Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

South Africa makes U-turn and bans wine exports

Published: 17 April, 2020

The South African government has banned exports of wine and spirits during lockdown.

Q&A: Etienne Debanné, president, & Gabriel Rivero, winemaker, IXSIR

Published: 16 April, 2020

Swapping lunch in London for a live link to Lebanon, Andrew Catchpole catches up with a rising Middle Eastern star.

Cape open for business with wine export go-ahead during SA lockdown

Published: 08 April, 2020

South Africa’s wine industry breathed a collective sigh of relief yesterday as permission was granted for wine to be included in allowable fresh produce products for export.

Argentina report: Country on the rise

Published: 18 March, 2020

In the first of our series on Argentina, James Lawrence reports (pre-coronavirus) on how the 2016 election has helped introduce the country to a new era of wine exports and global trade.

California export drive

Published: 16 March, 2020

Andrew Catchpole reports on the inaugural California Export conference, which drew together a host of wine experts from around the world to explore the opportunities for the Golden State.

Austria wine exports hit record high

Published: 13 March, 2020

Austria’s wine industry posted record export growth figures in 2019 by both value and volume.

Washington State reaffirms commitment to UK

Published: 11 March, 2020

Despite a wave of cancelled trade events elsewhere, Washington State went ahead with its London tasting yesterday, with the message that the UK remains at the heart of its export focus.

Austria: The view beyond Grüner growth

Published: 02 March, 2020

Austrian producers are looking to reds and rare varieties to emulate the ‘golden period’ built on the success of its flagship grape, as Lisa Riley discovers.

EU producers must support UK to deliver best Brexit outcome

Published: 14 February, 2020

European wine producers should join their UK counterparts in lobbying their own MPs and the EU to deliver the most favourable post-Brexit trading environment.

NZ tasting: alternative styles playing expanding role in export growth

Published: 16 January, 2020

Rosé, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are among a slew of ‘alternative’ varieties and styles notching up a greater share of New Zealand’s collective wine exports, as “international appetite grows to expand the range”.

West Coast oversupply delivers softer prices as consumer demand falls

Published: 15 January, 2020

Prices for both bulk and grape from California and Washington will continue to ‘drop noticeably’, leading to widespread discounting, according to the annual State of the Wine Industry 2020 Report from Silicon Valley Bank.

CIVP announces multi-million action plan

Published: 13 December, 2019

Provence wine marketing council CIVP has approved a multi-million action plan involving over 15 markets.

Bourgogne Week to swing focus onto Régionale value from ‘dream’ vintage

Published: 06 December, 2019

The annual Bourgogne Week in London, running from 7-16 January, will see producers and negociants emphasising the value of Régionale AOC wines off the back of the generally acclaimed and big volume 2018 vintage.

Prosecco and Asti spearhead new EU-backed promotion of GI-designated quality produce

Published: 22 November, 2019

The heartland DOCGs of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Asti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano have joined with producers from Provolone Valdpadana PDO, Mozzarella TSG and Olio Extravergine d’Oliva Toscana PGI for the launch of Enjoy European Quality Foods (EEQF).

Championing Chile

Published: 25 September, 2019

There have been plenty of emerging highlights, but Chile stills needs to push its premium offerings says Andrew Catchpole.

Sicily channels tourism to boost recognition of diverse DOCs

Published: 13 May, 2019

The 90 Sicilian producers belonging to trade association Assovini are seeking to build upon the ground laid out by the broad Sicilia DOC with greater focus on the 24 DOC that make up the vinous mosaic of Italy’s most extensively planted wine region.

Prowein: Record Champagne turnover, but UK and France still in decline

Published: 18 March, 2019

Total turnover for Champagne reached a new high of €4.9 billion in 2018, up 0.3% on 2017, although volumes fell by 0.8% to 301.9 million bottles.

UK tops value increase for German wine exports

Published: 12 March, 2019

Quality Riesling appears to be on a roll, with the average price paid for exported German wine breaking records in 2018, while UK consumer thirst drove the biggest value increase of any export territory, according to German Wine Institute (DWI) figures.