Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Rioja declares 2019 ‘the’ vintage

Published: 25 October, 2019

Rioja has declared 2019 'the' vintage and, as reported across several European wine regions, one of lower yield but “maximum quality”.

Official launch for Spanish Wine Scholar program

Published: 21 October, 2019

The Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) has officially launched its Spanish Wine Scholar (SWS) study and certification program.

Gran Juvé & Camps reborn as organic Cava

Published: 15 October, 2019

Juvé & Camps has expressed its commitment to sustainability with the launch of the first organic certified vintage of its flagship premium Cava.

Organic rise lifts Spain's export potential

Published: 14 October, 2019

The number of organic wine producers in Spain jumped by 10% in 2018 to 1,033 up from 939 in 2017, new government figures show.

Ribera whites herald new era

Published: 08 October, 2019

Spain’s Ribera del Duero wine board has authorised DO (Denominación de Origen) status for white wines.

Agustín Trapero on Cebreros DOP: when the terruño talks

Published: 13 September, 2019

Head sommelier and consultant Agustín Trapero dips into one of Spain’s most promising new DOPs.

Wine Scholar Guild launches new Spanish programme

Published: 24 July, 2019

Wine education body the Wine Scholar Guild is to launch a new study and certification programme centred on Spanish wine production in October.

The sense of discovery offered by Spain still has some way to run, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

That Spain has been on a roll over the past decade in terms of generating excitement is inarguable. Reworked, emerging and new regions have been pumping out the vinous equivalent of fireworks, delighting and engaging both critics and trade.

Q&A: Ben Henshaw, director, Indigo Wines

Published: 23 July, 2019

Off-piste importer Ben Henshaw talks Andrew Catchpole through his latest hands-on passion for making wine

GCF ups focus on Spanish portfolio, with organic and vegan certification

Published: 08 July, 2019

Les Grands Chais de France's (GCF) has continued to invest in its first venture beyond its Gallic roots, the Castillo Aresan estate in La Mancha, with organic and vegan cerification for a range that now includes 10 single varietal wines acorss the colour spectrum.

UK overtakes Spain as biggest market for Brockmans Gin

Published: 05 July, 2019

Gin continues to boom for Brockmans here in the UK, which is now the brand’s top market thanks to a recent push into the supermarkets.

Indigo adds Bodega Lanzaga to its portfolio

Published: 29 May, 2019

Spanish specialist Indigo Wine has signed a deal as the UK distributor of Telmo Rodríguez and Pablo Eguzkiza’s Bodega Lanzaga – the duo’s visionary project to restore special historic vineyard sites in Rioja.

Cava splits in danger of ‘utterly baffling’ consumers

Published: 29 April, 2019

Xavier Gramona of breakaway Cava group Corpinnat has warned that the collective industry is in danger of becoming too confusing for consumers unless it agrees on a clear path forward.

Q&A: Alvaro Palacios

Published: 23 April, 2019

Álvaro Palacios has done more than most to show the world what Spanish terroir has to offer. Andrew Catchpole speaks to the winemaker Alvaro Palacios, Descendientes De J Palacios and Bodegas Palacios Remondo about what drives his passion

Alavesa name change to Euskadi to boost ‘weight and identity’ of Basque Rioja

Published: 16 April, 2019

The Rioja Alavesa Association (ABRA) has voted in favour of a name change to Association of Bodegas de Euskadi (ABE), while expanding its remit to all interested Basque wine producers.

Risky business in Rioja

Published: 15 April, 2019

Rioja’s new single-vineyard classification signals the region’s desire to go after greater premium market share. The big question is, will it succeed?

Moreno returns to roots with Flora Fine Wines

Published: 10 April, 2019

Wine trade veteran Abbi Moreno is opening a new venture, Flora Fine Wines, on 11 April bringing a mix of organic, biodynamic and natural wines to northwest London.

Amathus strengthens Priorat and Montsant

Published: 06 March, 2019

Amathus Drinks has expanded its Spanish portfolio with the addition of two new Catalonian producers: Celler l’Encastell from Priorat and Celler Masroig from Montsant.

Spain celebrates new Caballeros del Vino

Published: 05 March, 2019

The Wine Society’s Pierre Mansour and Paul Shinnie of Alliance Wines were the latest UK trade to be honour at a lively Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino annual dinner in Mayfair last night, where they were officially invested into the red-robed order by Spanish ambassador His Excellency Carlos Bastarreche.

Unlocking Rioja’s potential

Published: 13 December, 2018

Rioja’s Viñedos Singulares classification is a major step towards elevating the region’s status, writes Tim Atkin MW.

Rioja’s Consejo Regulador is the oldest in Spain, a body that owes its existence to a Royal Decree, no less, of October 22, 1926. From the start, the Consejo’s mandate included the right to take legal measures against “usurpers and counterfeiters of the Rioja brand”, as well as to issue production seals, demarcate the region and decide on its future direction.