Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cork’s march to ascendancy

Published: 25 February, 2021

Having removed much of the taint of TCA to cork’s reputation, the classic stopper continues to establish itself as a benchmark of quality, as James Lawrence reports.

Wine GB gears up for first wine tourism conference

Published: 24 February, 2021

Wine GB is gearing up to stage its wine tourism conference next week, the first event from the trade body to focus solely on this part of the UK wine industry.

Atkin Rioja Report awards first-ever 100 point score to a white

Published: 15 February, 2021

Tim Atkin MW has revealed a perfect score for a wine for Rioja for the first time – and it’s a white.

New Zealand just shy of organics target, but growth continues

Published: 11 February, 2021

New Zealand has just missed its self-imposed 2020 organics target, though a groundswell of producers switching up their practices means the country could be on track to reach the milestone within the next couple of years.

Calls for UK trade to help crippled SA by freeing up tank space

Published: 25 January, 2021

Richard Bampfield MW has issued a call to the UK trade to support the beleaguered South African wine industry as producers continue to suffer crippling government restriction and oversupply issues.

Broadland brings Clem Yates MW on board as consultant winemaker

Published: 12 January, 2021

Broadland Drinks has brought winemaker and sourcing consultant Clem Yates MW on board as a consultant winemaker.

Tim Atkin MW: Adapting to survive

Published: 08 December, 2020

The numbers are terrifying. With the imminent closure of 124 Debenhams stores and the loss of 12,000 jobs, the high street has arguably suffered its highest-profile casualty since Woolworths back in 2009. Stir in the 13,000 Arcadia employees who are likely to swell the unemployment statistics before long – and the probable disappearance of Sir Philip Green’s Topshop, Burton and Dorothy Perkins brands – and we are contemplating a toxic brew.

Drinks Trust unveils new mentoring scheme

Published: 02 December, 2020

The Drinks Trust has today unveiled its The Drinks Community Mentoring Programme, a key part of its recently announced The Drinks Community initiative.

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

Published: 18 November, 2020

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.

Occitanie raises profile with online films

Published: 03 November, 2020

The Occitanie region of France is about to be much better known in the UK.

Diversity talk urges wine industry to own up to its privilege

Published: 22 October, 2020

Wine education to diploma level costs upwards of £10,000 – a number which has been used to highlight the issues involved in making the wine industry a more diverse and inclusive place.

South Africa looks to higher ground

Published: 22 October, 2020

Hard hit by the pandemic, South Africa’s winemakers are proving their resilience and fighting back with an eye on higher quality and pricing. By Andrew Catchpole

Wine GB launches industry hallmark for classic method wines

Published: 15 October, 2020

Wine GB has announced its first ever collective campaign for producers in England and Wales, including a hallmark to help to differentiate English and Welsh PDO sparkling wines made using the “time and craft-intensive classic method”.

Tim Atkin MW: A year that changed wine

Published: 13 October, 2020

‘Never A Dull Moment’ is the title of a wonderful book about what its author, David Hepworth, calls “rock’s golden year”. 1971 was indeed an annus mirabilis for music, witnessing the release of landmark albums by David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Yes, The Who and Rod Stewart. For Hepworth, 31 December 1970 marked the end of the Sixties – 12 months late, in one sense – and the start of something very different. It was a turning pint, a line in the sand.

Liberty Wines apprentice scheme opens

Published: 16 September, 2020

Applications are now open for the apprentice scheme run by London-based importer and wholesaler Liberty Wines.

Harpers and Argento put the spotlight on organic

Published: 14 September, 2020

Join us this week for Harpers’ latest online session where we will be delving into organic winemaking over two insight-filled sessions.

Online wine platform launches with 50% discount to BAME students

Published: 10 September, 2020

A global online wine education platform using a new approach to tasting wine, and offering a 50% sponsorship to all BAME students, has been launched by Nick Jackson MW.

Wine GB 2020 awards announced

Published: 08 September, 2020

Hattingley Valley Wines has won the Supreme Champion trophy for its King’s Cuvée 2014 at the 2020 Wine GB Awards, which were revealed in a virtual ceremony today.

Janjo and Jancis shine light on BAME talent

Published: 01 September, 2020

Jancis Robinson OBE MW has partnered with Mags Janjo of MJ Wine Cellars to launch a website shining a light on wine talent in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities (BAME).

Berkmann winds up successful Help 4 Hospitality scheme

Published: 11 August, 2020

Berkmann Wine Cellars has called time on its Help 4 Hospitality lockdown initiative, which has raised some £75,000 to help businesses in the hospitality sector weather the crisis.