New Horizons Q&A: Michelle Brampton, Treasury Wine Estates

Harpers 48h blackout: We’re still here

In a very 2020 twist to the New Year, Harpers was welcomed into January with multiple power blackouts which cut all access to our email server.

New Horizons Q&A: Nick Devlin, Naked Wines

With an end game in sight with the vaccine in 2021, we speak to members of the trade about their forecasts and plans for the year ahead.

That’s it for 2020: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Harpers

As we teeter on the edge of 2021, a new year and a fresh shot at health and prosperity for the drinks trade, Harpers would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas break in whatever form that takes this year.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Britain 2021 – Fear or opportunity?

As we come to the end of this extraordinary year and look towards the future, are we filled with feelings of fear or opportunity, or a strange mix of both?

New Horizons Q&A: Pierre Mansour, The Wine Society

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties playing out an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses to discover their predictions for the new year.

‘Nouvelle generation’ to drive Beaujolais export potential

With good recent vintages to its name and wines that sit squarely with the modern trend towards fresher, lighter styles, Beaujolais certainly appears to be well placed to capture the attention of a new generation of drinkers. Add in ‘ownership’ of Gamay, a distinctive and easy-to-like variety, and the region also offers a sense of discovery (or re-discovery for older drinkers) in a world awash with international grapes.

WSTA membership climbs as it releases Brexit checklist

A record number of wine and spirit businesses have joined the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this year following a recruitment drive bolstered by concerns over Covid and Brexit.

Cautious optimism returns for hospitality’s businesses prospects

A new survey has revealed a rise in optimism among hospitality operators for the future of their business over the next 12 months, albeit from a very low threshhold – but representing a substantial increase from the third quarter of the year.

New Horizons Q&A: John Colley, Majestic Wine

The year 2020 will surely go down in history as an annus horribilis. With an end game to the coronavirus in sight however – and a vaccine looming on the 2021 horizon – Harpers is choosing to take the optimistic view that things can only get better from here. 

New UK immigration system goes live

The UK’s new points-based post-Brexit immigration system is now operational.

Trade reels from Welsh trading restrictions

The drinks trade has reacted angrily to the Welsh government’s new restrictions on pubs and restaurants, announced yesterday.

Ex-PLB directors launch new business

Two former directors of PLB have teamed up again to launch a new wine export agency.

Oz wines hit with huge Chinese import taxes

China has imposed taxes of up to 212% on imports of Australian wine.

New Zealand wine exports reach NZ$2 billion

International demand for New Zealand wine has surged over the past decade, with total export value now reaching a record-breaking NZ$2 billion in 2020.

Mixed news for hospitality in new English tier system

The 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants is to be lifted when England comes out of lockdown on 2 December, the prime minister is expected to announce today.

France and the US top Robert Parker’s inaugural Top 100 Wine Discoveries List

France and the US cap off a new list of wines from Robert Parker Wine Advocate, which aims to identify the next big icon wines and trends from around the globe.

Bordeaux Uncovered online tastings announced

Bordeaux Uncovered, the trade training programme run by L’Ecole du Vin de Bordeaux, will be running a series of online tastings this year.

Trade slams new lockdown ban on takeaway drink sales

In a new blow for England’s on-trade, the government has banned the sale of takeaway alcohol for the duration of the second national lockdown, which begins at midnight on Wednesday 4 November.

South Yorkshire follows Manchester into Tier 3

South Yorkshire has officially joined Manchester in the highest bracket of Covid measures, meaning bars and restaurants not serving seated meals will close.