Baking hot September boosts prospects for Bordeaux 2014 harvest

September's "baking hot" weather in Bordeaux has "greatly improved" the prospects for this year's harvest, with chateau owners comparing it to 2008.

Buyers should act quickly to secure Languedoc wine from 2014 harvest

Wine buyers looking to secure wine from the Languedoc this year are urged to act quickly following predictions the yield could be down as much as 40% on last year, according to the grape broking business, Ciatti Group.

Last chance to vote in Harpers French Wine Awards

There is still time to vote and nominate the outstanding people and companies in the UK wine trade you think are doing the most to represent, promote and sell French wine as part of Harpers French Wine Awards.

Les Grands Chais de France moves into Costières de Nimes

Les Grands Chais de France has acquired Château de la Tuilerie in the Costières de Nimes region for an undisclosed sum. 

Dedicated Wines and Murphy Wine to share business insights at France Summit

Richard Evans of Dedicated Wines, the UK wine agency that helped devise the Les Dauphins wine brand, and Daniel Murphy of bulk wine brokers, Murphy Wine Company, will both share their experiences of French wine at this October's Harpers France Summit.

Tim Atkin reflects on the star quality of the life of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild

As you'd expect of a former actress, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild liked an audience. When Château Mouton-Rothschild hosted the Fête de la Fleur celebration at Vinexpo in June 2003, after guests had enjoyed liberal quantities of the legendary 1982 she took to the stage to thank the room. She had, she announced, invited a good friend along to sing to us. To the sound of the opening bars of the drinking song from Verdi's La Traviata, a black curtain opened behind her to reveal none other than Placido Domingo. Most people would be upstaged by a world famous opera singer, but Philippine had star quality of her own.

Global leaders head to London for Wine Vision 2014

UK's top French wine experts lined up for October's France Summit

A line up of top speakers from across the UK wine trade, including Master Sommeliers, multiple buyers, restaurateurs and leading independents will all be taking part in the second Harpers France Summit taking place on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

Vinexpo strengthens management team ahead of 2015 Bordeaux show

Vinexpo has strengthened its management team ahead of next year's exhibition in Bordeaux with two new directors joining the team.

D&D restaurant group to hold month long "Bordeauxlicous" promotion

Bordeauxlicious is a new month long promotional campaign being launched by the London restaurant group, D&D, alongside Bordeaux Wines, to help promote the region's wines across all its outlets in September and October.

Wine trade identifies major opportunities for 2014

The relaunch of the 3 for £10 mechanic; a major crisis in the Spanish bulk wine industry and the growing prominence of fruit-flavoured wines were all chosen as major stories of the year to date by some of the wine trade's top names.

Back to School: Brand Phoenix's Greg Wilkins

As summer draws to a close, we asked some key figures in the trade to round up events in the wine trade for the year to date, and outline their company's plans for the rest of the year. Greg Wilkins, managing director of Brand Phoenix reckons Chinese austerity has had a major impact on the wine trade, and picks fruit-flavoured wines as the next big thing.

Les Grands Chais de France launches single serve French wine brand to UK

Les Grands Chais de France has launched its Les Vignerons brand in single serve PET glasses in the UK market.

Grande Dame of wine trade Baroness Philippine de Rothschild dies

Leading light of the global wine trade Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, head of the Rothschild family dynasty, has died aged 80.

Justin Howard-Sneyd starts wine club for Domaine of the Bee estate

Justin Howard-Sneyd MW is following in the footsteps of boss Tony Laithwaite by starting a wine club for sales from his Languedoc estate Domaine of the Bee.

Bordeaux's 2014 wine harvest to be up 50% on last year

Bordeaux's upcoming wine grape harvest should see a return to normal for the region, with forecasts placing it as coming in at 5.6 million hectolitres. 

Bordeaux ramps up focus on younger consumers with white wines

The president of a Bordeaux wine body wants to open up younger UK wine consumers to the region's white wines.

Lidl's £12m France promotion sets tone for wine department

Lidl's upcoming £12 million Bordeaux-focused wine promotion is to set the tone for the retailer's future wine strategy.

Independents to compete in the Sud de France Retailer of the Year merchants programme

Your chance to vote in Harpers France Wine Awards and take part in France Summit

Harpers is once again looking to reward the very best retailers, restaurants, distributors and individuals that are leading the way in selling and promoting French wine in the UK in our second Harpers France Awards.