Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Tim Atkin MW: Where does Spain fit in the battle for wine supremacy?

Published: 03 June, 2016

Tim Atkin takes a look at Spanish terrior and where Spanish wines fit in the hieracrchy for supermacy as a top wine producing country.

Opinion: Logistic providers within the drinks trade need to respond to the changing landscape

Published: 31 May, 2016

As DHL's Tradeteam celebrates two decades in business, managing director James Gill discusses the changing face of the drinks logistics market and the crucial role logistics partners play in working with their customers to address the challenges.

Q&A: Julio Sáenz, La Rioja Alta, S.A.

Published: 27 May, 2016

La Rioja Alta, S.A., has been making wine since it was founded by five families back in 1890. We chatted to Julio Sáenz, winemaker at the premium vineyard since 1996 and technical director since 2005, about how their wines and the winemaking have evolved.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Is wine quality the key to sales?

Published: 26 May, 2016

While everyone in the wine business agrees that product quality is important, how we define 'quailty' may vary. So how do we persuade a buyer to give us a listing?

Jamaican rum's master blender witnesses technology revolution during 35-year career

Published: 26 May, 2016

Joy Spence, master blender at Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, has seen rum production revolutionised over the course of three-and-a-half decades in her chosen field.

The Wine Show's Amelia Singer on being a social (media) butterfly

Published: 25 May, 2016

Amelia Singer, presenter of ITV's The Wine Show, is focusing on bringing new audiences to wine with her fun and friendly presence on social media.

Andrew Maidment: Increasing focus on premium Malbec

Published: 20 May, 2016

Malbec's ever growing popularity is presenting Argentine producers with a dilemma as to whether to promote the country's broader diversity of varieties and styles or focus in on its flagship grape

Peter Darybshire: We need to talk about alcohol

Published: 17 May, 2016

New lobbying group the Healthy Drinking Alliance, set up by Peter Darbyshire, is making inroads with MPs and retailers, but will it win over the trade?

Skin Côntact: It's the final countdown! Mark Andrew talks about his favourite music legends

Published: 12 May, 2016

Our final personal interview with the stars set to take the stage at tonight's Skin Côntact benefit concert is with Mark Andrew of Noble Rot.

Q&A: Michael Taylor, Santa Rita Estates

Published: 12 May, 2016

Michael Taylor, Santa Rita Estates off-trade sales director for Europe, talks about the history and ambition

The Wine Show's Amelia Singer prepares to take the stage for Skin Côntact LIVE concert

Published: 11 May, 2016

For a second year in a row the wine trade supergroup Skin Côntact will be taking to the stage this week in an effort raise aid as part of Comic Relief.

Hattingley's Simon Robinson steps up to the helm of English Wine Producers

Published: 11 May, 2016

Simon Robinson, owner of Hattingley Vineyards in Hampshire, has been appointed Chairman of marketing organisation the English Wine Producers (EWP).

Alistair Cooper reveals his muscial heroes and embarassing moments ahead of Skin Côntact concert

Published: 10 May, 2016

For a second year in a row the wine trade supergroup Skin Côntact will be taking to the stage this week in an effort raise aid as part of Comic Relief.

Sophie McLean takes the stage for Skin Côntact LIVE AGAIN

Published: 10 May, 2016

For a second year in a row the wine trade supergroup Skin Côntact will be taking to the stage this week in an effort raise aid as part of Comic Relief.

Q&A: Dermot Sugrue, Wiston Estate

Published: 10 May, 2016

With his Wiston Estate and Sugrue Pierre sparkling wines scooping up accolades and awards, Dermot Sugrue, the Irish-born winemaker is at the forefront of the English fizz scene.

Q&A: Sunaina Sethi, JKS Restaurants

Published: 04 May, 2016

At just 29, Sethi has already developed the wine lists for London restaurants Trishna, Gymkhana and Hoppers. Jo Gilbert asks what it's like to jump ship.

Profile: Neil Bruce, Fulller's Brewery

Published: 03 May, 2016

Fuller's Brewery has ambitious plans for its wine portfolio, unveiling some radical rethinking of how it's sold and Neil Bruce the head of wine is up for the challenge.

Guy Woodward: Reflecting on those we lost in the wine trade this year

Published: 29 April, 2016

For David Bowie, Terry Wogan and Ronnie Corbett, read Louis Latour, Paul Pontallier and Etienne Hugel. Maybe not in that order. But either way, 2016 has been as cruel a year in the wine community as it has in the wider world.

Tim Atkin MW: The health of wine on the UK high street

Published: 29 April, 2016

Failing the emergence of a last-minute saviour, BHS looks set to slide into administration this week, joining a list of major high street casualties that includes Comet, Woolworths and JJB Sports.