Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Justin Keay discovers some unknown suprises at last month's Go West tasting

Published: 14 April, 2015

Justin Keay weighs in on last month's Go West tasting and overwhelmingly urges the trade to 'Go West, young man!"

Artisan wine fair RAW announces new Berlin venue, as international visitor numbers grow

Published: 14 April, 2015

The artisan wine fair, RAW is launching a new fair in Berlin later this year, to cater for an increasingly international clientele.

California imposes first mandatory water reductions as drought persists

Published: 02 April, 2015

California is imposing mandatory water restrictions on residents and business requiring they reduce water usage by 25%, in response to the severe drought that has been affecting the state.

Country analysis: Californian wines hit the jackpot in the UK

Published: 08 March, 2015

It seems California wines have struck gold in the UK in recent years, as the value of US wine exports has exponentially grown within the global wine market, despite volumes staying relatively stable, writes Erin Smith

Record breaking auction was only one highlight of Napa's "Premiere Week"

Published: 27 February, 2015

Last week's Premiere Napa Valley barrel tasting and live auction, held at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Saint Helena, set the stage for bidding on a unique and highly-selective range of the appellation's finest wines resulting in a new record of $6 million USD in fundraising for local charities.

E&J Gallo to psychoanalyse tweets of Apothic Red drinkers

Published: 19 February, 2015

E&J Gallo is ramping up its marketing activity for its Apothic Red wine brand by aiming to psychoanalyse consumers on social media after seeing UK sales double in 2014.

Sales up 5% at Spanish wine giant Bodegas Torres

Published: 16 February, 2015

Spanish wine giant Bodegas Torres, which also produces wines in Chile and California, has seen its sales grow 5% to €240 million in 2014.

California's 2014 grape crush shows 'healthy decline' but won't stop bulk prices sliding

Published: 11 February, 2015

California's grape crush for 2014 hit 3.91 million tonnes, showing a "healthy decline" of 340,000 tonnes on the previous year, however the "ample inventories" of 2012 and 2013 means finding buyers for wine will be a challenge.

California's bumper 2014 harvest means overstock on bulk wine, broker warns

Published: 09 February, 2015

California produced a "shed-load" of wine - 4 million tonnes - in the chronic drought conditions of 2014, which will lead to an inventory surplus, a top bulk broker has warned.

2014 Review and Hopes and Fears for 2015: John McLaren

Published: 30 December, 2014

John McLaren, UK director of the Wine Institute of California, on how the UK has changed to become a fresh land of opportunity for Californian producers, how it's in a 'holding pattern' with grocers, and why he 'may scream' if he's told to 'engage with consumers' again.

Seckford Agencies toasts sales growth

Published: 12 September, 2014

Seckford Agencies has seen sales grow by 10 to 15% in the past year, says director David Cartwright.

Sangre de Toro wine gets design revamp for 60th birthday

Published: 10 September, 2014

Bodegas Torres has relaunched its famed Sangre de Toro brand with a sleeker design that harks back to the wine's 1950s origins.

Napa Valley wineries move focus from earthquake to harvest

Published: 08 September, 2014

California's Napa Valley wineries, a number of whom suffered significant damage in the recent 6.1 earthquake, have already harvested most of their Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Hess Family moves Napa and Barossa wines from Hallgarten to Liberty

Published: 08 September, 2014

Hess Family Wine Estates has switched distribution of its Napa and Barossa wines from Hallgarten Druitt to Liberty Wines in the UK.

Napa wineries can learn lessons from Chile following earthquake

Published: 29 August, 2014

Napa wineries should take stock of damage following last week's 6.1 earthquake and consider upgrading facilities, as Chilean winemakers did following its 2010 tremblor.

Napa Valley wine community moves forward despite persisting tremors

Published: 28 August, 2014

The Napa Valley was shaken by three back-to-back aftershocks on Tuesday, as wineries, local businesses, and residents began to rebuild following the larger quake that struck on Saturday.

Napa earthquake not expected to affect overall wine stocks

Published: 26 August, 2014

Last week's earthquake in Napa is not expected to impact the region's overall wine stocks, despite a number of wineries in the region suffering large scale damage.

Napa's Hess Collection's James Caudill on quake damage at winery

Published: 26 August, 2014

James Caudill, director of PR and hospitality at Napa's The Hess Collection group of wineries, on the damage the group sustained following the 6.0 earthquake.

Pinot Grigio stocks tighten further, says Murphy Wine Company

Published: 11 August, 2014

Murphy Wine Company's latest price list, dated July 30, 2014, shows further tightening of Pinot Grigio stocks globally as Californian producers say their crop could be down by around one third.

California's wine industry prepares for 'lighter' crop

Published: 11 August, 2014

California is preparing itself for a smaller harvest than 2013 - which was a bumper crop at 4 million tonnes - with some varieties looking to be down by around one third.