Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

European Commission lends weight to minimum pricing opposition

Published: 02 October, 2012

The European Commission has added its weight to the list of countries that have objected to Scotland's plans for minimum unit pricing.

Government's zeal for minimum pricing means 'pause' in industry co-operation, warns WSTA

Published: 27 September, 2012

WSTA chief executive Miles Beale has warned that the government's U-turn on minimum pricing would lead to a "pause" in the industry's co-operation.

Rolling update: Wineries make harvest predictions

Published: 29 August, 2012

As September looms, the wine industry in the northern hemisphere is keeping an anxious eye on its crops, with many having experienced unusual weather conditions earlier this year.

Morrisons adds Caviro wines to range

Published: 28 June, 2012

Morrisons is to take on two new wines from the Italian wine co-operative Caviro - Pinot Grigio Blush delle Venezie IGT and Garganega Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT.

Chianti classico board agrees on major revamp

Published: 11 June, 2012

Chianti Classico is set for a major overhaul which will see the creation of a new icon level of wine above Riserva.

June tasting events

Published: 07 June, 2012

June 12-14

At Your Service blog

Published: 30 May, 2012

Bargain-basement branding and boredom blog by Christopher Piper, chairman of Christopher Piper Wines in Ottery St Mary, Devon.

Michael Stoddart explores the 'economic deception' behind supermarket wines

Published: 21 May, 2012

Vino Ignobile?

Chianti classico could have own 'icon' wine

Published: 18 May, 2012

Chianti classico's governing body is considering proposals to introduce an "icon" top-level wine above riserva.

Leading Italian producer calls for greater professional standards

Published: 20 April, 2012

A leading Italian wine producer says there is too much confusion with labelling, and called for greater professional standards to be introduced, given the industry's rapid expansion.

Argentina grows UK exports

Published: 10 February, 2012

The popularity of Argentinian wines continues to forge ahead, with UK exports for 2011 up 8.4% by value, according to the latest figures from Wines of Argentina.

Torrontés trumps consumer's favourite white wines, says study

Published: 13 October, 2011

Torrontés, the white grape variety unique to Argentina, has trumped consumer's favourite white wines in a study by Wine Intelligence.

Wines in the Press April 19-20

Published: 21 April, 2009

What our national wine critics had to say for the weekend of April 19-20

Wines in the Press, March 7-9

Published: 10 March, 2009

What the national wine critics had to say this weekend, March 7-8

Wines in the Press, February 28-29

Published: 03 March, 2009

This week's reviews of the national wine writers

Wines in the Press, February 28-29

Published: 03 March, 2009

This week's reviews of the national wine writers

Wines in the Press: Cocktail shaking and blog making

Published: 26 August, 2008

Jane MacQuitty has been getting busy with her cocktail shaker, Victoria Moore has been indulging in a spot of wine blogging, and Jonathan Ray has been on a trip to one of Chile's most exciting prospects, the Limarí region. Meanwhile, for those of us still holding out for some late summer sun, Joanna Simon has dug out some perfect picnic picks, whilst Tim Atkin raves about Riesling.

The Sunday Telegraph

Published: 23 July, 2008

Which wines pair well with Italian pasta dishes, asks Susy Atkins this week. Valpolicella, Dolcetto and Barbera are all a "clever choice" for the classic combination of tomato sauce and chorizo, she feels. A chilled Pinot Grigio or Pinot Blanco goes well with creamy fettucine, Atkins adds, but it needn't be expensive, as "no one spends a fortune on a wine to go with an easy pasta supper". Among her wines of the week is the 2007 Gavi, Italy (6.99, Sainsbury's), which is "excellent" with a rich tomato sauce.

The Guardian

Published: 23 July, 2008

Your choice of glassware can enhance your wine selection immeasurably, Victoria Moore explains. And while being pernickety on this point will often mean you attract odd looks it is an important distinction to make, she continues. "Wine tastes better out of glasses that taper slightly at the rim" as "the tapering traps more of the aromas," Moore explains. And what has she being cracking open from the cellar this week? The 2005 Domaine du Colombier Chinon (Sainsbury's, 5.49) is commendable for its "gentle fragrance of red berries" while the 2006 Gavi Cristina Ascheri (Sainsbury's, 9.99) needs "a half-decent glass to reap the full benefit of this streamlined lemon- and grapefruit pith-scented Piedmont white".

The Independent

Published: 23 July, 2008

Like his contemporary at The Observer, Anthony Rose has also picked up on Anpaa's recent legal case - describing France's alcohol policy as a result of the draconian 1991 Evin Law. He continues: "It does seem odd that myopia and sanctimony should coexist in a nation synonymous with the production and consumption of many of the great wines of the world." Not to be discouraged though he selects the 2006 Porta Chardonnay (5.99, Threshers), the 2006 Gavi Cristina Ascheri (9.99, Sainsbury's) and the 2004 Domaine des Bosquets, Gigondas (14.95, Jeroboams).