Master sommeliers Gerard Basset and Kathrine Larsen flag French wine potential in on-trade

Top sommeliers Gerard Basset and Kathrine Larsen say the on-trade needs to trust staff, not be afraid to have a French wine as the house offering, and tell compelling stories in order to boost sales in the category. 

Vin de France has driven 'important growth' for French wine

The creation of the Vin de France category has driven "important growth" in French wine exports as well as acceptance among younger consumers, Harpers France Summit heard.

Harpers French Wine Awards celebrate champions in the UK trade

The second annual Harpers French wine awards were held at the conclusion of yesterday's France Summit 2014 in London and recognised those people and business which are championing French wines in the UK trade.

France's "biggest opportunity" in wine is online, say experts

France is in "pole position" in the online wine market - which represents the country's biggest opportunity going forward.

Leading lights of UK wine trade gather for today's Harpers France Summit

Leading figures from all channels of the wine trade will be today taking part in the second Harpers France Summit to look at ways in which retailers, restaurants, distributors and importers can make the most of French wine in the UK.

Bordeaux to launch first global marketing campaign to address falling sales

The Conseil Interprofessionel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) is launching its first global marketing campaign to help counter falls in sales by both volume and value. Its seven priority markets - China, USA, UK, Japan, Germany,  Belgium and France - will soon be flooded with new atmospheric images drawn up by leading British advertising agency, Isobel.

Bulk wine market sluggish as 2014 harvest ends, says Ciatti

As the 2014 harvest draws to a close, the bulk wine market remains sluggish, with plentiful stocks available in most markets, says the latest report from Ciatti. 

Tim North, Les Grands Chais de France: why the country is a treasure trove for wine

Tim North, UK manager for Les Grands Chais de France, on how he believes France can show the rest of the world it can still excite and surprise consumers with its amazing diversity of wines

Analysis: how effective has the Crus Bourgeois classification been?

Last week the Alliance des Crus Bourgeois arrived in London for the fifth annual review of the wines deemed worthy to use the Cru Bourgeois seal of approval. Five years into the new incarnation of the classification Heather Dougherty reviews its successes and challenges - and looks at its prospects for the future.

Pays d'Oc IGP names Fiona Taylor UK ambassador for 2014

Christopher Piper Wines' Fiona Taylor has been named Pays d'Oc IGP ambassador of the year for the UK market.

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 done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

UK wine buyers warn Burgundy will struggle to regain market share as exports plummet

Top UK wine buyers warn Burgundy will struggle to regain shelf space as figures reveal exports to the UK have halved in 2014, following last year's short harvest. 

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 done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Shortlist for Harpers French Wine Awards announced

The shortlist for the 2014 Harpers French Wine Awards are released today with the likes of Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, The Sampler, Daniel Lambert, Tim Atkin MW and Gerrard Basset MW MS fighting it out for the main awards.

Northcote retains title of Sud de France Sommelier of the Year

Tamus Czinki, head sommelier of Michelin-starred restaurant, Northcote near Blackburn, Lancashire, has been named Sud de France Sommelier of the Year for 2014.

Today's SITT London tasting offers masterclasses on Italy and the Rhône

Wine importer Red Squirrel sees wholesale business grow fivefold in three months

Chiswick wine importer Red Squirrel Wine has seen its wholesale business take off after it beefed up its portfolio and revamped its logo and website.

French bulk market 'tense' in face of Languedoc shortages

The French bulk wine market is starting to look "very tense", according to one top broker, following major shortages in the Languedoc region.

Cru Bourgeois selects 267 chateaux from 2012 vintage

The Alliance des Crus Bourgeois du Médoc has chosen 267 chateaux to represent the region's best wines from the 2012 vintage - bringing numbers to their highest level in the five years since the selection was relaunched.

After two difficult harvests, Loire Valley is optimistic as 2014 vintage starts

Despite a cool August, September's warm weather could not come at a better time for producers in the Loire Valley, where there is a feeling of optimism and relief as the harvest gets underway.