Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Christmas Cheers

Published: 15 November, 2013

In the second of our major reports on key trends for the Christmas drinks market, we look for festive cheer in the spirits and Champagne categories.

Spirit Supplier Views

Published: 14 November, 2013

Views from: Gillian Gibson, global brand manager, Balblair; Roy Summers, head of category management, First Drinks; Simon van Moppes, commercial director, Pernod Ricard

Consumer reasearch session: Champagne

Published: 14 November, 2013

The 21 attendees were asked to taste seven different Champagnes and then to fill in a questionnaire, which explored their attitudes and knowledge on fizz in more detail.

Nobody loves Champagne quite as much as the British, writes Anne Krebiehl. Françoise Peretti - director of the Champagne Bureau, the UK office of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne - even refers to an "enduring love affair".

Champagne Supplier Views

Published: 14 November, 2013

Views from: Keith Isaac MW, general manager, Champagne de Castelnau Isaac; Andrew Steel, co-founder and director, Connoisseur Estates,

Christmas Spirits

Published: 14 November, 2013

From awkward December dalliances at the company party to toasting Christmas pudding on the big day, spirits play an important role in the 21st-century Christmas. Lucy Britner looks ahead at what tipples will be being tipped this year.

Champagne Retailer Views

Published: 14 November, 2013

Views from: Ben Stephenson, managing director, Hangingditch, Manchester; Tracy Ford, BWS category director, Asda; Laura Jewell MW, Tesco

Spirits Retailer & On-trade Views

Published: 14 November, 2013

Views from: Sukhinder Singh, Whisky Exchange; Simon Van Moppes, Pernod Ricard UK; Mal Evans, Mojo bars in Manchester

Analysis: How France is holding its own in global wine production despite difficult 2013 vintage

Published: 04 November, 2013

In response to last week's report from Morgan Stanley Research, which revealed a possible global wine shortage on the horizon, Harpers.co.uk is taking a closer look at key wine producing countries to assess whether they may or may not be contributing to the the global wine shortage hype. Today we look at France.

Global bulk wine market opens up says Murphy Wine Company

Published: 01 November, 2013

Buyers are currently experiencing a certain sense of relief as the global bulk wine supply has opened up and created a slight breathing space. Big harvests this year in the Southern hemisphere helped relieve the pressure from the losses of the 2012 European harvest. The 2013 Northern hemisphere harvests are indicating a return to average crop levels in Europe, and California is set to have another big crop which will help to continue the trend.

Analysis: Australia's role in global wine shortage concerns

Published: 01 November, 2013

Buy some wine stock and lock the bottles up - a wine shortage may be on the horizon. Morgan Stanley Research released a report titled, "The Global Wine Industry" this week, calling out the risk of an impending 'shortage'.

How Treasury Wine Estates is turning heads with its premium Californian wines

Published: 18 October, 2013

If David Dearie's shock sacking as Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) chief executive last month was indeed connected to the $160m writedown the company's US division suffered earlier this year, its stable of Californian wineries continues to produce premium wine that keep turning heads.

WSTA Conference: The trade needs to stick together

Published: 11 October, 2013

Last month's WSTA conference demonstrated how powerful the drinks sector can be when it is united and the dangers when it is not, says Richard Siddle

Big, bold, but Beautiful?

Published: 11 October, 2013

The Beautiful South Tasting challenged the concept of generic wine tastings. Erin Smith analyses what worked and lessons for the future

Asda: Income Tracker Report

Published: 11 October, 2013

In this comprehensive analysis of the spending power of the average UK consumer, Asda has assessed the situation in all areas of the country and not only looks at how the financial crisis has changed consumers' shopping behaviour now, but looks at how they are going to change in the coming years.

Are you making the most of international trade shows?

Published: 11 October, 2013

Love them or loathe them, international wine trade fairs are an intrinsic part of a buyers' calendar. But what are the best ways of making the most of your time? For those seeking, for example, to gain a greater understanding of Spanish wines, the town of Ciudad Real is not an obvious first port of call. Being 200km north of Madrid, the town has no obvious links to the wine trade. No links, that is, apart from every two years hosting the Fenavin trade tasting.

Port & Sherry Supplier Views

Published: 07 October, 2013

Views from: Jim Grierson, on-trade sales director, Maxxium UK (Harveys); Tony Brown MW, Boutinot (Wiese & Krohn Port); Anthony Habert, UK marketing manager, Sandeman Port; Mark Symonds, marketing controller, Port and Madeira, Fells (Symington Family Estates); Damian Carrington, sales and marketing director, Fields, Morris & Verdin (Lustau, Quinta de la Rosa); Jeremy Rockett, marketing director, González Byass; Jackie Brown, senior brand manager, Maisons, Marques et Domaines (Ramos Pinto); Andrew Hawes, managing director, Mentzendorff (Fladgate, Hidalgo).

Sparkling

Published: 07 October, 2013

Traditionally sparkling wine and Champagne were considered special purchases and were strictly reserved for high days and holidays when there was something to celebrate, such as weddings, Christmas and birthdays. However, sparkling wine is increasingly becoming the drink of choice in a far wider range of social situations, and occasions, be it simply enjoying a meal or drinks with friends or family and is often selected in preference to still wines.

Port & Sherry Buyer & Sommelier Views

Published: 07 October, 2013

Views from: Gyles Walker, wine buyer, Morrisons; Hal Wilson, managing director, Cambridge Wine Merchants; Rémi Cousin, assistant head sommelier, the Fat Duck; Andrea Briccarello, head sommelier, Galvin La Chapelle.

Fortified

Published: 07 October, 2013

Port continues to show resilience in the UK, with sales growing by value in a stagnant wine market. For Mark Symonds of Fells (Symington Ports), the category's price hierarchy is a key positive, with products available from cheap ruby through LBV, aged tawnies and colheitas, single quinta vintage and traditional vintage.