Category Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Skirting a possible Scotch loch

Published: 15 November, 2024

With demand for higher-end whisky flat or declining in mature markets, producers should be looking to foster new demand. Tom Bruce-Gardyne reports.

Headline Heroes: Champagne’s sustainability revolution

Published: 13 November, 2024

Maison Perrier-Jouët is among key Champagne houses committed to introducing practices that will help meet climate objectives. James Lawrence reports.

Multiples: Staying ahead of the curve

Published: 07 November, 2024

James Bayley takes a look through Waitrose’s ambitious autumn drinks portfolio and finds sustainability front of mind.

Analysis: Trade expresses disappointment over Budget

Published: 04 November, 2024

Failure to tackle some of their most pressing concerns have left trade bodies and operators frustrated. James Bayley rounds up their thoughts.

On-trade: All points east for natural wines

Published: 01 November, 2024

James Bayley investigates the natural wine bars of east London to find they embrace informality and welcome all.

Indies: Venturing into the unknown

Published: 30 October, 2024

Jo Gilbert catches up with some of the UK’s most innovative indie merchants to identify the best up-and-coming regions – and the potential hurdles along the road.

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.

Low & no: The twist to modern drinking

Published: 09 September, 2024

Ten years on from the founding of both Club Soda and Seedlip, Jo Gilbert takes the temperature of the game-changing low & no category.

On-trade: Roadmap for London hospitality

Published: 02 September, 2024

A recent ‘state of play’ forum with the London mayor’s office opened the floor to the hospitality sector, giving business owners the opportunity to voice their best and worst-case scenarios when it comes to city-wide reform. Jo Gilbert reports.

Indies: The generation game

Published: 30 August, 2024

With a generational fall-off hitting the trade, Andrew Catchpole looks at what steps indie merchants are taking to pull in younger punters.

Succession: Passing the baton

Published: 20 August, 2024

Andrew Catchpole catches up with families managing a transition between first and second generations.

Design & Packaging: All change on alt

Published: 16 August, 2024

With eco-concerns and economic pressures pointing the way to alternative packaging, we look at which formats are making the most headway. Jo Gilbert reports.

Indies: Buying independence

Published: 02 August, 2024

James Lawrence looks to the evolving role of indie buying groups in response to recent trends.

UK spirits decline, premium segments resilient

Published: 23 July, 2024

James Lawrence looks at the trends shaping and driving premium sales

France Report: The Champagne bubble

Published: 26 June, 2024

David Kermode charts a bumpy ride for France’s favourite fizz.

Sustainability Report: Back to basics

Published: 03 June, 2024

With the number of schemes related to sustainable production many and varied, are we confusing consumers? James Lawrence reports.

Indies: What ‘value’ truly means

Published: 01 May, 2024

Jo Gilbert canvassed independent traders to find out how they are looking to stay relevant and competitive during this era of expensive living.

Round Table: Fermenting Furmint

Published: 22 April, 2024

Hungary’s Furmint has been making waves for both the quality and individuality of the wines, with this spring’s Furmint & Friends tasting at London’s Painters’ Hall featuring the most comprehensive spotlight yet on this grape. Harpers partnered with Wines of Hungary UK to convene a round table to analyse the positioning and potential of this exciting volcanic soil-grown variety, with regional expert Caroline Gilby MW giving an introductory overview. Panellists were also offered a taster of some exemplary styles to frame their discussion.