Spotlight on 2020: Michael Saunders, Bibendum Wine

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Naked announces Gormley’s retirement and appoints Devlin as its new CEO

Pernod Ricard partnership to bring Baijiu to the international market

Baijiu, China’s most popular and deeply historic spirit, could be making its way to the UK thanks to a new partnership with French giant Pernod Ricard.

Yealands appoints new CEO

Yealands Wine Group has appointed Tiffani Graydon as it new CEO, taking over from Adrian Garforth MW who took up the role of Yealands global brand ambassador & board advisor in July.

McGuigan Wines eyes Tumbarumba expansion as part of its cool climate “plan”

McGuigan Wines has revealed a blueprint to focus on its cool climate messaging in order to continue to transform Australia’s reputation at the premium end from “in your face wines” to wines of “flavour, intensity, structure and length”.

Esporão adds Vinho Verde to its growing roll call

Leading Portuguese producer Herdade do Esporão is adding Vinho Verde to its growing portfolio of regions with the purchase of historic winery Quinta do Ameal.

Cider is Wine alliance gains momentum with new member

Cider is Wine, the new trade alliance that aims to create a “global cider category” made from 100% apples (or pears for perry) has gained a new member.

Looking ahead: Troy Christensen, CEO, Enotria & Coe

Colley set for return to Majestic

John Colley is set to return to Majestic less than three years after he left the business, The Sunday Times has reported.

Looking ahead: Michael Saunders, CEO, Bibendum PLB

As the first half of 2019 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Dip in Aussie imports as Brexit stockpiling comes to an end

Sales of Australian wine in the UK have declined in the past year – partly due to brand-hesitancy surrounding Brexit.

Mentzendorff ride smashes fundraising target for The Benevolent

The Mentzendorff team has once again picked up their bikes and donned their lycra to raise an impressive sum for industry drinks charity, The Benevolent.

Guy Woodward: Why low and no wine has a problem

Guy Woodward

Lafite puts major investment behind state-of-the art tourism hub

Domaines Barons de Rothschild, owner of Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Duhart-Milon, has invested in a major tourism programme in 2019.

Tim Atkin MW: What Rowan Gormley could learn from Tony Laithwaite

Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC

Californian wine under £20 boosts UK sales

US wine exports to the UK have seen a slip in value but a rise in volume, thanks largely to a growth in buyer interest in a previously difficult-to-source section of the market. 

Vinexpo appoints new CEO

Vinexpo has announced that Rodolphe Lameyse will start as Vinexpo chief executive officer on 16 April.

Shift from shop to showroom is vital for the future of retail, says Majestic CEO

The chief executive of the newly rebranded Naked Wines has defended the decision to trim down its 200-store estate while shifting investment focus to the online side of the business.

Sainsbury’s Asda merger “unlikely” to impact consumer choice as supermarkets offer to unload 150 stores

The tie-up between Britain’s second and third largest supermarkets will have no detrimental impact on the diverse and “quick to adapt” supermarket sector, it has been suggested.

IMW appoints new executive director

Rufus Olins has taken the top job at The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW).