Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

CTZN wine: Artistry or algorithm?

Published: 22 January, 2025

As Australia’s first AI-curated wine makes its way to the UK, Jo Gilbert asks, is this the future of wine?

Five minutes with Talal Madi, Ixsir

Published: 03 December, 2024

Over a preview of Ixsir’s 2024 vintage, the Lebanese winery’s CEO shares some insights with James Bayley.

Rhône Valley producers optimistic despite 'Homeric vintage' in 2024

Published: 18 November, 2024

As the dust settles on another roller coaster vintage, winemakers across the Rhône Valley are nonetheless confident that their wines will showcase “fruit, tension and balance” - as much for white wines as for reds and rosés.

Armand de Brignac adds first vintage to luxury portfolio

Published: 16 October, 2024

Armand de Brignac Champagne has unveiled its first ever vintage release, a magnum of Blanc de Noirs from 2015 which will sit at the top of the pile as the house’s newest ultra-prestige cuvée.

Champagne: Gold blends

Published: 15 October, 2024

The art of assemblage is being mined for new opportunities by Champagne houses looking to premiumise in a tough trading environment. Jo Gilbert reports.

Five minutes with Luca Marrone

Published: 30 July, 2024

Luca Marrone, chief winemaker for Grattamacco, discusses the journey of Bolgheri Superiore from 1991 to 2021, focusing on its balance of innovation and tradition.

Long Read: Grand Cercle boss on the steps to save Bordeaux

Published: 15 April, 2024

The ‘future’ of Bordeaux was on show in London last week at the Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux, as the region continues to weather the storms of climate change and downward pricing pressures.

Buyer’s Spotlight with Jason Millar: Burgundy 2022

Published: 15 February, 2024

Dipping into the Burgundy tasting season, Jason Millar says there is value to be found.

Symington predicts ‘high quality vintage’ in Douro

Published: 11 September, 2023

With the red grapes still coming in across various estates, leading producer Symington Family Estates is predicting one of the best Douro vintages in recent years.

Friday read: Paolo De Marchi leaves 'happy ghosts' at Isole e Olena

Published: 27 January, 2023

Justin Keay reports on a recent visit to Paolo De Marchi of Isole e Olena winery towards the end of 2022, in what turned out to be an elegiac trip. In 2022, De Marchi completed his last vintage after almost 50 years.

Chablis back on track after a challenging 2021

Published: 19 December, 2022

After a ‘complicated’ year in 2021, Chablis winegrowers are now in the mood to celebrate, with the Chablis Commission declaring an overall healthier and higher-yielding vintage in 2022.

Central Loire harvest delivers volume and ‘fantastic’ quality

Published: 23 November, 2022

Centre-Loire producers are touting the 2022 vintage as “maybe the best in 30 years”, according to Francois Dal of the BIVC’s (Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre) technical arm, SICAVAC.

Nyetimber predicts record-breaking UK sparkling crop in 2022

Published: 26 September, 2022

Sparkling wine brand Nyetimber is poised to harvest a record area of vines – 325 hectares – to produce well over one million bottles of fizz from vintage 2022.

Frost, hail and heat, but Bordeaux predicts ‘quality is there’ in 2022

Published: 06 September, 2022

Having experienced one of its earliest starts to harvest on record, and with climatic extremes to the fore throughout growing season, Bordeaux is predicting a “very promising” vintage, according to Vins de Bordeaux.

Liv-ex predicts ‘off’ vintage for Bordeaux 2021

Published: 21 April, 2022

A wet and cool 2021 is likely to result in “heterogenous vintage” for Bordeaux, with large gaps in quality between appellations and estates predicted to result in significant numbers of “indifferent wines”.

Champagne has cause to celebrate

Published: 21 April, 2022

With sales exceeding all expectations, the drink for good times is back on top form, finds James Bayley.

SA wine grape harvest passes halfway mark; promising wines underway

Published: 29 March, 2022

After a slow start, harvest is well underway as more than half of South Africa’s 2022 wine grape crop has already been taken in at cellars. The crop is still estimated to be smaller than in 2021 but larger than the five-year average.

Santa Rita Estates predicts record production in Molina, Pumanque, and Cauquenes in mid-harvest report

Published: 17 March, 2022

Santa Rita Estates (SRE) has published its mid-harvest report, and it’s good news for Chile, along with Santa Rita and Carmen.

Guy Woodward: The influence of ambience

Published: 08 March, 2022

Guy Woodward

NZ’s finest feels the squeeze

Published: 23 February, 2022

A distinctly herbaceous flavour profile and pro-sustainability winemaking have boosted New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to the status of global phenomenon. Jo Gilbert looks at where the shortages go from here.