Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Michael Jordaan to be new chairman of Wines of South Africa

Published: 09 May, 2014

Wines of South Africa has appointed Michael Jordaan, former chief executive of the country's First National Bank, as its new chairman.

South Africa's grape harvest is down 2.6% on 2013 bumper crop

Published: 08 May, 2014

South Africa is on course for an average sized, good quality harvest despite heavy rains, says the body representing 3,600 of the country's producers.

Bulk wine driven by price not green issues

Published: 24 April, 2014

Wine buyers who justify bulk shipping by citing the green argument are simply 'ticking boxes' when price is driving sales, say industry experts.

South Africa's 2014 wine harvest set for 'mild decline'

Published: 23 April, 2014

South Africa's harvest is set for a "mild decline" in 2014, as the picking season draws to an end.

International Brands in £750k marketing push

Published: 16 April, 2014

International Brands is investing £750,000 into marketing in 2014, with a push on South African wine Makulu and its Broadleaf range.

Chile and South Africa wine exports surge

Published: 16 April, 2014

Chile and South Africa saw the volume of their wine exports surge ahead last year, while Australia and Argentina faced more challenges, according to Rabobank's latest report.

Bulk wine grows to 50% of New World exports

Published: 15 April, 2014

The international wine trade hit a "watershed moment" in 2013, with half of all New World wine sales coming from bulk supplies, according to Rabobank.

Accolade Wine's Kumala in Mandela film tie-in

Published: 14 April, 2014

Accolade Wine's Kumala has tied in with the DVD release of Nelson Mandela film Long Walk to Freedom for a major consumer campaign.

Morgenrot launches bee-saving wine at M&B

Published: 03 April, 2014

Manchester-based importer Morgenrot has teamed up with Mitchells & Butlers to launch Planetbee, a South African Chenin Blanc, which is donating money from each sale to safeguard the bee population.

Beautiful South Tasting scaled back

Published: 02 April, 2014

The Beautiful South Tasting, organised by the generic bodies representing South Africa, Chile and Argentina, is to scale back its 2014 event.

NZ wineries import Sauvignon Blanc to cope with demand

Published: 26 March, 2014

Shortages of New Zealand's signature grape have led to imports of Sauvignon Blanc from Chile and South Africa to satisfy demand.

South African brands must invest more to bolster premium wines, says WOSA chief

Published: 25 March, 2014

In order to boost growth of South Africa's more premium wines, producers and brands need to be prepared to invest, says WoSA chief.

Kleine Zalze to launch wine range to celebrate its new Fairtrade status

Published: 14 March, 2014

Kleine Zalze, the South African producer, has been accredited with Fairtrade status for its wine production.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 14 March, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Q&A with Origin Wine founder Bernard Fontannaz, who talks quality control and looking outside South Africa

Published: 13 March, 2014

Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wine on quality control, expanding its portfolio to include Old World wines and Fairtrade.

Bernard Fontannaz slams wine critics who claim Fairtrade wines should "overdeliver"

Published: 12 March, 2014

Fairtrade wine pioneer Bernard Fontannaz has called for a level playing field for Fairtrade wines, after criticism that the wines should "overdeliver" on quality.

Up to 40 wineries look to be granted the new Cape Vintner Classification in South Africa

Published: 11 March, 2014

Between 30 and 40 South African wineries are expected to be granted the prestigious new Cape Vintner Classification, launched last December, after the disbandment of the old Cape Wine Producers' Association.

Q&A with Edward Robinson, Fairtrade wine buyer at the Co-operative

Published: 11 March, 2014

Edward Robinson talks about the commercial success of Fairtrade wines at the Co-operative, how the Fairtrade mark works and highlights the group's biggest project in Argentina.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 07 March, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

In the spotlight: Fairtrade issues in South Africa

Published: 05 March, 2014

South Africa's agricultural sector came under fire in the past few years over infringing the human rights of farm workers, some of whom helped build the country's wine trade. Erin Smith takes a look at two initiatives aimed at combating such problems, namely the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Agreement and Fairtrade.