National Champagne Week a welcome boost for struggling category

The UK has been popping bubbly this week for National Champagne Week - a much needed boost for the category which has seen a slow down in growth over the past year.

Santa Rita launches autumn promo campaign with Ireland's RTÉ

Chilean wine company Santa Rita Estates has unveiled their autumn 2016 promotional campaign for their brands in the Republic of Ireland which will see them once again team up with Irish national TV broadcaster RTÉ.

The South American adventure of a Morrisons wine buyer

Andrew Ingham, wine buyer at Morrisons Plc, recounts a recent buying trip to Chile and Argentina. 

Guy Woodward: Seven things I hate about the wine trade

M Restaurants: Creating a community of investors

M Restaurants set Twitter alight yesterday as its crowd funding campaign to raise funds for a new Twickenham restaurant took off on social media.

The art of on tap in casual dining

The casual dining scene is a growing sector, with plenty of opportunities for the trade to capitalise on a consumer thirst for innovative dining concepts at affordable prices.

WSTA Part 2: How technology and innovation may shape the future

Besides helping brands reach a boarder base of consumers and create a dialogue with them, social media is also helping to drive what many on the panel at September's WSTA conference see as the way forward for brands - collaboration.

Family of Twelve pays tribute to "visionary" chairman

A fraternity of twelve of New Zealand's top wineries has said farewell to its first chairman.

Matthew Clark aims for "storytelling" with portfolio expansion

Leading drinks distributor Matthew Clark has bolstered its premium wine portfolio by taking on a number of producers from 10 different countries, all of which aim to tell a "story" to consumers.

WSTA Part 1: How technology and innovation may shape the future

Innovation and technology, as we all know, has drastically changed business, primarily changing the ways we connect with our consumers and understand their needs. The pressure has never been higher on business leaders to innovate continuously and to do so quickly.

Tim Atkin MW: What will happen to brand Brangelina?

You can always rely on the wine trade to show a sense of perspective. As Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie prepare to eviscerate one another in the divorce courts, no doubt damaging the lives of their six children in the process, the question on everyone's lips is: what's going to happen to Château Miraval?

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Q&A: Armelle Cruse, the vice president of Crus Bourgeois du Medoc

At a tasting of the 2014 Official Selection of Crus Bourgeois du Medoc, Justin Keay spoke with Armelle Cruse, the vice president of Crus Bourgeois du Medoc about the organisation's ambitious new classification plans.

Chapel Down H1 sales grow over a quarter to hit £4m

England's leading winery has seen its sales grow by 26% over the past year to over £4 million - growth which company expects to continue.

COPY: The Drinks Wholesaler: A little of what they like

Welcome to our autumn issue of Drinks Wholesaler, which is packed with the usual medley of analysis, insights, viewpoints and features, plus original research into the wine market, commissioned and shared by Crown Cellars, appearing for the first time here. 

Insights: White wine renaissance

Sales of premium whites are on the up, but restaurants still see red when it comes to higher-end sales.

Unprecedented weather has had "major impact" on Champagne economy

Frost, mildew and scalding weather in 2016 has had a "major impact" on Champagne, accounting for as much as 80% crop losses in one area before the harvest even began.

Dirty Dozen tasting attracts the on-trade crowd

The Dirty Dozen tasting held yesterday in London attracted sommeliers and buyers from across the trade looking for more esoteric and off the beaten track wines.

Aldi launches first English sparkler

In response to increasing consumer demand for home-grown fizz, Aldi is launching its first English sparkling wine.

Wines from Rioja's 10X10 returns for second year

Wines from Rioja is once again preparing to unveil its 10x10 line-up of some of the region's most outstanding wines.