THE HEAT IS ON

Is Armagnac making a red-hot impression in the UK, or has the market proved to be fireproof? Jo Burzynska reports on attempts to widen the appeal of Armagnac

SO WHAT'S THE SCORE?

Last month, Harpers invited a host of wine trade luminaries to debate the merits of the 100-point rating system and the role of appellations. Tim Atkin joined the fray over scores and scales, while Neil Beckett observed the appellation spat

TURNED OUT FINE AGAIN

After an extraordinary decade, Cognac is fighting back on several fronts to widen its special niche in the global markets. Pat Straker reports on the vitality and diversity of Cognac in 2001

HEADING UPSTREAM

Earlier this year, Taylor-Fonseca bought Croft and Delaforce Port brands from Diageo. Susy Atkins considers the repercussions of the Douro's biggest acquisition in years

FESTIVE CHEERS

As Christmas draws nigh, with all its attendant parties, Giles Fallowfield looks at the Champagne market in the UK

Harvest Highs

In part one of the Harpers vintage round-up, Jo Burzynska and James Aufenast take a look at the highs and lows of a dramatic year in the northern hemisphere

The young that got away?

The youth market remains a crucial target to drinks companies, but with shifting demographic trends and new advertising curbs, Generation X is in danger of slipping through the net. Jo Burzynska reports on worldwide attempts to bank the post-pubescent dollar

WINKING AMONG THE CHEST HAIRS

De luxe blended whiskies are facing a challenge on three fronts: from malts, standard blends and their own creaking image. Tom Bruce-Gardyne explores the current pecking order in world Scotch styles, and asks whether the de luxe blend is past its prime

UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY

Portugal is bouncing back to form with a bumper 2001 harvest. Richard Mayson appraises the current crop of Portuguese wines, the key factors behind the recent upturn, and the shifting balance of power within the regions

WINES AND MISDEMEANOURS

Counterfeit trading has plagued the wine and spirits industry for decades. Now, increasingly brand-precious wine producers are finally getting to grips with this multi-million dollar rip-off. Maggie Rosen reports on the fight against fakes

IN FROM THE COLD

Ice wine from Canada, the world's largest producer, may now be sold in the EU, where the UK is the number one target. As well as adding to the growing niche market for dessert wines, it provides a good example to the rest of the world of how trade barriers can be overcome. Neil Beckett tells a tale of ice and men

Allan Cheesman: Return of the Native

After a testing year at BRL Hardy, Allan Cheesman is back in charge at his alma mater, Sainsbury's. Margaret Rand talks to the Big Cheese about company structures, conspiracy theories and the future of the supermarket wine sector.

DOUBLE VISION

The Languedoc is a classically French conundrum. The region produces some of France's most distinctive entry-point varietals, yet is beset by intransigence and factions. Rosemary George MW reports on the growing gulf between those who reform and those who refuse

A PLAGUE ON ALL YOUR HOUSES

California's wine industry is facing one of the worst crises in its history, in the form of Pierce's Disease. Monty Waldin reports on the progress of this vine-killer, and the growing opposition to potential control measures

CHARDONNAY CHARADES

As part of Harpers' Anything But Chardonnay seminar in London, in July, a blind tasting was held to establish whether the world's Chardonnays are in danger of losing their regional identities. Neil Beckett considers the outcome

AFTER THE FLOOD

Last month, Harpers hosted an "Anything But Chardonnay?" seminar in London, focusing on the future of the world's favourite grape. Among the issues up for debate were the split identity of Chardonnay, and the tough choices facing those producers who fear that the grape is out of control

SOFTWARE OVER THE RAINBOW

There is a new reality in the virtual world, with developments in software promising to change the day-to-day business practices of companies large and small. So if AOC means more to you than ADSL and ASP, you need to read on. Especially when ASP may be the last thing your IT team will tell you about. By Neil Beckett

FOURTH WINE RELIEF RAISES 625,000

THE RUM CONUNDRUM

Distributors are seeking to give rum an edge in the spirits market through innovative promotions and a greater range of flavours, but are supermarkets ready to vary their options? James Aufenast reports on the campaign to reposition rum

All white on the night?

Well, not if it's Spanish and over a fiver - and especially not in the on-trade, according to the latest figures. However, John Radford has been finding some areas of growth and optimism in the Spanish white wine business