Australian wine grape crush defies early predictions

The National Vintage Report 2019 for Australia has revealed a 1% decrease in the national wine grape crush to an estimated 1.73 million tonnes (Mt).

Villa Maria hails “greatest ever harvest”

Top kiwi winemaker Villa Maria is full of enthusiasm for its wines from the 2019 vintage, with “numerous highlights” from the Hawkes Bay and Gisborne areas leading the winery to declare its best ever harvest.

South African harvest slumps to record low

The South African wine grape harvest in 2019 hit a record low thanks to a drought and fluctuating weather conditions. However, winemakers are positive about the quality of the resulting vintage.

Côtes du Rhône declares 2018 ‘outstanding’ vintage

Côtes du Rhône has declared the 2018 vintage as ‘outstanding' marking the fourth in a series of such quality for the AOC.

Alsace boasts optimum quality and quantity harvest

Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d'Alsace (CIVA) has announced optimum quality and quantity for the 2018 harvest.

2018 Burgundy: excellent reds and solid whites

Panos Kakaviatos reports from Hospices de Beaune on the ins and outs of the 2018 vintage. 

Napa Valley reports strong vintage with ideal weather conditions

Napa Valley has announced a “Goldilocks” 2018 vintage.

Low disease pressure and minimal intervention casts warm glow over UK wine industry

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Douro harvest delivers quality on back of “absurdly low” yields

Following a year of challenging weather extremes, the Douro’s 2018 harvest has given up some “excellent Ports and Douro wines” according to Symington Family Estate’s annual harvest report.

Bourgogne export volumes grow by 4%

Bourgogne wines saw exports grow by 4% in volume for the first seven months of 2018, compared to the same period in 2017, according to the Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB).

Indies brave the storm

With the likes of an undetermined Brexit and poor 2017 harvest to deal with, how are independents coping? Lisa Riley reports

Chablis harvest is hailed best in 20 years

The Chablis harvest of 2018 is the best in 20 years, Louis Moreau, president of the Chablis Commission has announced.

First exclusive Consorzio DOC delle Venezie Pinot Grigio harvest closes

The first exclusive Pinot Grigio and the second grape harvest of the Consorzio DOC delle Venezie is coming to a close.

‘Dream’ growing season for UK producers

UK wine producers have experienced a ‘dream growing season’ on the back of the hot summer weather.

Loire Valley predicts ‘excellent quality’ harvest

Interloire has predicted this year’s Loire Valley harvest will be of “excellent quality”.

Germany sees earliest grape harvests on record

Germany has seen its earliest grape harvests on record this year due to warm weather and early flowering.

South Africa 2018 harvest “most challenging” in living memory

Serious drought in the Western Cape affected both natural supplies of water and government allocations ahead of this year’s harvest.

Record-breaking weather means Champagne harvest will begin in August

The 2018 Champagne harvest will become only the fifth vintage in the last 15 years to begin in August, according to the Comité Champagne.

Computer vision: an eye on the future

Computer vision has been used for years for facial recognition software and this this type of technology will become instrumental in decoding drinking trends, says Jo Gilbert.