Sustainability: a transatlantic conversation with California Wines

Harpers and California Wine Institute hosted an insightful and far-reaching seminar at London’s Design Museum, delivering the core message that the wine world is well-placed to better engage consumers in supporting the true costs of advancing sustainability. Andrew Catchpole reports

Majestic sale confirmed

The sale of Majestic Wine to US private equity firm Fortress has been confirmed.

Friday Read: Talking hard Graft with Nik Darlington and David Knott

A similar philosophy has brought Red Squirrel and the Knotted Vine into a new chapter for both businesses. Jo Gilbert caught up with the trade’s latest power duo

People's Choice Awards recognises women-driven wines

A wine competition judged by consumers has added a new category to highlight the contributions of female winemakers.

Lizzy Rudd confirmed to stay on at helm of BBR

Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) has confirmed that Lizzy Rudd will maintain her role as executive chairman at the family-owned St James wine merchant.

UK and non-EU workers plugging London’s hospitality recruitment gap

Workers from the UK and outside the UK are picking up the slack from the declining number of EU nationals applying to work in hospitality jobs in the UK.

Looking ahead: Miles McInnes, Jascots Wine Merchants

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Tim Atkin MW: How low can you go?

Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC

Bolney clinches deal with mainland China

Bolney Wine Estate has become the first English wine producer to secure distribution in mainland China.

Thinking outside the wine box on global shortages

Sourcing more cannily, focusing on quality and seeking out alternatives are just some of the outcomes that have resulted from increased supply and price pressures over the past few years. Re-evaluation was a key theme at the London Wine Fair Innovation Zone debate on May 22, as panellists discussed how best to meet changing consumer needs when global consumption patterns and global supply rarely see eye to eye.

Tim Atkin MW: Where wines really come from doesn’t matter to many

I’ve never been to the Phantom River in New Zealand’s South Island, but a quick search online shows that it rises in the Ben McLeod Range and joins the Orari River close to Peel Forest. With its echoes of nature, mystery and the gold rush, it’s a wonderful name for a Sauvignon Blanc brand. Punters clearly think so too, as Phantom River is currently selling several million bottles at £5 in Sainsbury’s.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The rise of the empowered consumer

“Business leaders can no longer assume that consumers make rational decisions about which products to buy and use. Today’s empowered customers no longer purchase products; they buy experiences. They engage with brands that deliver what they need, when they need it, regardless of the delivery mechanism or channel.

Bacardi marches 5,500 employees ‘Back to the Bar’ for grassroots on-trade initiative

Employees at spirits powerhouse Bacardi left their computers and labs yesterday and headed to their local bars as part of a global initiative to find out what’s driving engagement at the sharp end of the trade.

Jerry Lockspeiser: What wine would you drink in an igloo?

During November and December last year, a skiing inspired pop-up appeared on London’s Southbank near the Festival Hall. Close to the skate boarders and overlooking the river Thames, Jimmy’s Lodge featured an outside bar and grill, inside restaurant and three heated Private Dining Igloos (or Snow Globes) for 6-10 people.

Looking ahead: Jason Haynes, co-founder, Flint Wines

With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.

Diageo boss calls for action over “scandalous” talent waste in wake of Brexit

Diageo boss Ivan Menezes has claimed that there is a “scandalous waste of talent” in the UK with 790,000 young people not in education, unemployment or training (NEET).

Q&A: Steve Fennell, Sanford Winery & Vineyards

Steve Fennell, general manager and head winemaker at Sanford Winery & Vineyards located in Santa Rita Hills, talks about the winery that helped put the region on the map in the infamous film Sideways

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Ex-News of the World journalist to head WSTA communications

A former News of the World journalist, who was acquitted of criminal charges of paying sources for information, has been appointed as the Wine & Spirit Trade Association's head of communications.

Selfridges buyer Davies to leave after nine years for new challenge

Selfridges beer, wine and spirit buyer Dawn Davies is leaving the post after nine years.