Judith Burns, enthusiastic importers of quality Croatian wines from Umag to Pula and also Slavonia and Dalmatia, invited Harper's to taste a tailored menu of British food and Croatian wines at The Cuthbert, Brighton. An Enterprise Inn with appealingly quirky decor by landlady, Susanna Searle, which evokes a 50s street party, was reopened after a year's closure by a young trio. This also includes Searle's partner, Robin Koehorst, an Anglo-Dutchman and late starter to professional cooking from age 28 (now 35) and Dave Mothersill.

Sales up as PLB sets sight on indies and on-trade

Published: 04 February, 2013

Wine importer PLB Group has reported a double-digit rise in sales after increasing its distribution and selling a greater range of products to existing customers.

Fiona Sims heads to Istanbul for the Dom Pérignon 2002 launch

Published: 04 February, 2013

I am led in silence to a white curtained tasting booth. On the Philippe Starck-designed table is a Riedel glass of rosé Champagne. There is also a spittoon - though I don't hear any spitting coming from the other nine occupied booths, just the odd sigh. And there is a view of the Bosphorus, glittering in the sunlight through the former sultan's palace window. Welcome to the launch of the Dom Pérignon's rosé vintage 2002 in Istanbul.

Bibendum adds "iconic" Penfolds label to portfolio

Published: 01 February, 2013

Bibendum Wines has been appointed distributor for Treasury Wine Estate's Penfolds label.

Berry Bros to supply Jamie Oliver's Union Jacks

Published: 01 February, 2013

London-based independent wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd has announced it is to supply wine to Jamie Oliver's new restaurant concept, Union Jacks in Holborn, Covent Garden, Chiswick and Winchester.

Lebanese wine exports reach new high

Published: 01 February, 2013

Exports of Lebanese wine to the UK leapt by 33% to $4.3 million (£2.7 million) last year according to new figures released by Lebanese Customs.

Retailers raise a glass to Comic Relief

Published: 01 February, 2013

From today online retailers, supermarkets and off - licences will donate a proportion of their sales to help disadvantaged people in the UK and Africa as part of Wine Relief 2013.

Australian Vintage to build on its branded wine offer in UK

Published: 01 February, 2013

Australian Vintage is teaming up with MasterChef's John Torode as it looks to strengthen its position in the UK branded wine market, both through its core McGuigan portfolio and new product launches.

Price gap between own-label and branded wines to narrow

Published: 01 February, 2013

Soaring supply prices could be good news for branded wines as the price gap is set to reduce between own labels and big brands, according to Rabobank.

Northern Restaurant & Bar Top 50 - call for entries

Published: 01 February, 2013

The Northern Restaurant & Bar show is calling for entries for its second annual NRB Top 50 awards, which recognises and honours 50 individuals from influential hospitality operators based in the north of England.

Video: John Torode and Neil McGuigan on their food and wine matching double act

Published: 31 January, 2013

Why have celebrity chef and co-host of BBC's MasterChef, John Torode, and Australian Vintage winemaker, Neil McGuigan become a food and wine matching double act?

Jenny Mackenzie on the Neil McGuigan and John Torode food and wine matching link-up

Published: 31 January, 2013

The Neil McGuigan and John Torode Recipe Collection, which was launched earlier this week in London, promises to be an "innovative, interactive" wine and food matching concept with the aim of "approachability, affordability and accessibility".