Looking ahead: Anne Bousquet, Domaine Bousquet

Looking ahead: Matt Tipping, Jeroboams

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities. 

Setúbal wines at SITT – a mandatory stop on Portugal’s wine map

The wines of the Setúbal Peninsula will take centre stage at the upcoming edition of SITT, where broadcaster and writer Joe Wadsack will lead a vinous journey into some of Portugal’s most locally celebrated wines.

Cotswolds Distillery looks to export market after £3m cash injection

Cotswolds Distillery has unveiled plans to ramp up its production of English whisky and gin with the support of Santander UK.

Taittinger continues support for International Culinary Prize

Champagne house Taittinger will continue its support of the International Culinary Prize in the upcoming 2023 edition, with entries closing on 7 October.

North South Wines adds Champagne Mandois to its portfolio

One of Champagne’s largest organic vineyard owners, Champagne Mandois, has joined North South Wines and will be available through Independent Wine Merchants and the On-Trade.

Record-breaking early harvest for Spain

Spain has recorded some of its earliest ever harvests this year, with many parts of the country bringing picking forward in order to mitigate a barrage of wildfires, widespread drought and “constant heat”.

Hospitality business leaders react to staffing crisis

Unemployment levels are at a record low, while the total number of job vacancies in May-June 2022 was 1.3million, this is according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Climate Change could make UK leading red wine producer

The average growing season temperature (typically between April-October) in UK wine regions is currently estimated to be 14°C – an increase of 1°C since 1981. 

Everything is all white at Aldi

Aldi has lifted the lid on its most popular whites this summer, as consumers looked to slake their thirst in the record-breaking British sunshine.

Calls for Northern Ireland MUP to create a ‘level playing field’

Northern Ireland appears to be inching closer to the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol after neighbours Republic of Ireland and Scotland introduced the legislation in January 2022 and May 2018, respectively. 

WineGB tasting looks to capitalise on rising sales

WineGB will be returning to London this September for a celebration of all things English wine – including another year of rising sales.

Scorched vineyards in Europe add to inflationary woes

Inflation has reached boiling point for the wine sector – with climate change adding to a melting pot of pressures which are placing increasing strain on the industry. 

Looking ahead: Andy Wood, Adnams

With the first half of 2022 already history, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Pinot Noir renaissance continues in Alsace

The ratification of Pinot Noir for use in of two Alsace's grand cru is opening up “new possibilities” as well as reviving a key part of the history of the region, an Alsace official has said.

On-trade favours major gin brands over small-batch

According to market research by Shepper, the UK’s on-trade and hospitality outlets prefer to serve leading gin and tonic brands as their house products instead of supporting local and small-batch counterparts. 

Waitrose carries the can

The nascent wine packaging revolution has taken a further step forward with the announced listing of When in Rome cans at Waitrose.

Friday Read: The post-pandemic hangover for hospitality

Nick Gillett, MD at specialist spirits company Mangrove UK, talks challenges and opportunities for the still beleaguered on-trade.

2022 MW exam questions and wines revealed

The Institute of Masters of Wine has published details of its 2022 MW exam, including the list of wines for the practical (tasting) part of the exam.

Prosecco preferred to Champagne for UK wedding ceremonies

The old adage goes, ‘spare no expense’ for your big wedding day. However, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, those tying the knot are seeking cheaper alternatives for their lavish ceremonies.