Looking ahead: Troy Christensen, Enotria & Coe

As the first half of 2018 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Vintners Company £8,000 bursary for Geoffrey Roberts Award open for submissions

Entries are open for the £8,000 biennial Geoffrey Roberts Award, which recognises and rewards an individual that has furthered the cause for New World or emerging region wines.

Sign up for SITT - the only trade tastings tailored purely for independent merchants

As the autumn buying window fast approaches Harpers is once again running it’s popular independent merchant-focused Specialist Importers Trade Tastings (SITT) in London and Leeds this September, and we look forward to welcoming all indie buyers at these events.

Global wine market grows value sales against static volume

Great night for Liberty Wines and English fizz at IWC 2018 Awards ceremony

As the wine trade gathered at London’s Grosvenor Park Hotel last night for the annual International Wine Challenge Awards dinner the stream of medals came thick and fast with some notable wins this year.

Majestic declares itself fighting fit for tough market ahead

Majestic Wine’s full year results to 2 April 2018 reported group sales up 2.3%, driven by underlying sales growth of 11% at Naked Wines, in line with the company’s forecasts.

Harpers at LWF: English Fizz, Driving NPD and The Future of the Agency Model

Harpers will be again be taking the stage at this year’s reinvigorated London Wine Fair with a mix of briefings and tasting, tying in with exciting new features including the Innovation Zone and Drinks Britannia, where the results of our English Wine Stars Awards will be revealed.

Harpers Wine Stars Awards 2018: South Africa and New Zealand

Two quite different countries, with quite different strengths and selling points featured in our latest Wine Stars judging session at The Worx in London’s leafy Parsons Green.

Premium agenda at Sicilia en Primeur as bottled exports hit new high

Bottlings of Sicilian wine rose 123% in the first quarter of 2018 (vs Q1 2017), reflected in both an ongoing trend to more premium exports and a reduction in bulk sales following the short 2017 harvest.

Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2018 open for entries

The international Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2018 has thrown down the gauntlet to UK somms, inviting entries for this year’s competition to be held on 9 April at 67 Pall Mall.

Keeping the list keen

We asked leading indie merchants how they approach buying and what they will be hunting out for 2018. Philip Amps, Greg Sherwood MW and Henry Butler explain the method (and occassional madness) in planning for the year ahead:

SITT masterclasses to deliver business focussed insights for indie and on-trade buyers

Spring SITT Manchster and London 2018 tastings on 26 and 28 February are to host a series of business-led masterclasses ranging from northern drinking trends to buying clever by way of collaboration.

Final call for indies to submit wines for Everyday Bordeaux Selection 2018

The CIVB has issued a call out to all UK indie merchants to enter their favourite Bordeaux wines for judging in the annual Everyday Bordeaux Selection competition.

SITT Manchester and London shine spotlight on Grenache, Hungary and Chile

With the SITT Manchester and London tastings just over a week away, we can bring you a taster of some of the great masterclasses and hosts lined up for visitors on the day.

Think Rum, Talk Rum

The opening panel at Harpers’ annual Think Rum event delved deep into the premium possibilities to grow the category. Andrew Catchpole reports

Think Gin to return with great line up on 30 April at London’s Smith & Wollensky

Think Gin is back, bigger and better than ever, with a fantastic line up of debates and masterclasses, presented by some of the most gin-savvy experts in the trade.

Liberty buoyant but cautions market will remain tough in 2018

A slowing economy, with falling on-trade sales, smaller lists and people drinking less is the predicted outlook for 2018, according to Liberty Wines managing director David Gleave MW.

UK consumer spend to hold steady in 2018

Research reveals that despite economic uncertainty two-thirds of UK consumers will continue to spend the same amount when it comes to nights out in 2018.

Looking ahead: Gavin Quinney, owner and winemaker, Chateau Bauduc

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

Looking ahead: David Gleave MW, managing director, Liberty 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.