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The week that was

Top stories: Britain has been in the glare of the world’s spotlight once again this week as Theresa May makes her final bid to lead the UK through Brexit as PM.

Harpers reached out to business leaders, who said the proposed deal could offer a glimmer of the certainty that the business world has been so clearly lacking for the past couple of years.

Although, as one high profile chief executive pointed out, if the deal fails to make it past parliament and the EU’s 27 member states, we could be in for tumultuous times.

A global challenge of a different kind also reappeared this week with a tale that is becoming tragically familiar in California.

The blaze, which is now the state’s deadliest ever, is yet another reminder of how climate change is affecting our planet, claiming lives, homes and businesses in the process.

• California wildfires ‘not particularly’ affecting wine country 
• Global wine markets: China shines as Brexit Britain picks up wooden spoon
• Distell to launch fine wine division
• Diageo sells 19 brands to Sazerac
• Tim Atkin MW: It’s heating up in Burgundy
• Freixenet-Copestick merger to create sparkling super supplier
• Trade remains fearful of no deal Brexit
• Diageo sells 19 brands to Sazerac
• Lidl sweeps the board at Wotwine supermarket awards
• Research unveils UK winemaking areas that could rival Champagne

Analysis and Insights: This week we continued our USA focus with a look at California.

Following a trip with fellow MWs, Natasha Hughes delved beyond the usual suspects Chardonnay and Cabernet to look at the in the Golden State’s 110 different grape varieties, many of which are growing in commercial importance.

And with Christmas just around the corner, where would we be without a return to the fortunes of fortified wines?

Although the festive period remains the most important for sales in this historic category, some argue that consumer trial and brand building is increasingly taking place outside of December, with consumers returning at this time of year to repurchase – for themselves and as gifts – new products that they have acquired confidence in throughout the year.

• California soul
• Breaking the mould

People and Opinion: Buoyed by October’s encouraging interim results, Tesco is heading into the festive season with a hand in the on-trade for the first time, thanks to its merger with cash-and-carry group Booker.

Harpers spoke to BWS director Robert Cooke about what the deal means for alcoholic drinks sales at the UK’s biggest grocer.

And we spoke to Moët & Chandon’s chef de cave about the ‘fad’ of zero-dosage Champagnes and why more needs to be done to highlight the vintage category.

The house has become a victim of its own success says Gouez, with vintage Champagnes being overshadowed by the hype of its prestige cuvees.

• Q&A: Robert Cooke beers, wines & spirits director, Tesco
• Q&A: Benoit Gouez, chef de cave, Moët & Chandon