The week that was

Top Stories: This week, Rioja’s official control board said it had “finalised” long-term efforts to update what can appear on labels, with the introduction of Village and Zone Wines.

Meanwhile, former Sainsbury’s and Oddbins buyer Julie Buckley jumped ship to Majestic this week as the retailer’s senior buyer, and we reported on how Australia’s alternative grapes varieties are turning about the fortunes of the region’s premium sector in the UK.

• Majestic appoints former Sainsbury’s buyer
• Villages and zone wines to be allowed in Rioja
• Majestic reports surging Sherry sales
• Australia’s alternative varieties buck trend in UK market
• Wine Source UK adds Champagne Gosset to its portfolio

Christmas Coming: Despite still being on British “summertime” the Christmas count down has well and truly begun. With tastings already underway for Noel 2017, here at Harpers we’ve been catching up with some prominent members of the trade to find out how they’re approaching this year’s all important festive period with a series of web stories.

We also brought you a report from Pernod Ricard’s Christmas briefing in London yesterday, where the world’s number two in wines and spirits revealed their two winter off-trades campaigns and outlined opportunities for premium growth this Christmas.

• Pernod aims to grow "massive" uplift in Christmas spirits with two premium focused campaigns
• Looking ahead: Neil Anderson, Kingsland Drinks
• Looking ahead to the Xmas run up: Nik Darlington, MD, Red Squirrel Wine 
• Looking ahead: Andrew Bewes, MD at Hallgarten

Analysis and Insights: A bumper week of analysis and insights brought you a closer look at the winners of Harpers Design Awards 2017, the rise of smart technology, and Co-op’s new initiative which involves customers in new product development.

• Design Wars
• Cork Fights Back
• Digital packaging: how smart is your bottle?
• Co-operating with consumers

People and Opinion: Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole caught up with Santa Rita Estates’ premium winemaker about the exciting evolution transforming Chilean winemaking.

• Q&A: Sebastián Labbé, Santa Rita Estates