Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

France Report: Premium prospects

Published: 28 June, 2023

Heather Dougherty looks at how far the idea of premium Languedoc has come in recent years, while taking a bird’s eye view of its biggest winners.

Rounding up Roussillon

Published: 30 November, 2022

Andrew Catchpole looks into the innovation and excitement being generated by France’s compact Catalan wine region.

When it comes to battling climate change, working closely with the vineyard is a given. Yet, as time goes on – and the climate becomes more unpredictable – the role of technology is growing in tandem with approaches that seek to have minimal interference with the land; and where that interference is necessary, using data to carry out the best possible response.

Early harvest in Roussillon after July heatwave

Published: 30 August, 2022

Roussillon is the latest French wine-growing region to announce an early 2022 harvest due to soaring temperatures.

Producer Q&A: Charles Perez, Mas Bécha

Published: 21 June, 2022

Charles Perez of Mas Bécha is passionate about his local Roussillon climate and soils, but talks up the human touch in the trilogy that constitutes terroir. Andrew Catchpole tunes in among his vines

Nominations close as Top 25 Sommelier shortlist preparations begin

Published: 26 May, 2022

With the on-trade bouncing back there’s little doubt about the enthusiasm for and calibre of the UK’s sommelier fraternity if the ample nominations for Harpers Top 25 Sommeliers are anything to go by.

Wines of Roussillon launches three-year promotional campaign

Published: 08 February, 2022

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) has unveiled a new three year generic campaign, designed to raise the profile of the region in the UK, supporting the commercial efforts of its wine producers and importers.

Discovering the charms of Roussillon

Published: 06 October, 2021

As the home of France’s fortified sweet wines, with a dazzling array of soils and microclimates forming a vinous bridge between France and Spain, the Roussillon deserves to be recognised as a distinct region with its own unique identify. Jo Gilbert discovers a region ready to stand on its own two feet. In partnership with Wines of Roussillon.

Enotria refreshes France ahead of tasting return

Published: 26 August, 2021

Enotria & Coe has taken on two new, yet very different, additions to its France portfolio.

Domaine Lafage unveils sparkling rosé fermented with beer yeast

Published: 09 June, 2021

Roussillon producer Domaine Lafage has launched a sparkling rosé in the UK, marking the first such wine to emerge from the French region, according to the producer.

Sud de France UK Top 100 Awards set for 2021 return

Published: 25 March, 2021

The ninth edition of the Sud de France Top 100 competition is set to proceed this year in media partnership with Harpers, after a pause in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Headline Heroes: Languedoc

Published: 09 October, 2020

As the world’s biggest wine-producing region, the Languedoc offers the diversity typical of a whole country, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

FMV loses two more from portfolio

Published: 02 September, 2020

Champagne Jacquesson and Roussillon vineyard Le Soula are the latest producers to move its UK distribution from Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV), the wholesale arm of Berry Bros & Rudd.

LWF: Domaine Paul Mas launches ambitious estate wines

Published: 25 May, 2018

Domaine Paul Mas is to launch three new estate wines from Languedoc and Roussillon this September, to be pitched to the market at around £50 RRP.

Jean-Claude Mas continues quest for Languedoc domination

Published: 08 December, 2017

Since founding Domaine Paul Mas in 2000, Jean-Claude Mas has been building up a wine empire across the Languedoc Roussillon. Harpers caught up with the Paul Mas proprietor and pioneer behind some the Languedoc’s biggest exports to discuss how the newest portfolio addition continues his quest to own estates “in all the great areas" of this versatile region