Jerry Lockspeiser: The winemakers that changed the world…and those that made themselves redundant

Harpers columnist Jerry Lockspeiser is the former chairman of Off Piste Wines. Lockspeiser left at the end of 2019 after ten years at the company, which he helped to grow from ‘acorn to oak tree’ after joining back in 2010. His departure follows an investment in Off Piste just before Christmas, which will take the company into a new phase of development. Lockspeiser was also involved in the founding and building of Bottle Green in 1990 and organic wine specialist Vinceremos Wines in 1985. Here, he takes a reflective look back on 15 years that changed the wine world. 

Feel Good Grapes: All you need to know about the new online retailer

UK-based wine businessman and writer Mike Turner has added a new string to his bow for 2020. As well as running Please Bring Me My Wine, a wine industry focused digital media consultancy, and co-owning Primrose Hill restaurant La Ferme, where he oversees the wine list and wine training, he has launched a new online wine merchant.

Trump trade truce puts US tariffs on French wine on hold

The USA’s threat of slapping 100% tariffs on US$2.4 billion worth of French imports including wine and Champagne seems to have been put on hold after the countries’ leaders announced a ceasefire on Twitter.

Diageo Reserve hits the road for UK studios tour

Diageo is preparing to get bartenders revved up ahead of its annual World Class cocktail-making competition with a UK-wide ‘training tour’.

Smartphones boost consumer interest in wine while ‘knowledge’ slides

The world’s wine drinkers are quickly becoming a population of confident connoisseurs thanks to widespread access to the internet and the ubiquity of smartphones. But are they any more knowledgeable offline?

New MD steps up at Lanson UK ahead of major brand overhaul

Robert Rand has been appointed as The House of Lanson’s new UK managing director as the company prepares to unveil several far reaching changes to its range. 

Henschke manages fire woes while bolstered China and Armenia get a look in at Liberty tasting

Liberty Wines returned to The Oval for its annual shebang yesterday with a number of new stars to brighten up what turned out to be an exceptionally dismal afternoon weather-wise.

One in three drinkers cutting back on consumption

One-third of UK drinkers are consuming less alcohol than they were 12 months ago, according to new research.

Jascots lists Barbaresco producer Rivetti

London-based on-trade distributor Jascots has added organic Barbaresco and Barolo producer Massimo Rivetti to its list.

Events guide 2020: What not to miss

James Lawrence looks ahead to some of the essential trade dates across another busy year

Essex farmer launches first British grown Baijiu

Baijiu, China’s most popular and enduring spirit, has continued its outward march into international markets over the past year with a new London-based spirits body and a global partnership with Pernod Ricard.

Former Blue Peter presenter jumps ship to head up Mangrove marketing

Greek winery expands in London on-trade

Greek winery T-Oinos is celebrating new listings at a range of top restaurants in London.

Henschke drops Enotria for Liberty Wines

Iconic family-owned Australian wine producer Henschke has appointed Liberty Wines as its UK agent.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The essential Christmas gift for every wine entrepreneur

About twenty years ago I tried to sell a sparkling wine from Italy that was almost unknown in the UK market. We were a significant supplier to the major retailers and worked closely with them on new product development ideas, from lesser known grape varieties, regions and countries, to new styles and packaging for better-known wines. My Italian sparkling wine was from a medium sized organic producer whose wines we had won listings for, but the buyers felt that it was not well known enough in our market and wouldn’t sell. It was, of course, Prosecco.

Spotlight on 2020: Hugh Sturges, Jeroboams

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

A taste of the Occitanie

Harpers hosted a round table in association with La Région Occitanie to assess the scope for encouraging UK consumers to trade up in this diverse corner of France

Spotlight on 2020: Simon Doyle, Concha y Toro UK

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Spotlight on 2020: Andy Talbot, Off-Piste Wines

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Spotlight on 2020: Damian Clarke, Freixenet Copestick

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.