A climate of change

Sustainable business practices are increasingly locked into a virtuous circle, with drinks companies reinforcing each other’s progress. Andrew Catchpole reports

Pushing drinks tech boundaries

Despite the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, technology continues to lead the push for environmental and sustainable change in the drinks industry. Jo Gilbert reports 

Gallic reach

Having a line-up of multi-regional French brands offers diversity to buyers, reports Andrew Catchpole

Learning French

The year that saw lockdown descend also witnessed how the power of social media is unlocking new ways of communicating for this classic wine-producing nation. By Jo Gilbert

Trade squeezed over calories

A new consultation into mandatory calorie labelling on alcohol products is adding fuel to already fiery conversations around health, wellness and indulgence, finds Jo Gilbert.

The great label debate

A row over the adoption of CMO guidelines on packaging is the latest sticking point in the ongoing debate surrounding the alcohol industry and self-regulation. Jo Gilbert reports

Paving the way back to tasting

Investing for the future

Against a backdrop of thinning government support, including the end of the rent moratorium, furlough and Eat Out to Help Out schemes this autumn, Harpers convened an expert panel to look at how companies can box clever during a time of heightened economic stress. Jo Gilbert reports from the online session 

Hard calls on Brexit

With end of transition fast approaching, concern is growing over lack of clarity on UK-EU trade. Ahead of the WSTA Industry Summit 2020, Andrew Catchpole spoke with Miles Beale about goverment's current plans to impose unnecessary red tape and barriers to business. 

WinesDirect Awards 2020

Harpers teamed up with WinesDirect for its third annual WinesDirect Awards. Voted for purely by consumers, the awards celebrate supermarkets, wine merchants 
and brands in the beers, wines and spirits industry.

Bulk wine: the unsung hero

It’s time for bulk wine to get the attention and praise it deserves – as a flexible, sustainable and often premium proposition, writes Lucy Britner.

The good mixer

From bartender innovations during lockdown to suppliers catering for a new reality, pre-mixed cocktails have become even bigger business. Lucy Britner explores this burgeoning world

Think Ribera: trading talk on the jewel in Spain's quality crown

Ribera del Duero vies for the crown of being Spain’s leading quality wine region and harbours ambitions to further grow recognition and sales in the UK. Tim Atkin MW and Andrew Catchpole co-hosted a couple of insightful sessions to find out just how this distinct and characterful region can gain more ground in the off- and on-trades. 

In the spirit of change

Ghost kitchens and virtual restaurants are the next step in the accelerating on-trade evolution, which completely strips out the dine-in part of the restaurant experience. So where does alcohol fit into this increasingly food-focused, delivery-only mix? Jo Gilbert reports.

The drinks community spirit

From care packages for hospitality staff to innovative and creative lockdown collaborations, Chris Losh looks at how those in the industry have reached out to one another 

Back to the bar: the reality of reopening

Lisa Riley catches up with a trio of bar professionals after the reopening of the on-trade to get a feel for the ‘new world’ to which they have returned. 

Cocktails are good to go

Cocktail delivery services have boomed as lockdown gives birth to a generation of amateur mixologists and stuck-at-home barflies. But, asks Jo Gilbert, is this a service that has legs?  

Capturing the cornucopia

Italy has never been more attractive as a source of highly individual wines. Andrew Catchpole talks to producers about delivering the message

Prosecco in the pink

Following a decade of consistent growth, Pink Prosecco is set to give a shot in the arm to a finally flatlining category, as Jo Gilbert reports.

Serving up a new normal

Covid-19 has given birth to the digitalisation of the hospitality sector. Welcome to a new era, says Jo Gilbert