Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Indigo turns 21 with special guests tasting

Published: 11 September, 2024

Indigo Wine celebrated 21 years in business this week via a special gathering of the wines and winemakers which helped to put the business on the UK map.

Naked Wines UK appoints new MD

Published: 30 October, 2023

Online wine retailer, Naked Wines, has appointed Rodrigo Maza as MD of the UK business (pictured), as it continues to grapple with the ongoing challenge of new customer acquisition post-Covid.

Colchagua a ‘microcosm’ of Chile’s diverse future

Published: 27 February, 2023

Once dubbed the ‘Hollywood of Chile” by regional expert Amanda Barnes, Colchagua Valley is on track to lead the next generation of rising stars by dint of its focus on artisanal diversity.

Pinot Noir renaissance continues in Alsace

Published: 12 August, 2022

The ratification of Pinot Noir for use in of two Alsace's grand cru is opening up “new possibilities” as well as reviving a key part of the history of the region, an Alsace official has said.

Uruguayan specialist Vinos Latinos spreads wings over Andes

Published: 10 June, 2022

The UK’s Uruguayan specialist importer Vinos Latinos is set to embark on a “new phase for the business” having secured significant investment for growth.

Trade celebrates achievements while tackling bias via International Women’s Day

Published: 08 March, 2022

International Women’s Day (IWD) is shining a spotlight on the top female talent working in the industry today, with initiatives like Whisky Investment Partners’ Break The Bias campaign also raising awareness of the continuing battle for many to achieve gender parity in the workplace.

Atkin unveils latest Rioja Report

Published: 10 February, 2022

Harpers columnist Tim Atkin MW has launched the 2022 edition of his Rioja Report – the seventh in-depth study, published via Atkin's website.

Headline heroes: Wakefield Wines

Published: 25 January, 2022

Having recently signed up to the exemplary Science Based Targets initiative, Wakefield Wines is a beacon on the path to sustainability.

Long read: Organic wine, climate crisis and what it means for brand identity

Published: 04 November, 2021

With COP26 pressing the urgency for action on climate crisis, Denomination’s CEO Rowena Curlewis stresses the need for producers to build change into their business strategies and examines what this means for packaging and identity.

Laithwaites commits to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035

Published: 20 September, 2021

Laithwaites has committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, with the shorter-term goal of halving its carbon footprint by 2030.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Sean Lock, wine and the value of originality

Published: 26 August, 2021

Comedian Sean Lock passed away on 16 August. Many knew him from TV, radio and his live one man shows. 8 out of 10 cats on Channel 4 was probably his biggest audience. Sean’s sparkling eyes, dead pan delivery and absurdist wit made him a true original.

Bordeaux Day dates revealed

Published: 29 June, 2021

The new dates for the pushed back inaugural Bordeaux Day have been revealed with events confirmed for both London and Manchester.

Covid and Phylloxera – lessons for the wine trade

Published: 11 March, 2021

Sam Hellyer, head of wine and spirits at Chiswick Auctions, counts 10 years at Oddbins as part of a varied résumé where he headed up the Fine Wine branch in Oxford.

‘Nouvelle generation’ to drive Beaujolais export potential

Published: 10 December, 2020

With good recent vintages to its name and wines that sit squarely with the modern trend towards fresher, lighter styles, Beaujolais certainly appears to be well placed to capture the attention of a new generation of drinkers. Add in ‘ownership’ of Gamay, a distinctive and easy-to-like variety, and the region also offers a sense of discovery (or re-discovery for older drinkers) in a world awash with international grapes.

Oz wines hit with huge Chinese import taxes

Published: 30 November, 2020

China has imposed taxes of up to 212% on imports of Australian wine.

National Trust Scotland goes Naked to fund conservation

Published: 15 September, 2020

Naked Wines has launched a partnership with National Trust for Scotland (NTS) to raise conservation funds from selected wine sales.

The Wine Society launches initiative to support ‘key’ growers

Published: 03 September, 2020

The Wine Society has launched a campaign to support some of its key growers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Botrytis bio-fungicide approved in Australia

Published: 25 August, 2020

Eden Research has received authorisation for the sale of its bio-fungicide, which protects against Botrytis Cinerea, in Australia, for use on wine and table grapes.

Naked’s Covid-19 Support Fund turns focus to SA

Published: 12 August, 2020

Naked Wines is launching an online crowdfunder this week, with a target of raising £225,000 for beleaguered South Africa wine winemakers.

“Smallest vintage in living memory” delights Oz winemakers, if not accountants

Published: 16 June, 2020

Off the back of a “rollercoaster ride”, variously involving frosts, drought, heatwaves, horrendous bush fires and finally the disruption of Covid-19, Australia’s 2020 vintage is expected to produce some “sensational wines” from a very low yielding crush.