News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

THE TANNAT COUNTRY

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

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

SHAKEN AND STIRRED

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

BRAND DESIGNS

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

BETTER BY DESIGN

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

REDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

PLAIN SAILING

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

GREEN SPACE

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

REWRITING THE RULE BOOK

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

BATON CHARGE

Published: 23 July, 2008

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.

EN ROUTE TO BRANDS

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

INCREASING PROFITABILITY

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

TARGET PRACTICE

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

PLAYING TO WIN

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS

Published: 23 July, 2008

The days are getting longer, we have already had some good weather - it's time to break out the T-shirts, scrape down the barbie and stock up with crisp whites, juicy reds, ross and fizz. Christian Davis considers the stocking equations and in-store promotions at the weather-watching retailers

THE BRITISH AISLES

Published: 23 July, 2008

Like much of the fortified wine market, 'British' fortified and made wine is in long-term decline. So, are producers and brand owners preparing to pull out of the category, or are they gearing up to fight back against increasing competition from new drink categories? Jack Hibberd takes a look at the sector

KEEP YOUR GIN UP

Published: 23 July, 2008

Are two gin-themed recent openings in London part of a new willingness to take mother's ruin seriously as a premium spirit? Or is the gin sector still more about commodity than connoisseurship? David Williams reports on the latest gin developments

EVENT HORIZON

Published: 23 July, 2008

As the wine trade's annual get-together settles into the second year at its new home at ExCeL, David Williams talks to organisers Andrew Evans and James Murray of Brintex about what's new for this year, and previews the product launches, events and tastings that will be pulling the punters to Docklands for the 2003 LIWSF

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Published: 23 July, 2008

The English Wine Group plc recently defied lingering scepticism about the future of English wine to raise 500,000 and gain a listing on OFEX, the off exchange' for smaller companies. Christian Davis takes a tour around Kent, Sussex and Surrey to see how the big four producers are aiming to persuade the British to buy English

JACQUES ROLANCY - Interviewed by Joanne Simon

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chef, Windows Restaurant & Bar, London Hilton on Park Lane. Born and trained in France, chef Jacques Rolancy moved to the UK ten years ago to take over the reins at The Windows Restaurant and Bar in London. It has since won numerous awards, including three AA rosettes. Developing his cuisine lgre style of cooking, Rolancy himself has been awarded the prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) award, his country's highest culinary accolade, becoming only the second chef working in the UK (after Michel Roux) to hold the award.