UK’s 50 Best Indies 2019

Welcome to the UK’s 50 Best Indies 2019, celebrating and elevating those at the top of their game

JN Wine snaps up Highbury Vintners

Northern Ireland based JN Wine has acquired independent London merchant Highbury Vintners for an undisclosed sum.

Robert Oatley appoints two new Mudgee winemakers

Robert Oatley Vineyards has confirmed the formal appointment of two new winemakers based at the Mudgee winery in New South Wales, Australia.

WSTA announces full line up for 2019 Industry Summit

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has announced its full line up of experts poised to take the stage at the 2019 Industry Summit.

FMV adds Rhône house Château La Nerthe

Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV) has expanded its French portfolio with Rhône house Château La Nerthe.

Why TWE started over in China

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), the Australian owner of leading brand Penfolds, has shed some light on why it decided to call time on its distributor in China – and why setting up on its own steam has been key to growth in the country.

The Vineyard Hotel introduces wine festival featuring leading suppliers

The Vineyard Hotel in Berkshire has launched a wine festival featuring leading suppliers such as Tattinger, Hallgarten and E&J Gallo.

Roundtable: Pinotage catches up

South Africa has undergone Darwinian-levels of evolution over the past decade. Where the country – and its flagship varietal – goes from here formed the crux of Harpers’ recent roundtable in association with Kumala Wines. Jo Gilbert hosted the debate. 

Soave anticipates reduced but high quality vintage

Soave Consorzio has announed it is expecting to produce a reduced but “pristine harvest of classically balanced top quality wines” on the back of 2019’s long moderate growing season.

Majestic takes inspiration from Netflix and Spotify for new ‘wine fitting’ service

Majestic Wine has introduced a ‘wine fitting’ service aimed at helping wine drinkers who “don’t know their way around a wine list”.

Looking ahead: Doug Wregg, Les Cave de Pyrene

As the first half of 2019 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Atkin warns South Africa cannot continue to be the world’s wine "bargain basement"

Black Chalk secures £1.5m investment for new winery

English wine producer Black Chalk is poised to expand significantly following the business securing investment from two new backers alongside additional investment from the current directors and an EU fund to the combined tune of £1.5m.

North South Wines adds California’s Scheid Family Wines to portfolio

North South Wines has signed a deal to exclusively represent California’s Scheid Family Wines brands across all trade channels in the UK.

Bulk savings

Importing wine into the UK in bulk used to be all about saving money. Now it’s about saving the planet, too, as Simon Jack reports.

Online wine auction first for Brightwells

Brightwells has extended its online timed auctions to cover French wine for the first time.

Harpers 2019 England Wine Stars Awards to be revealed at Wine GB tasting

Winners of the 2019 Harpers England Wine Stars Awards are set to be unveiled at the Wine GB annual trade and press tasting event this Wednesday.

Three new UK MWs announced as part of fresh batch

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has announced eight new Masters of Wine, from five different countries.

Bon Coeur throws down gauntlet to wine enthusiasts

North Yorkshire based Bon Coeur Fine Wines is marking its 25th anniversary with the launch of a new initiative, which will allow “keen novices” to test their skills as part of a unique tasting panel.

WSET research throws damning light on UK wine knowledge

The term ‘corked’ refers to broken pieces of cork in a wine bottle and ‘terroir’ is a genre of French horror film, according to many consumers in our great wine-drinking nation.