Enjoying the great outdoors

With some restrictions easing but others still in place, drinks companies are capitalising on practical solutions to outdoor drinking, as Lisa Riley reports.

Q&A: Randall Grahm, Popelouchum

The original freewheeling California innovator talks to Andrew Catchpole about his new venture and an endless quest for terroir

Armit adds Provence producer Domaine des Mapliers

Armit Wines has added Provence producer Domaine Mapliers to its rapidly expanding wine portfolio.

Freixenet hits £100m milestone

Freixenet has hit £100m in RSV (retail sales value), doubling its brand value in a couple of years.

Omar Allibhoy to deliver flavour of Spain for Barón de Ley

Spanish chef Omar Allibhoy has teamed up with Kingsland Drinks to “bring the essence of Spain” to the UK in a new campaign supporting Barón de Ley.

Late but quality harvest helps SA producers with oversupply

Vinpro has declared the 2021 vintage one of "consistent high quality” in what was overall a cooler season.

Wine industry receives ‘positive support’ from Prentis

The English and Welsh wine industry gained "positive support" from the agriculture minister, Victoria Prentis, in a meeting between Wine GB and DEFRA officials, the industry’s body has said. 

Hallgarten appoints second Head Start apprentice

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has appointed its second Head Start Apprentice – Alex Parsons.

Sizing up Spain

Despite the twin pressures of Covid and Brexit, Spain’s wines have managed to stay in relatively good shape thanks to an uplift in off-trade sales. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Entries now open for Harpers Design Awards 2021

Harpers is delighted to announce that our Design Awards 2021 is now open for entries from all areas of the drinks industry.

Harpers Wine Stars 2022 now open for entries

Harpers Wine Stars 2022 is welcoming entries for this year’s competition.

Long Read: A new script for wine writing

The Zoom option meant this year’s Symposium for Professional Wine Writers organised by Meadowood in Napa, California, attracted its largest number of attendees: 303. Typically about 24 have attended in person since the symposium launched in 2004.

First digital LWF "exceeds expectations" though numbers fall

Atkin awards first South American perfect score to wine from “best ever” Argentina vintage

Harpers columnist and UK wine writer Tim Atkin MW has given his seal of approval to the 2019 Argentinian vintage, which he says is “the best I’ve tasted” from the country.

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

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.

Wine on the rise with younger consumers as on-trade returns

Younger consumers plan to spend more than before as they return to pubs and restaurants, and spend a larger slice of that money on wine.

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

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.

LWF: Time to bottle it on glass?

As carbon emissions and the broader topic of sustainability climb back up the agenda, one of the more forward-looking sessions at London Wine Fair (LWF) 2021 cut to the heart of the issue.

LWF: Wine yet to see accelerated demand for no/low

Wine has yet to see an accelerated demand for the no/low alcohol space unlike spirts and beer, which have both gathered pace in recent years.

James Davis MW joins Henkell Freixenet

James Davis MW will be joining the Henkell Freixenet team in a newly created role from the first week of July.