Vin & Sprit produces what it claims is the world's third-bestselling premium spirit and the number-one premium vodka. Harpers City columnist Ron Emler talks to V&S chairman and IWSC president Claes Dahlbck
Read more...The recent change on the malt whisky leadership board has raised some interesting questions. Tom Bruce-Gardyne delves a little deeper
Read more...The choice of Matthew Jukes as IWSC Communicator of the Year may raise a few eyebrows among the experts, but as Barbera Scalera reports, his no-nonsense approach and huge media success have helped communicate wine to millions
Read more...Following the decline in demand for Cognac from the early 90's onwards and a difficult decade of cutbacks in production, more positive developments and more successful brands are emerging, along with renewed confidence and ambitious targets. Giles Fallowfield reports.
Read more...Over the past few years there's been a world of change in the corporate wine market. John Stimpfig investigates whether it's all for the better
Read more...The drinks industry - where has it been, who are the top performers and where is it going? Matt Guarente and Rob Griffin ask the Square Mile's top equity analysts to crystallise their thoughts
Read more...Uruguay produces wine on a much smaller scale than its larger neighbours in South America. But as Christian Davis discovers, it is fighting bravely to make itself heard
Read more...The Falklands, football, Evita, tango, gauchos... Everyone knows something about Argentina, but how many people know about its wines? Many more soon will, if Wines of Argentina's latest campaign is successful. Christian Davis reports
Read more...The explosion of the style bar market is turning Brits into a nation of Martini-lovers who can tell their Absolut from their Zubrowka, their Bombay from their Plymouth. And as the drinks companies make long-term investments in training, the cocktail trend looks set to go from strength to strength. Julie Sheppard reports
Read more...Latest industry figures confirm that branded wines are driving major sales growth in the UK off-trade. So, with the Old World preparing to take the New World on at its own game, the branded sector itself looks set for considerable expansion. James Aufenast considers the implications for the market and for the consumer
Read more...The way a bottle is packaged has never been more important, but increasingly discerning consumers are looking for clarity and simplicity rather than gimmicks. Christian Davis talks to some of the UK's top designers to get the latest in bottle ideas and inspirations
Read more...Increased use of screwcap closures has highlighted the problems of reduction in wines. But is reductive winemaking always a bad thing? Jamie Goode explains both sides of this complex topic and argues that more research could paint a different picture of terroir-driven wines
Read more...Vctor Redondo Sierra's vision is to create the first appellation to span two countries, from Spain's DO Ribera del Duero to the DOC Douro in Portugal. Here, the president of ARCO-Bodegas Unidas talks to Joanne Simon about his problems with the DO system and how he plans to turn the company into one of the world's top ten producers
Read more...Apart from the Albarios of Ras Baixas, few wines from Galicia have made any impact on the UK market. Jack Hibberd travels to a verdant corner of Spain to take a look at its most famous export and see what else is on offer
Read more...In the land of the winemaking consultant, Riccardo Cotarella is king. Here, Italy's premier freelance expert talks to Tom Bruce-Gardyne about why his antennae point south, how he would reform Italy's classification system, and the similarities between the American and UK markets
Read more...Few personalities could survive a public removal' from Domaine de la Romane-Conti and bounce back with a biodynamic rival. But then, few French producers are as resolute and philosophical as Lalou Bize-Leroy. Monty Waldin meets the woman conducting the cosmic elements at Domaine Leroy.
Read more...Bordeaux has arrived in the world of brands kicking and screaming. With a greater volume output than Chile, the region certainly has the resources to unleash some major labels, but does it have the infrastructure and the unity of purpose? Bordeaux's key figures talk to Roger Voss about the unique hurdles to be overcome
Read more...The subject of this year's Harpers Debate at the London International Wine & Spirits Fair was, How can the wine trade increase its profitability?' Christian Davis was among the packed audience looking for some answers
Read more...Having jettisoned the arrogance of Apartheid-era South African winemaking, Cape producers have made significant inroads into the lower price points in the UK market. Now, key exporters are targeting the higher price points, with greater emphasis on premium wines. Tim Atkin MW reports on their chances of making the leap
Read more...Although Diageo recorded sales of nearly 6 billion in the six months to Christmas 2002, critics still question the group's ability to expand its business, and many believe its wine portfolio is under-strength. So, are there any more acquisitions in the pipeline? Ron Emler puts the questions to Diageo's chief executive, Paul Walsh, in his first ever interview with a trade magazine. Photography by Ralph Hodgson
Read more...
