Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spain report: Spain’s innovators

Published: 29 September, 2026

Spanish expert Sarah Jane Evans MW presents a personal selection of just some of the many great winemakers driving the scene forward.

Spain report: Championing Spain

Published: 28 September, 2026

Speaking to specialists across the trade (including representatives from the import sector, the media, and the on- and off-trades), Harpers discovers that there’s plenty to be excited about in the Spanish wine category, with excellence across all the region’s diverse landscapes.

Spain report: The evolving face of Rioja

Published: 23 September, 2026

The closing gala dinner of Rioja’s year-long centenary celebrations was by any measure a glittering affair. With the Consejo introducing its renewed dynamism by way of Raquel Pérez Cuevas, the first female president in its history, the extraordinary number of aged, high-end wines poured also pushed home the message that this region can stand tall in the world. And, having long been defined by the tensions between tradition and budding modernity, the vibe was that Rioja today is more fully embracing its diversity and thus full potential.

Drappier roundtable: Brut nature and forgotten varieties

Published: 15 September, 2026

Hugo Drappier and Harpers invited a panel of leading sommeliers to discuss brut nature and overlooked old varieties, asking how such innovative wines fit with the modern sommelier and contemporary cuisine.

The innovation propelling tequila and mezcal

Published: 14 August, 2026

Agave sprits have been growing rapidly across the world in recent years. In the UK alone, sales volumes in the category experienced a positive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% between 2018 and 2023, according to the IWSR. While this rate is expected to fall to a more modest 2% between 2023 and 2028, this still means that agave is outperforming much of the rest of the spirits market, in which many categories have declining sales.

France report: Importer viewpoints

Published: 27 July, 2026

Already at the top when it comes to import value, French wines are currently benefiting from a host of trends (despite some doubts about long-term demand) including: premiumisation; increasing demand for rosé and crémant; and greater consumer exploration. With an up-close-and-personal view of the category, here’s what some key importers have to say.

Sustainable vineyard tech: Drones, robotics, satellites, AI and more

Published: 10 July, 2026

The drone buzzes across the vineyard, two metres above the vines, dispensing a fine cloud of spray. At the end of the row it moves to the next and flies back, robotically, on a computer-predetermined route. The operator can alter droplet size while it’s flying, down to 70 microns. This isn’t science fiction, but just one of the latest bits of ‘ag tech’, in use at Aotearoa New Zealand Fine Wines’ Pyramid Valley vineyard in Central Otago – and it’s helping them farm organically and regeneratively.

LWF: Reasons to be cheerful

Published: 01 June, 2026

You know things must be bad when industry leaders take time out to highlight the good things that are going on, focusing in on a handful of positives that have bucked the general besieged mood enveloping much of the drinks trade. But there’s a lot to be said for this ‘glass half full’ approach, not least because there are opportunities to be grasped, categories to be leveraged and still a lot of R&D and innovation in our world.

Mendoza: Altitude with attitude

Published: 01 April, 2026

Mendoza’s winemakers scaled new heights to unlock a brave new world of travel, taste and terroir. Now they’re ready for the next chapter, writes Jo Gilbert.

Quinta de Soalheiro joins Thorman Hunt

Published: 27 March, 2026

Quinta de Soalheiro has appointed Thorman Hunt as its distributor in the UK.

Vinexposium reveals V d’Or nominees

Published: 05 January, 2026

Wine Paris organiser Vinexposium has revealed its list of nominees for the third edition of the V d’Or.

Nick Gillett: Sticks, carrots and sustainability in the spirits sector

Published: 29 September, 2025

There was a time where every other headline in spirits industry publications read ‘sustainability’, but it’s not been that way for quite some time. Thanks to the economic headwind we’re all facing (businesses and consumers alike) sustainability has very much slipped down the agenda. Because how can you prioritise the environment in your business, if said business doesn’t survive?

Tech: The start-up aiming to gamify brand training

Published: 14 July, 2025

Many of us spend a decent chunk of the day playing games or fiddling with apps on our phone, but what if you were rewarded for doing so and gained valuable training experience, not to mention kudos from the boss, at the same time?

Guy Woodward: How polytunnels could enhance producers’ toolkit

Published: 13 March, 2025

From Margaret River to Mendoza, Barolo to Burgundy, I’ve seen some picturesque vineyards in my time. The B58 Winery in Beaulieu was not one of them. Muddy, grey and damp, the scene that February morning would do nothing to dispel an outsider’s preconceptions of English wine.

Carbon dioxide recovery tech sees Familia Torres break new ground

Published: 28 February, 2025

A pilot test conducted by Orchestra Scientific has allowed the Familia Torres’ Pacs del Penedès winery to concentrate carbon dioxide from wine fermentation in its purest form for reuse at the winery.

Drinks tech takeover in 2024 and 2025

Published: 18 December, 2024

Jo Gilbert rifles back through a year filled with digital breakthroughs in drinks, dominated by the march of AI, while looking forward to what 2025 may bring.

New study shines light on future trends in spirits

Published: 11 November, 2024

Research undertaken by GlobalData suggests that premiumisation, convenience, generational shifts and AI will be the key drivers of innovation and development in the spirits industry over the next five years.

WineGB launches hub to boost diversity in industry

Published: 06 November, 2024

WineGB has introduced its ‘People Support Hub’ to mark the close of its 30 Days of Sustainable Action campaign, promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the wine sector.

Multiples: Co-op’s balancing act pays off

Published: 10 October, 2024

James Bayley finds the Co-op’s new wine range delivers across the board with traditional favourites and new finds.

Alejandro López appointed new winemaker of Bodegas Beronia

Published: 09 October, 2024

Alejandro López has been named as the new winemaker and technical manager of Bodegas Beronia, taking over from Matías Calleja, who held the position for 42 years.