Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Top wine consultant and professor Denis Dubourdieu dies aged 67

Published: 27 July, 2016

Top claret from Bordeaux may have always cast a shadow over local white wines, but that was until the work of Denis Dubourdieu.

French wine production expected to drop 8% for 2016 due to poor spring weather

Published: 25 July, 2016

French wine production is expected to decline 8% for the 2016 harvest following the damaging hailstorms and spring frost which hit several different areas across the country according to the French Minister of Agriculture Stéphane Le Foll.

Inter-Beaujolais appoints new leaders for two year term

Published: 21 July, 2016

Inter-Beaujolais has appointed two new leaders as part of a two year rotation to lead the producer association.

Cocktail craze in the UK still has room to grow

Published: 14 July, 2016

New research released from CGA Strategy's International Cocktail Report, Great Britain's cocktail consumption has evolved, but there are still opportunities that may be available if trends in the US are anything to go by.

Côtes du Rhône to launch free art pop-up called The Rhône Touch

Published: 13 July, 2016

Côtes du Rhône will be launching a pop-up in collaboration with the London College of Communication (LCC) and chef Adam Rawson for an interactive art exhibition called The Rhône Touch.

Analysis: Wines from the south of France's dramatic evolution

Published: 11 July, 2016

The revolution in Languedoc-Roussillon winemaking is one of the most dramatic in France's wine industry in recent times.

Liv-ex: En Primeur 2015 sales less than 25% of 2009 levels

Published: 11 July, 2016

In a final report on En Primeur 2015 from fine wine trading platform Liv-ex, the company predicts that the prices seen in 2009 and 2010 are now a thing of the past.

Muscadet Revolution: New Rules, New Grapes

Published: 04 July, 2016

The rules of Muscadet's three generic appellations have been torn up: under new locally approved plans, Colombard, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Gris grape varieties will now be permitted to make up to 20% of blends of entry-level Muscadet wines.

French rosé forerunner expands UK range

Published: 29 June, 2016

Vranken Pommery Monopole group, known in the UK for Grande Marque Champagne brands such as Pommery, is extending its rosé offering from estates in both Provence and the Camargue.

Saint- Émilion Grand Crus 2015 vintage helps to boost interest in the region

Published: 16 June, 2016

At yesterday's Association de Grand Crus Classés de Saint-Emilion held in London, the 2015 vintages drew a crowd, further demonstrating the relatively small appellation can compete with many of its larger neighbouring appellations.

Label launched for Londoners who "can't tell their chardonnay from their sangiovese"

Published: 16 June, 2016

A forward-thinking wine label has been launched to dispel the "myth" that those who don't know about wine can't have good taste.

Champagne de Castelnau undergoes image revamp

Published: 10 June, 2016

Champagne de Castelnau is heading in a new ultra modern direction for its centenary with the launch of its first prestige cuvée.

Rémy Cointreau annual net profits up following foreign exchange boost

Published: 09 June, 2016

Improved Cognac sales and a big boost from a favourable foreign exchange helped to drive profits for Rémy Cointreau, which saw annual 2016 net profits soar 10.6%, beating expectations for the business.

Loire Valley's frost loss estimates hit an average of 30%

Published: 08 June, 2016

Following a meeting last month, Loire Valley vineyard owners and producers came together to asses the damage of frost that hit several wine producing regions across France in late April and estimate that 20- 30% of the harvest may be lost.

Nicolas Feuillatte launches contemporary communication strategy

Published: 08 June, 2016

A major marketing shake up was unveiled at Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte's 40^th anniversary bash in Paris on 7 June

Burgundy negociants plan Pinot Noir takeover with Languedoc winery

Published: 06 June, 2016

Badet Clement, the winemakers behind Les Jamelles, have unveiled a multimillion-euro winery in the Languedoc - part of a strategy to improve the quality of the region by importing Burgundy "philosophy".

Sulphur debate boils over

Published: 03 June, 2016

With the emergence of a counterculture in wine styles, the President of the OIV, the International Vine and Wine Organisation, has issued a controversial warning over the push to reduce sulphur (SO2) levels in wine.