Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Multiples: A shifting landscape of beverage consumption

Published: 15 May, 2024

James Bayley looks at the growing trend towards functional drinks, such as CBD-infused variants, and how the multiples are responding.

Analysis: English Whisky’s growing pains

Published: 13 May, 2024

The burgeoning English whisky sector is not without its challenges, as Henry Jeffreys reports.

Analysis: Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024

Published: 10 May, 2024

Harpers is once again inviting nominations for this year’s iteration of the hotly contested list of leading UK drinks wholesalers.

Analysis: Oz wine sails back into China

Published: 07 May, 2024

Diversification continues to be a priority for Australian wine companies as they prepare to re-enter the Chinese market, writes Jo Gilbert.

On-trade: Wine needs to be more visible in restaurants

Published: 02 May, 2024

Little coverage is given to the beverage section of a restaurant offer, but there’s potential to make more of it. James Bayley reports on the latest research findings.

Indies: What ‘value’ truly means

Published: 01 May, 2024

Jo Gilbert canvassed independent traders to find out how they are looking to stay relevant and competitive during this era of expensive living.

South America Report: Malbec 2.0

Published: 01 May, 2024

Malbec continues to dominate Argentina’s wine exports, but it is undergoing a radical transformation. Amanda Barnes reports.

South America Report: Evolving Argentina

Published: 29 April, 2024

Argentina continues to diversify in styles and sites, with an ever-growing buffet of wines from across the country. Amanda Barnes samples the main trends.

South America report: Chile’s new frontiers

Published: 26 April, 2024

Following a recent visit, Andrew Catchpole gives a flavour of how the south is reshaping perception of Chile.

South America report: Evolution & tradition in Chile

Published: 26 April, 2024

Chile’s fresh, terroir-focused ‘alternative’ styles are helping refocus attention on its finest wines too, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Round Table: Fermenting Furmint

Published: 22 April, 2024

Hungary’s Furmint has been making waves for both the quality and individuality of the wines, with this spring’s Furmint & Friends tasting at London’s Painters’ Hall featuring the most comprehensive spotlight yet on this grape. Harpers partnered with Wines of Hungary UK to convene a round table to analyse the positioning and potential of this exciting volcanic soil-grown variety, with regional expert Caroline Gilby MW giving an introductory overview. Panellists were also offered a taster of some exemplary styles to frame their discussion.

South America report: Argentina

Published: 24 April, 2024

Prices and volumes from Argentina dipped in 2023, although that followed several years of strong growth for export market-leading Malbec and with the proviso that prices per bottle have held firm. Overall production dipped significantly in 2023 for all varieties, with prices paid per quintal (approx 46kg) of Malbec in the main production area, Mendoza, shooting up (see chart), according to the Argentinian Viticulture Observatory.

South America report: Chile by the numbers

Published: 24 April, 2024

There’s no escaping that Chile had a tough year in its export markets in 2023, with bottled wines falling 21% below 2022 levels. And, while the average price remained steady, at US$29.3 per 9-litre case, the US$1,234m-generating 42.2 million boxes shipped globally fell back to volume export levels last seen 15 years ago (Asociación de Vinos de Chile figs).

Tonic and mixers: Adapting to thrive

Published: 18 April, 2024

The premium mixers market is showing resilience in the face of the cost of living crisis, finds Nigel Huddleston.

Trumpeting change in the USA

Published: 17 April, 2024

Andrew Catchpole considers how an ongoing shift in style is reshaping perception of US wines across The Pond.

Trouble for gin

Published: 16 April, 2024

As cost pressures rise and gin distillery closures begin to rack up, Henry Jeffreys takes the temperature of this major category.

Tech: An AI-enabled future

Published: 15 April, 2024

AI was the hot topic at this year’s Prowein, with AI-produced cuvées showcasing what is possible. Jo Gilbert reports.

Insights: The new big night out

Published: 12 April, 2024

New research has laid bare the state of night-time on-trade businesses operating post-pandemic. James Bayley looks at the new trends shaping the sector.

Multiples: Green moves on Aldi wine aisle

Published: 11 April, 2024

James Bayley talks us through Aldi’s new paper wine bottles and how the move could revolutionise supermarket drinks packaging.

Analysis: Melding whisky and wine

Published: 10 April, 2024

Attending the launch of a fascinating collaboration between Aberfeldy and Ambrosia, Archie McDiarmid contemplates the growing cross-over in cask maturation.