Country Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

California soul

Published: 15 November, 2018

Travelling with fellow MWs in the Golden State, Natasha Hughes MW delves far beyond the usual suspects.

Looking Stateside

Published: 06 November, 2018

US wines have been generating an unprecedented buzz in the UK. Andrew Catchpole discovers why

A natural approach

Published: 20 September, 2018

Small, but perfectly formed, Austria’s winemaking fraternity continues to innovate, looking increasingly towards natural methods, as Darrel Joseph reports.

Celebrated by critics but crippled by drought and low returns, South Africa rarely has an easy ride.

Few in the trade could have missed the ongoing challenges facing South Africa’s wine producers as the worst drought in 100 years continues to afflict the Cape. With the 2018 crop predicted to be down by 15% after two years of water shortage that almost saw Cape Town meet “day zero” and turn off its domestic supply, the harvest has been described by Bibendum’s South Africa buyer, Paul Meihuizen, as “the most challenging I have ever known”.

Re-emerging regions

Published: 01 August, 2018

Some of the most enjoyable games of the football World Cup so far have been match-ups featuring lesser-known nations – countries that you know play good football but are not up there with the likes of Brazil, Spain and Germany in the pantheon of soccer greatness.

Malbec rising

Published: 31 July, 2018

Far from suffering from its mass appeal, Argentina’s flagship grape is heading for the next level. Andrew Catchpole reports

China imports huge quantities of wine even as domestic consumption drops

Published: 06 July, 2018

Wine imports into China are continuing to soar, boosted by a strong-performing Australia, while overall Chinese consumption continues its downward trend.

Greek whites having their time to shine

Published: 29 June, 2018

Malagousia, Vidiano, Kidonitsa, Savatiano and Moscofilero may yet be unfamiliar names to some, but arguably they represent the emerging chorus of indigenous Greek white wines ready to take centre stage with Assyrtiko.

Italian innovation

Published: 25 June, 2018

Harpers approached leading producers and consorzios to discover where investment is taking place and what new varieties, styles and initiatives are being driven forward

Rioja welcomes a new breed

Published: 25 May, 2018

With Rioja much changed in recent years, Spanish expert Sarah Jane Evans MW meets the newcomers offering a different take on winemaking.

Premium agenda at Sicilia en Primeur as bottled exports hit new high

Published: 08 May, 2018

Bottlings of Sicilian wine rose 123% in the first quarter of 2018 (vs Q1 2017), reflected in both an ongoing trend to more premium exports and a reduction in bulk sales following the short 2017 harvest.

Bordeaux 2017 and the primeur tastings

Published: 08 May, 2018

Our resident Bordeaux correspondent and producer Gavin Quinney gives the low-down on a complicated year

Washington post

Published: 25 April, 2018

If individuality, diversity and an artisanal approach are your thing, look no further than Washington’s medley of engaging wines, which today offer the modern list excitign points of difference. First, though, it's worth a glance at the winegrowing heritage in the state.

California's cool coastal calling

Published: 13 April, 2018

California’s Central Coast is a hotbed of innovative cult winemaking. Clinton Cawood visits the epicentre of the scene

Oregon: On pushing Pinot Noir

Published: 10 April, 2018

Oregon has become the Pinot Noir capital of the Pacific Northwest. Jo Gilbert traces its evolution to the modern winemakers now redefining the grape

Portugal Uncovered

Published: 26 March, 2018

Following on from last month’s Simplesmente Vinho in Portugal, Sarah Ahmed takes a look at the producers really shaking things up for the country’s wine scene

Spain raises the stakes

Published: 23 March, 2018

Spain has long been known as the commercial hub of Europe’s classic winemaking regions – a category that has traditionally seen off-trade sales veer towards its £5-£10 “sweet spot” or lower, to the sub-£5, rather than its top tier of lauded pagos.

Riesling: gateway to Germany

Published: 22 March, 2018

Could Riesling be the answer to opening consumers' minds to lesser-known German Wines? Lisa Riley reports

Plotting the indigenous jewels on Hungary’s wine map

Published: 09 March, 2018

Hungary has come a long way since the heyday of Bull’s Blood in the 1970s. Now it’s rich tapestry of indigenous styles are finding their feet

Gallic Groove

Published: 02 March, 2018

French wines rank third in the UK off-trade in terms of value sales by country of origin (Nielsen, off-trade MAT to December 12, 2017), and fourth in terms of volume, with only New Zealand commanding a higher average price per bottle sold, at £8.80 versus £9.50 respectively.