Guy Woodward: Hawking luxury during a pandemic

Around the world, many governments have excelled in recent months, quickly imposing rigorous, e ective measures, and pu ing to one side economic and ideological concerns for the greater good. Others, by contrast, have focused on massaging the facts to suit their narrative and clinging to a preconceived agenda in the face of a gathering storm.

Bordeaux 2018 EP report & Gavin Quinney's Top 100

Gavin Quinney delivers his annual insights and scores (see below) on the Bordeaux 2018 vintage for a year he describes as “extraordinary”.

En primeur report: extraordinary and exceptional 2018 vintage

Gavin Quinney’s annual en primeur and vintage report for Harpers describes 2018 as “an exceptional vintage”, with the top red wines showing “extraordinary depth, opulence and intensity”.

That was the year that was

As we eagerly await the Christmas trading results, Lisa Riley looks back at 2018 and the ups and downs across the drinks categories

Looking ahead: Henry Boyes, Mitchells and Butlers

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

Here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

The Harpers team would like to wish all in the trade a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as we dive headlong into the seasonal festivities and look ahead to the challenges and opportunities that 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Nik Darlington, Red Squirrel Wine

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.

Fine wine more stable than gold as Burgundy drives record high for investment market

Burgundy thrived, Bordeaux consolidated and wine investment proved more stable than gold, according to the Liv-ex annual summary of the 2018 market, described as “a record breaking year”.

Harpers Design Awards 2018: The winners

Good design may only sell the one, first bottle if the liquid inside is discovered to be below par. But present the most sublime booze in a mediocre or off-putting package and the painstaking craft of the distiller or winemaker is likely to be left collecting dust.

Asia drives strong Q1 growth at Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard’s first quarter figures revealed strong growth underpinned by China and India the Asian markets.

Douro harvest delivers quality on back of “absurdly low” yields

Following a year of challenging weather extremes, the Douro’s 2018 harvest has given up some “excellent Ports and Douro wines” according to Symington Family Estate’s annual harvest report.

The week that was

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinions and features.

Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective launch lays down gauntlet to UK and US buyers

Be prepared to pay more or risk losing top Stellenbosch Cabernets to the Asian market was one of the messages to UK and US buyers at the launch of the Stellenbosch Cabernet Collective at Cape Wine 2018.

Looking ahead: Joseph Walsh, commercial director, Distell

As we head towards the second half of 2018, Harpers asks key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, on-going trends and opportunities.

Germany sees earliest grape harvests on record

Germany has seen its earliest grape harvests on record this year due to warm weather and early flowering.

Early Champagne harvest for promising vintage

Comité Champagne has revealed that the champagne harvest for 2018 is to start today (21 August) following an exceptional wine growing year and good weather.

Harpers launches new Think Whisky event

Harpers and sister title Drinks Retailing News are joining forces to add a new event to the popular ‘Think’ spirits series.

Looking ahead: Michael Patterson, senior category manager, food and beverage, GLH Hotels

Looking ahead: Richard Cochrane, Félix Solís UK

Looking ahead: Ted Sandbach, managing director, Oxford Wine Company

How has the first half of 2018 been compared to 2017?