Country analysis: Californian wines hit the jackpot in the UK

It seems California wines have struck gold in the UK in recent years, as the value of US wine exports has exponentially grown within the global wine market, despite volumes staying relatively stable, writes Erin Smith

Bordeaux's last chance to transform "out of touch" en primeur system says Tim Atkin

Leading UK wine critic and Harpers columnist, Tim Atkin MW, has fired a warning shot across the bows of Bordeaux and warned its producers and chateaux that they need to listen to the international critricism of its en primeur system and make serious changes or risk looking "ridiculous" in the eyes of the wine world.

South Africa's wild fires under control as wineries assess damage to vines

Cape Town, South Africa, which has been battling some of the worst wild fires the country has seen in over a decade, has now seen the blaze brought under control and wine authorities are starting to assess any potential vineyard damage.

Indies must set the agenda with suppliers to be better buyers hears Harpers conference

It does not matter how good you are at tasting wine, if there is one skill every independent merchant must master it is the power to get the most out of the suppliers you choose to supply your wine.

Mark Holdsworth, Half Hitch Gin, on breathing new life in to London gin

Camden Lock in north London was once the centre of the capital's gin production. Fifty years after the last distiller moved out, Mark Holdsworth is breathing new life into the area. He talks about craft gin and his plans for Half Hitch with Helen Arnold.

UK vs France: the differences in marketing regulation of alcoholic drinks

If we think drinks legislation is inhibitive in the UK we only need look across the Channel to cheer ourselves. We asked Dr Tom Farrell and Dr Beno&icirct Lecat which system is more fit for purpose in the 21st century.

Mitchells & Butlers: what on-trade buyers are looking for from their suppliers

Former Somerfield wine buyer and restaurant consultant Angela Mount asks Henry Boyes, wine procurement manager for Mitchells & Butlers, what suppliers need to do to satisfy the largest on-trade group in the UK.

Dan Jago was "never suspended" from the business says Tesco

Tesco has confirmed to Harpers.co.uk that Dan Jago, who is returning to the business on March 9, was never actually suspended from the company, but asked to "step aside".

Origin Wine spearheads new campaign to get more wines bottled in South Africa

South Africa is set to increase its exports of bottled wine next year, following a change in the quota of duty free wine that is allowed to be exported to the EU as from 2016. In a campaign spearheaded by Origin Wines, one of South Africa's biggest exporters, other producers are being urged to switch to bottling to take advantage of the new allowances.

Anivin announces its ambassador wines for 2015

Anivin de France, the organisation responsible for promoting Vin de France Wines, has announced 112 'ambassador' wines for 2015.

Harpers independents' poll reveals growing split between performance of UK wine merchants

There is a growing split between the scale, performance and growth of the country's independent wine merchants, according to an exclusive poll conducted for Harpers March for the Independents conference being held today in London.

Les Dauphins hopes to promote niche areas of the Rhône to mass wine consumers

Merchants across the country gather for Harpers March for the Independents conference

Independent wine merchants from across the UK will be heading to London tomorrow for Harpers March for the Independents conference offering business insights, advice and the chance to network with fellow retailers.

Record breaking auction was only one highlight of Napa's "Premiere Week"

Last week's Premiere Napa Valley barrel tasting and live auction, held at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Saint Helena, set the stage for bidding on a unique and highly-selective range of the appellation's finest wines resulting in a new record of $6 million USD in fundraising for local charities.

WSTA's Call Time on Duty campaign wins major PR award

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association's Call Time On Duty campaign, which helped see the end of the duty escalator on wine and spirits in last year's Budget, has won a prestigious national public relations award.

How to drive a wine brand in the UK on-trade by Wine Business Solutions

Peter McAtamney, principal at research body, Wine Business Solutions, gives his personal assessment on how best to drive and build a wine brand in the UK on-trade with a particular nod to Kleine Zalze, which has been named number one South African brand in its latest 2014 Wine On-Premise report,and Matthew Clark which is reaping the rewards of an astute wine listing strategy

Gallo targets new wine drinkers with its first fruit and low-alcohol wine ranges

American wine giant, E& J Gallo, is continuing its drive to appeal to so-called millennial consumers, with the UK launch of a low-alcohol and a fruit wine range which are targeted at drinkers who are currently intimidated by wine but aspire to drink it.

Entries for Harpers Awards extended by a week to March 6

The deadline to enter the 2015 Harpers Awards has been extended by a weeek to March 6 to alllow extra time for the trade to collate their entries.

TescoGate: Dan Jago to return to retailer following investigation

Dan Jago, who was suspended from his role as Tesco's director of wine, spirits and beer at the height of the fallout from the £263 million shortfall in the retailer's profits, is being reinstated and will return to the retailer in a new role on March 9.

Now or never call by WSTA's Miles Beale for trade to back Drop the Duty campaign

With less than three weeks to go before the Budget, Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, has made an empassioned appeal to the industry to act now and get fully behind its campaign to persuade the Chancellor to cut alcohol duty by 2% in his March Budget.