Producers - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wine MBA event

Published: 23 July, 2008

Five high-profile leaders in the world wine community are set to be quizzed by Harpers editor Christian Davis at a special event at this year's London International Wine & Spirits Fair.

Let's begin with a rather stretched analogy. World War I was a terrible conflict that exacted a terrible human toll. Yet this otherwise disastrous war yielded a significant positive benefit for the aviation industry as both sides sought more effective warplanes to master the new arena of aerial combat.

United they stand

Published: 23 July, 2008

Robin Fedden, travelling in Syria and Lebanon at the end of the Second World War, offers this advice to thirsty travellers in his travel book Syria and Lebanon: Quite good wine is made in certain parts of the Lebanon, particularly in the Bk'aa [sic] Valley, in the neighbourhood of Chtaura. It is relatively cheap. On the other hand, most of the wine in the out-of-the-way villages is hardly recognisable as such, and is best avoided.'

Pernod faces fight for Allied Domecq

Published: 23 July, 2008

The board of Allied has recommended the 7.5 billion takeover offer from Pernod Ricard - although speculation is growing that a counter bidder could be formulating an offer.

Chilean consolidation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Although Chile's 2005 vintage has so far proved to be good news for winemakers, it is developments in the boardrooms rather than the vineyards that are making the headlines.

GALLO REJIGS AS EUROPEAN BOSS DEPARTS

Published: 23 July, 2008

E&J Gallo has announced a number of personnel developments within its European division following the sudden departure of vice president general manager, Europe, Tamara Minick-Scokalo.

BIODYNAMICS UNDER QUESTION

Published: 23 July, 2008

Biodynamic viticulture is more than just a marketing tool, but more hard scientific evidence is required to prove some of its adherents' claims.

THE INTERVIEW - LUDOVIC PECH

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ludovic Pech - Assistant manager, Chapter One, Farnborough Common, Locksbottom, Kent Interview: Christian Davis

THE INTERVIEW - MICHELE ZORZI

Published: 23 July, 2008

Michele Zorzi, Matre D', Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Interview: Josie Butchart

THE INTERVIEW - CHRIS VAN TATENHOVE

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chris Van Tatenhove, Operations director, Greenwich Inc (including Bar Du Muse). Interview: Josie Butchart

Clos in ranks

Published: 23 July, 2008

The aggression of producers in the New World and retailers in the Old is combining with currency fluctuations to threaten Burgundy's export success. Now, with a growing polarisation between the best of the region and the rest, there is a greater need than ever for consolidation. Neil Beckett reports on the shakeout

THE INTERVIEW - RACHEL BROOKER

Published: 23 July, 2008

Rachel Brooker, Wine supervisor, Quaglino's, London. Interview: Josie Butchart

THE INTERVIEW - VINCENT LABEYRIE

Published: 23 July, 2008

Vincent Labeyrie, Wine buyer, Le Cercle, London. Interview: Josie Butchart

THE INTERVIEW - NELEEN STRAUSS

Published: 23 July, 2008

Neleen Strauss, Co-owner, Vivat Bacchus, London. Interview: Josie Butchart

THE INTERVIEW - JAMES HOCKING

Published: 23 July, 2008

James Hocking, General manager, The Vineyard Cellars, Interview: Christian Davis

NOT DROWNING BUT WAVING

Published: 23 July, 2008

Though the headline figure for the global surplus looks likely to decline for the third year in succession, the problem of over-supply continues to threaten the existence of wine producers of all kinds all over the world. In his latest update, Neil Beckett assesses the size, colour and increasing quality of the world wine lake

BRANDING THE BEAST

Published: 23 July, 2008

You've slaved over the vines, sweated in the winery, argued over the label and persuaded your UK agent to take 10,000 cases. All great, but meaningless if the notoriously fickle UK consumer walks on by in the supermarket or off-licence. How do they know that your wine is the one they want to drink with their dinner tonight? Josie Butchart talks to a few experts in the art of advertising

ANALYSE THIS

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

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

DRINK ARGENTINA

Published: 23 July, 2008

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