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PRICE FARMERS

Published:  23 July, 2008

Garage wines operate outside the mainstream investment market, and while these small-scale Bordeaux wines have enjoyed huge success in the Far East, they have attracted criticism and suspicion closer to home. So how are they currently performing? Margaret Rand gets the inside track from some of the UK's leading importers

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SYSTEMS MAKING SENSE

Published:  23 July, 2008

The recent recognition of umami as the fifth taste has stimulated further research into the range and sensitivity of the human palate. So how exactly are people's wine tasting capabilities determined by the complex interaction of tongue, nose and brain? Jamie Goode takes a trip through the human tasting zone

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NO GOING BACK

Published:  23 July, 2008

Embroiled in economic turmoil, winemakers in Argentina are dealing with ever-increasing problems of supply, labour, distribution and revenue. So are they choosing to slash their output, prices or marketing budget, or is there a confidence and determination to battle through the crisis? Tim Atkin travels to Argentina to find out

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LET'S PUT ON THE SHOW RIGHT HERE . . . .

Published:  23 July, 2008

The 21st London International Wine & Spirits Fair is almost upon us, and this year it's all change, as the fair heads east to take up residence at ExCeL in London's Docklands. Jack Hibberd looks at the reasons behind the move and its chance of success, while David Williams previews the producers and wines on show

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LIQUID STEEL

Published:  23 July, 2008

From mother's ruin and the stews of Hogarth's London, to Dorothy Parker and style bars, gin has always been a spirit shot through with imagery. But how much substance is there to today's gin market, and are the modern, premium brands outperforming the traditional favourites? Joanne Simon reports

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Enigma variations

Published:  23 July, 2008

The usual perception of John Armit is as a provider of beautiful wines to beautiful people. Yet the reality is somewhat more complex, as Margaret Rand discovers.

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GOING BACK TO THEIR ROOTS

Published:  23 July, 2008

The Bulgarians continue to lose shelf space in the UK and other key markets, as the New World walks off with their entry-point sales. But as David Williams reports, a new mood of realism and pragmatism in the country's wine industry is starting to pay dividends, with the long-neglected vineyards now taking priority

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UPPING THE CHIANTI

Published:  23 July, 2008

In January and February, a series of seminars and tastings was held to promote Italian wines. Neil Beckett reports from Tuscany on the new-found power of the region's big three consorzi.

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SPAIN COMES TO TOWN

Published:  23 July, 2008

The 2002 Spanish Wine Trade Fair takes place next week at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London. John Radford considers the optimism surrounding this year's event, and profiles the wines, regions and bodegas on show

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THE WHEELER DEALERS

Published:  23 July, 2008

Changes in the en primeur market and the increased importance of Internet trading have revolutionised the face of wine broking. So how are traditional merchants and modern dealers adapting, and will private buyers prove a more lucrative market than the trade? Anthony Rose gauges the emphasis of 21st century broking

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PAY UP AND PLAY THE GAME

Published:  23 July, 2008

Sponsorship of prestigious sporting and social events is now a key fixture on the marketing calendar of many major drinks brands. So what advantages does event sponsorship offer over conventional marketing? John Stimpfig investigates

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Shelf analysis

Published:  23 July, 2008

Armagnac and Calvados are holding on to their niches despite very little promotion and the fight for shelf space. Jo Burzynska takes a look at what these brandies have to offer and what is being done to raise their profile in the UK

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MOUSE MASTERS

Published:  23 July, 2008

Internet traders have already run the gamut of business highs and lows in a short lifetime. But as the lightweights exit the fray, the big players are fine-tuning their assault on a market that's proving more durable than many predicted. Tom Cannavan considers the growth prospects of Britain's major wine e-tailers

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THINKING COTES DU RHONE

Published:  23 July, 2008

The Rhne is rare among European regions in that it is keeping pace with the New World. Neil Beckett considers the key changes in promotion and production which have sustained the Rhne's renaissance

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MISTER MAJESTIC

Published:  23 July, 2008

From Iceland through to Friday the 13th and Black Wednesday, Tim How's marriage to Majestic has never been short on incident. So what gives him so much to smile about these days? Margaret Rand digs beneath the softly sunny exterior of Majestic's CEO.

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ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

Published:  23 July, 2008

Argentina has been plunged into financial and political disarray. With its fifth president in six weeks, the country is in dire need of stability and an economic rescue package. Monty Waldin, who was in Buenos Aires as the crisis escalated, reports on the threat to Argentina's wine industry, at home and abroad

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AUSTRALIA DAY TASTINGS

Published:  23 July, 2008

The Australia Day Tastings 2002, in London and Edinburgh, begin next week. Christian Davis previews the names, wineries and wines on show at the London exhibition

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The price is wrong

Published:  23 July, 2008

Last year's hike in the price of Rioja has caused waves of resistance in all markets. Vintage 2000 could be the turning point as Tim Atkin reports

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HOW WAS IT FOR YOU?

Published:  23 July, 2008

In the first of two special seasonal reports, Harpers rounds up the 2001 vintage from across the Northern Hemisphere

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WE HAVE LIFT-OFF

Published:  23 July, 2008

The year 2001 was a bumper one for new drinks products. Targeted wines and brands came in bright colours with bold labels, while women drinkers were a more desirable market than ever. But which newcomers made the biggest impact? James Aufenast and David Williams round up the best product launches of the year

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