The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

New SmartCork offers hi-tech closure for natural cork fans

SmartCork is billing itself as a "game-changer" in the wine closures market as it claims to combine the advantages of natural cork with a hi-tech membrane which prevents spoiling.

Personalisation is key to engaging with consumers online

A reoccurring theme at London Wine Fair 2014 has been the growing importance of creating personalised content online to engage with consumers.

Top beer sommelier says craft beer revolution becoming more mainstream

Craft beer is being taken more seriously in the UK - evidenced by its growing prominence in circles formerly restricted solely to wine, says one of the country's top beer sommeliers.

London Wine Fair June 4: What is happening

Here we pick out some of the key goings on at today's London Wine Fair at Olympia including a run down of key debates, seminars and masterclases. 

Idea of buying Bordeaux en primeur now is 'null and void', says Farr Vintners

Wine investors who bought one case of each of Bordeaux's first growth chateaux for the five years from 2009 would have lost £35,000 if they sold last Friday, said the Wall Street Journal's Will Lyons.

Britain's shoppers now too savvy to buy solely on promotion, says Nielsen

Britain's grocery shoppers are no longer tempted to buy just because something's on promotion, according to data from analysts Nielsen.

Harpers Awards 2014 winners

The winners from #harpersawards 2014, see the pictures of the winners here.

London Wine Fair June 3: What is happening

Here we pick out some of the key goings on at today's London Wine Fair at Olympia including a run down of key debates, seminars and masterclases. 

London Wine Fair: Live News Blog

Wine must connect emotionally with consumers hears Harpers debate

Making an emotional connection with consumers, and creating personalised, shareable and useful content is vital to selling wine, heard Harpers debate at London Wine Fair.

London Wine Fair opens with Harpers debate on consumer power

How companies can successfully harness consumer power as the central point of their business strategy will be the theme of this morning's Harpers debate on the opening day of the London Wine Fair.

London Wine Fair opens its doors

The wine trade is looking forward to a re-energised London Wine Fair, which returns to its roots today from Kensington Olympia, with 20% more exhibitors on site.

Penfolds' chief winemaker says 2014 vintage 'surprisingly good'

Penfolds' chief winemaker says Australia's 2014 vintage is "surprisingly good for something that was looking a bit ordinary".

London Wine Fair June 2: What is happening

London Wine Fair hightlights for Monday

Meet the Winemakers at London Wine Fair

Ultimately the success of any trade event rests in the quality of wines and winemakers exhibiting. Here we pick out some of the more interesting winemakers who will be on hand in London in June

Key debates and seminars at London Wine Fair

The London Wine Fair promises more seminars and debates than ever before. Here we pick out our highlights:

New exhibitors at London Wine Fair 2014

It is testament to the importance of the UK in the international wine industry that it can still attract, after all these years, new countries to the show, as well as a number of returning generic bodies and wine-producing nations

The Benevolent Party celebrations at Kensington Roof Gardens

Drinks industry charity, The Benevolent has joined forces with the LWF organisers to host the Roof Gardens Benevolent Party, which will both celebrate the end of the 2014 show and raise money for the charity.

London Wine Fair Brewhouse

Brewhouse will be a table-top tasting devoted to small-batch, specialist and craft beers, which follows on from the successful Pop Up International Beer Competition at last year's fair, which attracted large numbers of visitors, and reflects the growing interest in craft beers from the independent and on-trade sectors as well as from the multiple grocers.