Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Jascots expands ‘natural’ menu with Languedoc producer

Published: 06 September, 2018

Jascots has expanded its ‘natural’ wine portfolio with the addition of Languedoc producer Mas des Caprices.

China to open its doors with new import expo

Published: 06 September, 2018

An international trade show backed by the Chinese government, which will focus on imported products, is poised to make its debut next month in Shanghai as the country prepares to “actively open its doors to the world”.

Chapel Down signs lease for new site to become ‘largest vineyard’ in England

Published: 06 September, 2018

Chapel Down has today exchanged on an agreement to lease 388 acres of viticultural land – a move it claims will make it the biggest vineyard in England.

The rise of "source anywhere" wines

Published: 06 September, 2018

With the spiral of financial pressures currently bearing down on the trade, it’s no surprise that some companies are becoming more creative when it comes to sourcing grapes.

Tim Atkin MW: Critical times for Argentina

Published: 06 September, 2018

Every year at the end of my tour of Argentina, I sit down with Dr Nicolas Catena of Bodega Catena Zapata. He wants to talk about wine – new bodegas and regions, the latest vintage – while I want to talk about economics, his speciality. Before he became one of the leading figures in the Argentinian wine industry, Catena was a top academic and is still enormously perceptive.

Hype over biodynamics reaching ludicrous levels, says viticulturist

Published: 06 September, 2018

The furore surrounding organic and biodynamic viticulture has reached “ludicrous levels,” according to leading consultant Dr Richard Smart.

UK one of the most “mature” markets for alcohol online, despite accounting for less than 10% of sales

Published: 05 September, 2018

The UK is at the forefront of selling wine online thanks to well-established specialist wine retailers such as Majestic and The Wine Society, new research has revealed.

As prominent restaurant chains continue to hit the wall, Andrew Catchpole looks at the impact on smaller operators

Published: 05 September, 2018

With the upmarket, wine-focused Argentinian Gaucho Group and its offshoot Cau under administration, and the on-trade landscape littered with recent casualties including Prezzo, Carluccio’s, Jamie’s Italian and Byron Burger (to name just a few), it’s looking tough out there in the restaurant world.

Harpers columnist Woodward wins International Wine Columnist award

Published: 05 September, 2018

Harpers columnist Guy Woodward was awarded the International Wine Columnist gong at the prestigious Louis Roederer International Wine Awards last night.

Harpers Wine Stars goes live online

Published: 04 September, 2018

Our brand new website for Harpers Wine Stars has launched, making it easier than ever to be in with a chance of grabbing one of our fantastic buyer-focused awards.

La Junta of Castile and León gears up for first Duero International Wine Fest

Published: 04 September, 2018

La Junta of Castile and León – the governing body of Castile and León, is gearing up for the launch of a new international event aimed at highlighting the potential of the different terroirs and ecosystems of the Ribera de Duero DO.

Enotria turns focus on Chile with VSPT partnership

Published: 04 September, 2018

Enotria & Coe has joined forces with Viña San Pedro Tarapaca Wine Group (VSPT) to push the Chilean wine category in the UK.

Green logistics

Published: 03 September, 2018

As Kermit the Frog famously noted in song, it’s not easy being green. For the wine trade the sentiment translates into the problem of how to be environmentally friendly in a business that involves moving vast quantities of product around the globe. In the UK off-trade, where the New World has the upper hand, for example, around 60% of all the wine consumed comes from the deep-sea shipping sources of Australia, the US, Chile, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand.

The Wine Society appoints new CEO

Published: 03 September, 2018

The Wine Society has appointed current Clarks chief commercial officer Steve Finlan as its new CEO.

Lidl consultants look ahead to the retailer's Autumn Wine Tour

Published: 03 September, 2018

Lidl has introduced its Autumn Wine Tour selection, with the focus firmly on France. The ‘Wine Tour’ comprises 25 wines, all French, which will be available for two months in all of Lidl’s 710 stores, from September 28. In addition to their core range of 100 wines, the group bring in six ‘wine tours’ per year, each comprising 25 wines.