Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Buyer’s spotlight: China

Published: 27 August, 2025

They may not be especially pocket friendly, but good Chinese wines certainly live up to their pricing. Jason Millar is a convert.

The native Italian varieties sparking global interest

Published: 25 August, 2025

When Bettino Ricasoli discovered in the 1840s that Sangiovese could form the basis of ageworthy Chianti, it might have surprised him to learn that the real breakthrough for Tuscan wine internationally would come thanks to a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Buyer’s Spotlight: Bordeaux 2024

Published: 15 July, 2025

Imagine an annual sales campaign that generates excitement, shifts substantial stock and delivers cash benefits for both buyers and sellers, all while reinforcing brand positioning in a competitive market. Sounds good, right? Now imagine the opposite scenario: your annual push, instead of creating buzz, engenders negativity, damages your brand and disincentivises purchases, as new inventory gathers dust in a warehouse. That is the position Bordeaux finds itself in after a drab and misjudged 2024 en primeur campaign. The weather, scores and pricing have been well covered. The question now is: why are merchants still making the effort to sell the wines?

Buyer’s Spotlight: The Battles to Come

Published: 18 February, 2025

Jason Millar on why the trade needs to get behind the WSTA-led wine duty campaign.

Buyer’s Spotlight: Brunello Di Montalcino 2020

Published: 21 January, 2025

Jason Millar encounters an unexpectedly approachable vintage he predicts will gain popularity particularly with younger audiences.

Buyer’s Spotlight: New perspectives on Rioja

Published: 19 December, 2024

Jason Millar gets a new take on how the region can balance out its affordable offerings with more premium expressions.

Producer Q&A: Cyril Brun, Ferrari Trento

Published: 22 October, 2024

Jason Millar catches up with native Champenois winemaker Cyril Brun to assess his impact on the sparkling wines of Trentodoc’s market-leading Ferrari Trento.

Buyer’s Spotlight: Beyond Barolo

Published: 19 September, 2024

Jason Millar tastes his way through the varieties of Barolo to find great strength in the obscure.

Buyer’s Spotlight: Fine rosé

Published: 16 July, 2024

Jason Millar gets serious about the upper end of a popular category.

Buyer’s Spotlight: The field blend

Published: 20 June, 2024

Jason Millar flags the joy of the unknown in a post-varietal world.

Buyer’s Spotlight with Jason Millar: Cirò

Published: 21 May, 2024

Jason Millar focuses on the Calabrian DOC, highlighting the recent Cirò Revolution tasting in London.

Buyer’s Spotlight with Jason Millar: Bolgheri beyond Sassicaia and Ornellaia

Published: 19 March, 2024

Jason Millar takes stock of Bolgheri, which offers so much more than its starriest names.

Buyer’s Spotlight with Jason Millar: Burgundy 2022

Published: 15 February, 2024

Dipping into the Burgundy tasting season, Jason Millar says there is value to be found.

Buyer’s Spotlight with Jason Millar: Campania

Published: 23 January, 2024

Jason Millar makes the case for an under-represented Italian region, the wines of which he says rival those of Sicily.

Millar moves on from Theatre of Wine

Published: 28 September, 2023

Jason Millar has relinquished his role as company director at Theatre of Wine, which he had held since 2018.

Indies: Weighing up the options

Published: 24 February, 2023

With merchants facing unprecedented upward price pressures, Andrew Catchpole assesses what can be done.

Theatre of Wine celebrates hitting 20

Published: 28 September, 2022

London’s Theatre of Wine has turned 20, marking two decades since founder Daniel Illsley founded the merchant in Greenwich following the new wave of wine interest created by Oddbins and Majestic.

Harnessing Pays d’Oc IGP

Published: 22 March, 2022

Inviting a panel to taste and talk, Andrew Catchpole prompted a far-reaching exploration of the potential for southern France’s most versatile designation, in partnership with Pays d’Oc IGP.