Incubating innovation and changing with the times

Innovation is not something that happens in a vacuum. It is as much a result of having people who are comfortable challenging convention as it is a having companies that foster an environment which allow for ideas - no matter how crazy - to be captured and tested.

WSTA speaks out on how to tackle Brexit

In a stark contrast to last year's theme of celebrating success, last month's WSTA conference unsurprisingly took on a somewhat different tone.

Andrew Catchpole: Talking about a innovation revolution

Disruption is the new norm - and the experiential its freewheeling partner - as the fast-paced evolution of communications and other technologies continues to reshape how we interact with the world.

Awatere Valley winemakers challenging the Sauvignon status quo

New Zealand is well known for its crisp and fruity Sauvignon Blancs, but winemakers from Marlborough's Awatere Valley are ripping up the rulebook by incorporating new techniques.

Leading Italian online wine retailer launches first international branch in the UK

A consumer website selling the "largest selection of Italian wines in Europe" has launched its first international base 50km north of London.

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.