Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Justin Keay: Exploring the uniqueness of wines from the Dao, Portugal

Published: 20 August, 2015

Justin Keay discovers what makes Dao wines so unique.

Opinion: Geoffrey Dean explores Swiss wines

Published: 14 August, 2015

When one of Switzerland's most respected sommeliers at one of the country's best-known hotels laments that his allocation for one Swiss winery is a measly six bottles per year, you are inevitably curious as to its identity.

Tim Atkin MW: Swartland versus Stellenbosch

Published: 07 August, 2015

When the 400 tickets for this year's Swartland Revolution went on sale earlier this summer, they sold out within two minutes. It's the Wild West of wine.

Rosie Davenport: Testing time for Tesco

Published: 31 July, 2015

It could be a long summer for suppliers waiting to hear whether they've made the grade as the extent of the Tesco's wine range cull starts to ripple through the trade.

Justin Keay rediscovers Portugal's lost region, Barraida

Published: 31 July, 2015

Mention Portugal and wine lovers think Douro for its ports and increasingly impressive table wines.

Rosie Davenport: Can Conviviality's bargaining win it Matthew Clark?

Published: 27 July, 2015

One of the more persistent rumours circulating the trade finally found some concrete grounds this month as Conviviality Retail put its head above the parapet and confirmed its intention to buy wholesaler Matthew Clark.

Jerry Lockspeiser encourages us all to break free and rebel when it comes to wine

Published: 27 July, 2015

You know that feeling. For years you have been doing something that seems slightly illicit, almost shameful, then out of the blue someone knowledgeable tells you it's OK. You don't have to hide it any more. And you discover you are not alone. Lots of other people are doing it too. In fact it might even be a good thing!

Richard Siddle: "I'd like to raise a glass to you all..."

Published: 10 April, 2015

When I joined Harpers eight years ago I have to admit I was very much an outsider joining the world of wine and spirits.

Prowein 2015: Roger Jones says Auf Wiedersehen with his highlights from Dusseldorf

Published: 18 March, 2015

Roger Jones takes us around the wine world on his Prowien 2015 journey of discovery, where he explores some new and interesting wines.

Miles Beale: whatever the result thank you for supporting Drop the Duty campaign

Published: 13 March, 2015

In the final countdown to next week's Budget, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association thanks Harpers readers for their support in rallying to the 'Drop the Duty!' cause.

Justin Keay is impressed by what Portugal has to offer

Published: 12 March, 2015

To say Portuguese wine has come a long way is a bit like saying Roger Federer is quite good at tennis.

How to drive a wine brand in the UK on-trade by Wine Business Solutions

Published: 27 February, 2015

Peter McAtamney, principal at research body, Wine Business Solutions, gives his personal assessment on how best to drive and build a wine brand in the UK on-trade with a particular nod to Kleine Zalze, which has been named number one South African brand in its latest 2014 Wine On-Premise report,and Matthew Clark which is reaping the rewards of an astute wine listing strategy

Australia needs a strategy that speaks for all its wine industry says Wine Business Solutions

Published: 24 February, 2015

The quickest way for the Australian wine industry to achieve the effective and lasting changes it seeks is to implement a strategy that does not just speak for the big corporations, but works for all levels, according to leading research body Wine Business Solutions.

How video will be the norm in wine marketing within three years says Matthew Dickinson

Published: 23 February, 2015

Following last week's web video masterclass and seminar hosted by Google and YouTube for members of the UK wine trade and students from Burgundy's School of Wine Business, wine consultant Matthew Dickinson gives his personal summary and looks at how video is going to change the way the wine industry communicates.

Dominic Roskrow on the wonderful world of weird and wacky whiskies

Published: 20 February, 2015

New whisky distilleries are popping up all over the world and they're all competing to make a name for themselves. But some, says Dominic Roskrow, are turning to increasingly bizarre production methods in an attempt to be different

What we can all learn from the failure of Vinopolis

Published: 16 February, 2015

Is it really 16 years since Vinopolis opened its doors to the public? I can clearly remember the hoopla and sense of anticipation that accompanied the launch of London's self-styled "premier wine-tasting experience and visitor attraction".

Why a cut in duty is fair to consumers and business says SWA's David Frost

Published: 10 February, 2015

In my time as a diplomat, I spent a lot of time promoting Scotch whisky overseas. When I first got to know the industry, I found it very surprising to learn Scotch Whisky was Britain's biggest food and drink sector and indeed represented nearly a quarter of all Britain's food and drink exports.

Guy Woodward: Why the UK trade needs to turn its back on overpriced Bordeaux

Published: 06 February, 2015

I saw a headline the other day that grabbed my attention. "Hopes rise for Bordeaux prices in 2015". Ah, I thought, that's good - they're coming down at last.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Guy Woodward

Published: 23 December, 2014

Harpers columnist Guy Woodward is the latest in our line-up of key industry figures to share their thoughts on 2014 and their predictions for 2015 with you.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: Daniel Murphy of Murphy Wine Company

Published: 19 December, 2014

In the first of our annual reviews of the year for the festive period, we ask Daniel Murphy, founder of bulk wine broker Murphy Wine Company, to look back on 2014 and assess what he sees as the big challenges for the sector in to 2015. In a nutshell he believes few in the trade have really grasped the impact of a sea change in world wine production, nor of the potential for bulk wine in the UK.