Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Kopke and Casa Burmester latest to declare 2017 a vintage year

Published: 20 June, 2019

Kopke and Casa Burmester are the latest Port houses to declare 2017 as a vintage of outstanding quality.

Domaines Auriol launches rare organic wines

Published: 20 June, 2019

Organic champion Domaines Auriol has released two organic wines from rare grape varieties.

Mentzendorff get on their bikes to raise cash for The Benevolent

Published: 19 June, 2019

Members of team Mentzendorff will cycle the four-day ‘Giro di Toscana’ to raise money for The Benevolent on 24 June.

The Alchemist eyes global expansion

Published: 18 June, 2019

The Alchemist has said it expects to hit sales of £50m at the end of its financial year and plans to invest in further expansion in the UK and abroad.

The Barossa Cellar set to open in July

Published: 18 June, 2019

The Barossa Grape and Wine Association will move into The Barossa Cellar building in South Australia at the end of July.

Q&A: Kim Wilson and Joy Edmondson, North South Wines

Published: 18 June, 2019

Innovative, agile and on-trend, North South Wines is shaking up the traditional importer model. Andrew Catchpole meets its founders

Trade bids fond farewell to Gerard Basset

Published: 17 June, 2019

Winchester Cathedral provided a fitting setting on Friday for the memorial service of Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MBA, MSc (OIV), as members of the wine and hospitality worlds turned out in force to commemorate the remarkable life of a much loved and admired man.

Can premium Prosecco put the sparkle back into sales?

Published: 17 June, 2019

Sandro Bottega, owner and managing director of Bottega Spa, has refuted suggestions the UK has reached ‘peak Prosecco’ and insisted a “new era of Prosecco premiumisation” is on the way.

Vallegarcía obtains own PDO

Published: 14 June, 2019

Vallegarcía has obtained its own Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) has announced.

New Zealand declares ‘small but stunning’ vintage

Published: 14 June, 2019

New Zealand Winegrowers has declared the 2019 vintage as ‘small but stunning’.

Drinkaware bolsters senior team with new duo

Published: 13 June, 2019

Alcohol education charity Drinkaware has bolstered its senior team with two new hires.

Lebanon: Return to roots

Published: 13 June, 2019

Perched on the eastern end of the Mediterranean, yet with vineyards at altitudes of 1,000m and above, Lebanon offers a promising mix of conditions for the production of great wines. Of course, the first wave of Lebanese wines to make their mark internationally were largely blends based on Bordeaux varieties, with some notable successes, gaining a niche but loyal following. However, in tune with the country’s location and viticultural history, a second wave of indigenous and Mediterranean varieties are now emerging as winemakers realise the potential for varieties that carry more of an indigenous signature.

Harpers’ Industry Briefing: Upping the stakes

Published: 13 June, 2019

At Harpers’ Industry Briefing at London Wine Fair, Andrew Catchpole invited leading trade figures to assess how best to build value and margin back into the wine category. Here are the highlights from a sometimes impassioned and insightful dicussion.

Harpers and California Wines to host ‘transatlantic conversation’ on sustainability

Published: 12 June, 2019

Harpers is partnering with California Wine Institute to run a sustainability-focused event at London’s Design Museum on 11 July, bringing together West Coast and UK views and insights into one of the most prominent topics of the day.

Imports down in China but drinkers trade up

Published: 11 June, 2019

The volume of wine imported by China has fallen for the first time since 2014, according to the latest Wine Intelligence report.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene bans glyphosate in its vineyards

Published: 11 June, 2019

The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has forbidden the use of glyphosate in its vineyards.

Guy Woodward: Why low and no wine has a problem

Published: 11 June, 2019

Guy Woodward

Plumpton reveals Dr Greg Dunn to take over when Chris Foss retires

Published: 07 June, 2019

Plumpton College has announced that Dr Greg Dunn, currently programme manager for its MSc in Viticulture & Oenologye, will take over as curriculum manager for the wine division when Chris Foss retires later this month.

Tim Atkin MW: Why wines from Tenerife are special

Published: 06 June, 2019

“You’re joking,” said María Hontoria, the oenologist from the governing Cabildo de Tenerife. “I thought everyone from the UK had been here.” Her surprise was justified. Nearly six million tourists visit each year and more than a third are Brits. Tenerife is package-tour central, served by dozens of airlines bringing holidaymakers to resorts such as Playa de los Américas, but it’s also much more: a beautiful island with an intriguing history, stunning landscapes and some of Spain’s most exciting wines.

In store rationalisation means consumers are seeking out diversity online

Published: 06 June, 2019

Wine is the most frequently purchased alcoholic beverage online, it has been revealed, as consumers increasingly turn to the web to seek out the product diversity that’s been lost from the high street.