Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

ProWein 2016 preview

Published: 11 March, 2016

With the world of wine and spirits soon to descend on Düsseldorf for ProWein, Harpers delivers the essential knowledge on the largest drinks trade show

Sicily takes control of its destiny

Published: 10 March, 2016

"Historically, the UK took Sicilian wine from northern bottlers in huge quantities," says Nick Bielak, director of Vinexus, whose agencies include the big Marsala-based co-op, Cantina Europa

How Italy's complexity can be its greatest draw

Published: 10 March, 2016

When it comes to supplying the off-trade with entry-level wines, Italy certainly punches above its weight

Morrisons rings the changes

Published: 10 March, 2016

Morrisons' wine team is bucking the trend, with a revitalised range, rising sales and a collaborative approach to suppliers delivering awards and customer spend

Five years on from co-founding In Pursuit of Balance, Jasmine Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards and Rajat Parr of Domaine de la Côte and Sandhi talk about their vision for west coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Why indies need to use the web wisely

Published: 09 March, 2016

With online wine sales booming, independents stand to lose out to bigger players unless they use the web wisely to promote their USPs

Go West 2016 tasting preview

Published: 09 March, 2016

The Go West tasting offers an unrivalled insight into the wines of California, Oregon and Washington

What the Living Wage means for the trade

Published: 08 March, 2016

We all need to earn enough to survive. But the Chancellor's introduction of a Living Wage, announced last year and to be introduced this April, has proved controversial

Q&A: Jay Wright, chief executive, Virgin Wines

Published: 08 March, 2016

Virgin Wines cashed in on the recent Christmas trading period and saw sales soar by 12%, attracting 30,000 new online customers in the process. The man at the helm talks to Erin Smith about what it takes to be a success online

The Smith Report: Has China fully recovered?

Published: 08 March, 2016

China, which once was the promised land for iconic wines, hit a tough patch, but with a growing middle class and an ever-growing appreciation for wine, could now be the time to start importing there?

Grain versus grape: the rise of craft beer

Published: 07 March, 2016

"Stick a cork in it. Wine is done," declared the New York Daily News back in 2013. "Fancy beers in oversize bottles are the hottest items on drink lists at swank restaurants and bars across the city."

Taking a break from the mainstream

Published: 07 March, 2016

It's often said that Champagne sales are a pretty accurate economic barometer, their fluctuations closely matching the financial health of the nation, fast charting out the highs and lows of boom and bust.

Profile: Denis O'Flynn, Pernod Ricard

Published: 07 March, 2016

intDenis O'Flynn, managing director of Pernod Ricard, brings with him a clear strategy, an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for the industry - what could be better?

The problem with mark-up madness in the on-trade

Published: 04 March, 2016

I love Riesling. I'll always buy it in the supermarket, I will always look out for it in restaurants and I'll always seek it out wherever I go.

A second helping of Vinisud reflects on the wines to the fore at this year's show

Published: 25 February, 2016

Vinisud 2016 revealed a fresh focus on old vines and varietes

South African harvest 2016

Published: 23 February, 2016

The hottest growing season in South Africa since 1904, according to official statistics, is having a major impact on production for the current vintage. Yields are dramatically lower - down by as much as 60% or more in certain regions like Swartland - with the national crush expected to the smallest for over a decade.

Insights: On the cusp of a Balkan revival?

Published: 18 February, 2016

A tasting earlier this month at London's Institute of Directors showed that the financial and technical support being given to producers in Greece, Bulgaria and central Italy is paying dividends.

Andrew Bewes: Consolidation is forcing suppliers and industry to adapt

Published: 16 February, 2016

At last week's Hallgarten Druitt annual trade tasting held in London, managing director Andrew Bewes, discussed the impact consolidation is having on the industry, how it forcing suppliers to up their service offering, but also changing the way the trade is sourcing its wine.

Insights: The pros and cons of buying groups and the changing agency model

Published: 16 February, 2016

Buying groups, particularly among independent merchants and on-trade wholesalers, are becoming more commonplace. Harpers.co.uk investigates the pros and cons of joining one

Q&A: Gary Cann, BWS procurement manager, Living Ventures Group

Published: 12 February, 2016

Gary Cann is the buyer at Manchester's leading bar and restaurant operator and he talks about drinks trends and the challenges of meeting these as an expanding on-trade group