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Jerry Lockspeiser: The dangers of ‘drink washing’ in a declining market

Published:  27 January, 2022

I wonder if you embraced dry January this year. Apparently quite a few of us went ‘semi-dry,’ which sounds as contradictory as being a little bit pregnant. I always thought such things were all or nothing. Apparently it refers to consciously controlling alcohol consumption by drinking on fewer days, or drinking less when we do, or turning to No and Lo products instead of the full fat options. A booze equivalent of the ‘flexitarian’ approach to food perhaps.

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London Wine Fair brands ProWein move ‘aggressive’

Published:  20 January, 2022

The London Wine Fair (LWF) organisers have called the new direct clash between their event and a rescheduled ProWein a ‘direct attack’ on the UK’s biggest wine trade show event.

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Upbeat mood at Vindependents tasting

Published:  18 January, 2022

Signs that life is returning to something closer to normal, at least for the UK’s independent merchants, were borne out in London yesterday (17 January) at a well-attended Vindependents tasting in Camden.

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Indies: Fighting fit?

Published:  17 January, 2022

Adaptability has been key for indies that have sought not just to survive, but to thrive, as Angela Mount reports.

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London Wine Fair to embrace hybrid model in 2022

Published:  13 January, 2022

The organisers of London Wine Fair (LWF) have confirmed that the landmark event will adopt a new format this year.

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Chile tasting postponed as other physical January trade events hang in the balance

Published:  05 January, 2022

Wines of Chile has postponed its 13 January showcase tasting in London, with several other organisers of tastings this month also understood to be considering whether to still go ahead.

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Bouncing Back Q&A: Ben Knollys, MD, Hatch Mansfield

Published:  16 December, 2021

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Ben Knollys takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

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Wine vision

Published:  15 December, 2021

James Lawrence reports on the main findings from the ninth annual Sopexa Wine Trade Monitor survey.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: Is it time to kill wine’s sacred cows?

Published:  01 December, 2021

It really is hard to know what to believe these days. The digital world enables instant sharing of information across the globe, which seems good and democratic. Just about anyone can participate. But with it comes lower reliability and veracity of what is being communicated, making it easier to seed fake gospels claiming that two plus two equals five, or seven, or even nine. Perhaps what really matters is the extent to which people make decisions and take actions as a result.

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What is the cost of blockchain?

Published:  21 October, 2021

The WSTA summit highlighted how the potential for blockchain and other digital supply chain technologies are quickly taking off at pace for wine. But given its energy-guzzling reputation, is this solution sustainable? Jo Gilbert reports.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: Sean Lock, wine and the value of originality

Published:  26 August, 2021

Comedian Sean Lock passed away on 16 August. Many knew him from TV, radio and his live one man shows. 8 out of 10 cats on Channel 4 was probably his biggest audience. Sean’s sparkling eyes, dead pan delivery and absurdist wit made him a true original.

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Jeroboams reveals new on-trade hires

Published:  01 July, 2021

Jeroboams Group has expanded its wholesale arm [Jeroboams Trade] with two new hires as part of its strategy to build this side of the business.

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Harpers to host webinar on the potential of organic

Published:  22 June, 2021

A line-up of top buyers in the wine market will be attending a free-to-attend webinar looking at how to unlock the full potential of organic sales.

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Adam Smith Institute calls out ‘Alice in Wonderland’ thinking on VI-1s

Published:  26 May, 2021

The Adam Smith Institute has added its voice to calls on government to reduce post-Brexit red tape for the wine trade, including scrapping the much derided and wholly unnecessary VI-1 forms.

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LWF: Digital efficiencies helping with the big three – content flow, stock flow, cash flow

Published:  20 May, 2021

A mental shift around harnessing digital capabilities and automation this year has moved businesses towards stock management systems that free up time and capital to focus on sharing information and storytelling with customers.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: Why claiming wine is good for health is bad for business

Published:  19 May, 2021

The wine trade can be a wonderful place to work. Yes, we have had our share of stresses and strains since Covid used its airmiles. True, people running wine businesses can spend more time with PnL spreadsheets and cashflow projections than they do with the latest vintage from Chateau Marvellous. But overall, the balance sheet for working with wine is very strong.

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Harpers 50 Best Indies 2021 – nominations invited

Published:  23 April, 2021

We are once again launching our annual 50 Best Indies Awards, to acknowledge the best in the business of indie drinks retailing.

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Steven Spurrier passes away

Published:  09 March, 2021

Steven Spurrier, one of the most widely respected and liked people in the wine trade, has passed away.

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Trade calls Victoria Prentis out over VI-1 statement

Published:  25 February, 2021

An infuriated wine trade has today delivered an ‘unprecedented’ collective letter to Victoria Prentis MP, calling for the scrapping of VI-1 forms when the easement provision ends on 1 July.

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Jerry Lockspeiser: Britain 2021 – Fear or opportunity?

Published:  17 December, 2020

As we come to the end of this extraordinary year and look towards the future, are we filled with feelings of fear or opportunity, or a strange mix of both?

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