Country Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

How Spain reinvented itself for the on-trade

Published: 31 October, 2025

A new generation of winemakers has recharged the country’s standing in the on-trade. Hamish Graham reports.

The great Rías Baixas experiment

Published: 27 October, 2025

In a region primarily known for Albariño, plenty of winemakers are uncovering the potential in blends and lesser-known grapes, finds Andrew Catchpole.

Spanish wine importers chart the path ahead

Published: 24 October, 2025

Harpers invited some of the bigger producers and importers of Spanish wine to comment on what they are focused on in terms of both sales and marketing and where they see any openings or challenges for Spanish wine in the UK. Many said that Spain is a region with a strong position and a lot of potential, which presents both opportunities and difficulties for those in Spanish wine – one of the most-emphasised points was the necessity of consumer education, as a lack of knowledge may be holding Spain back.

Why communicating Spanish wine’s identity boasts opportunities and challenges

Published: 22 October, 2025

Fuelled in no small part by its ongoing holiday romance with Spain, the UK is the Mediterranean country’s third most successful wine export market behind France and Italy. Ever since the term ‘Costa Blanca’ was coined to promote Spanish tourism in the late 1950s, Brits have been soaking up the culture, food and drink along with the sun.

Italy Report: The shifting perception of Prosecco

Published: 23 July, 2025

Prosecco has long made life easy for wine drinkers: it hits the right price point, rolls off the tongue and is effortlessly quaffable. Between 2018 and 2019, exports of both DOC and DOCG styles to the UK doubled, and its popularity seemed all but untouchable. Yet, having stolen much of Cava’s thunder, sales of Italy’s flagship sparkler have reportedly stalled in the independent sector. But is Prosecco merely another casualty of the global downturn – or is something more dramatic unfolding?

Italy Report: Italian wine’s state of play

Published: 21 July, 2025

The UK’s thirst for Italian wine has proven to be an enduring affair, with the category demonstrating a healthy resilience in a tough market. Among the world’s top seven wine countries, Italy is the only one in growth in terms of hectares under vine, with the country now the largest producer of wine ahead of France and Spain, according to the OIV (International Organisation of Vine & Wine), with exports worth €8.1bn last year – an increase of 5.6% on 2023.

Italy Report: Future-focused Montalcino's winemaking innovation

Published: 22 July, 2025

My recent trip to the rolling hills of the famous appellation shows that though Montalcino’s history can be an instructive ally, it does not limit wine producers from adapting to the challenges of the present and innovating for the future.

South America Report: UK importers have their say

Published: 07 April, 2025

Importers face a fine balancing act heading into 2025, continuing to present a diverse, well-priced portfolio offer while being beset by the cost shocks of duty rises, EPR and National Insurance rises, to name just a few. For specialist importers of South American wine navigating this puzzle can feel notably headache-inducing, particularly because naturally high-abv wines such as Argentinian Malbecs will be harder hit by duty changes. This is a challenge as these wines’ very taste and style can rely upon this higher alcohol content.

South America Report: Uncovering Malbec’s terroir expressions

Published: 02 April, 2025

“I always get asked ‘What comes after Malbec?’ and my response is always: ‘More Malbec!’”. Santiago Achával’s quip has become a familiar refrain in Argentina’s wine circles, and many other winemakers share a similar sentiment. While Argentina produces a wide array of grape varieties, Malbec remains its undisputed flagship, both in vineyard plantings and global reputation.

Spain Report: Talking sherry and terroir

Published: 28 October, 2024

Ellie Scott looks at how sherry’s evolving legislation, style and focus on terroir is impacting category perception in the UK.

Spain Report: Winning with whites

Published: 25 October, 2024

The diversity of the white offering from Spain has led to a vibrant scene which is generating excitement among consumers. Sarah Jane Evans MW reports.

Headline Heroes: Rioja and a return to roots

Published: 23 October, 2024

Despite the still-popular image among consumers of Rioja as a ready-to-drink offer of easygoing charm, born of multi-regional blending and generous American oak, evolution in the region and its style is by no means a new-fangled thing. Finca Allende (the name means ‘further’) was arguably the most powerful precursor of the modern face of Rioja, bringing in single vineyard focus on terroir, coupled with the likes of new French oak and 100% Tempranillo in its top cuvée, as far back as the tail end of the last century.

Spain Report: Evolution and discovery

Published: 21 October, 2024

Andrew Catchpole speaks to champions of Rioja about the opportunities and challenges presented by such a diverse and dynamic region.

Spain Report: Sun shines on Spanish wines

Published: 17 October, 2024

While not without its challenges, the UK market continues to provide opportunities for the Mediterranean country’s offerings. By James Bayley.

Beyond Mendoza

Published: 16 October, 2024

Amanda Barnes explores how Argentinian wine is evolving past the borders of its biggest-producing region to bear fruit further afield.

Analysing Spain

Published: 09 October, 2024

Andrew Catchpole reports back from the insightful Spain Food Nation Summit session on Spanish wines.

Australia reborn

Published: 27 September, 2024

Winemakers have entered a new era, with creativity and dynamism to the fore. But UK perceptions of the country’s wines need to catch up if consumers are to benefit. Andrew Catchpole reports.