Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Jerry Lockspeiser: Does anyone believe responsibility calls from the drinks trade?

Published: 03 June, 2025

I recently took part in a discussion panel at the London Wine Fair. The topic was how the drinks trade could put moderation and balance back at the centre of the debate about booze. The urgency of the question is underlined by the growing strength of ideologically driven temperance organisations, along with stark warnings from health bodies, including the World Health Organisation.

Soapbox: Answering the anti-alcohol lobby

Published: 09 May, 2024

Andrew Catchpole argues that the trade needs to take a firmer stance against the growing anti-alcohol lobby.

Tim Atkin MW: Is wine heading for an iceberg?

Published: 05 April, 2024

Prompted by a brilliant series on The Rest Is History podcast, I’ve been reading Richard Davenport-Hines’ Titanic Lives. It’s a fascinating tale of class, wealth, emigration and, of course, hubris. “The boat is unsinkable,” declared Philip Franklin, vice-president of White Star Line, the ill-fated ship’s owner, on the very night of the tragedy.