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.

Views of the Beautiful South: Mario Pablo Silva, Casa Silva

Here Mario Pablo Silva , managing director of Chilean wine producer Casa Silva, gives his impressions and hopes for the UK market on the back of last weeek's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting.

Views from Beautiful South: Roberto Echeverria, Echeverria Family Wines, Chile

Here is the latest producer from last week's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting who is happy to share his thoughts on the UK market and the opportunties for their wines.

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.

Global wine harvest predictions released by Ciatti

The overall European wine harvest for 2014 looks like being down on last year, according to the latest report from Ciatti, the global grape broking business, but France is set to return to its position as the biggest wine supplier in the world.

Consumer confidence rises despite drop in wine and spirits sales says WSTA

There are further signs that the economy is recovering and consumer confidence is returning despite a fall in wine and spirits sales, according to the latest market report issued by the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Business and drinks experts to share innovation insights at WSTA conference

Experts from both inside and outside the drinks industry will share their experience on the importance of driving innovation through business at tomorrow's annual conference of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Diageo faces shareholder protests over executive bonuses at AGM

Diageo chiefs are bracing themselves for a tough ride at this Thursday's annual company meeting over a row with some investors over the levels of boardroom pay.

Views from Beautiful South: Ricardo Rabelo, Finca Flinchman

Following this week's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London Harpers caught up with key figures from across the Chilean, Argentinian and South African wine industries to assess their thoughts on the UK wine market for their wines.

South Africa's Nederburg Auction tops R7 million with record breaking sales

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.

Spain's wine industry must restructure but avoid 'trashing vinous treasures', warns MW

Spain has to be very careful not to trash its vinous treasures, warned Justin Knock MW, as the country faces a restructure following a wine glut.

Views from the Beautiful South: Americo Hernandez, Vina Ventisquero

Following this week's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London Harpers caught up with key figures from across the Chilean, Argentinian and South African wine industries to assess their thoughts on the UK wine market for their wines.

Let's cheer Warren Adamson on his final push to John O'Groats for the Benevolent

If you've had a tough week of tastings, meetings and trips out to the Wines of the Beautiful South then spare a thought for Craggy Range's Warren Adamson who is currently in to day seven of a nine day bike ride between Land's End and John O'Groats.

Decline in Far East and Europe hits global Cognac sales but US rallies

The clampdown on luxury goods gifting in China continues to hit the global spirits industry with Cognac announcing total exports are down both in volume and value for the year to July 2014.

Ferrari's Camilla Lunelli on finding a home for Trentodoc Italian sparkling wine in the UK

It was Giulio Ferrari in Trento, the Alpine north of Italy, who pioneered traditional method sparkling wines, or 'Metodo Classico', in Italy in 1902. With barely 900 hectares dedicated to sparkling wine production, mostly in mountainous vineyards, the wineries of Trentodoc, as the association is known, have carved out prime position at home.

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. 

Argentina must celebrate its "rock and roll" winemakers to grow says Gaucho's Phil Crozier

If Argentina is to contine to grow in the UK then it needs to do more to celebrate, promote and tell the story of its winemakers and make them the "personalities" of their wines, according to Phil Crozier, head of wine at the Gaucho Group of Argentinian restaurants.

Supermarkets set to cull wine suppliers, warns Accolade's Paul Schaafsma

The UK wine trade must brace itself for what could be large scale "supplier rationalisation" across the major multiples over the next 18 months, according to Paul Schaafsma, UK and Ireland head of Accolade Wines UK.

South Africa's Bruce Jack warns winemakers not to jump on "bandwagons"

One of the greatest challenges for a branded winemaker is not to jump on the latest "bandwagon" but remain true to your beliefs and make wines that are right for your company, according to Bruce Jack, leading winemaker at Accolade Wines.