Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Italy bounces back

Published: 30 May, 2023

Despite another challenging year across the trade, the appetite for Italian wine is as strong as ever in the UK, James Bayley reports.

With the contrasting styles of Navarra rosados and Provence rosés setting the scene, Harpers’ second Taste Off session set about exploring the opportunities for diversifying the popular pink category in the UK.

Rioja’s great whites

Published: 24 May, 2023

Abbie Bennington delves into the exciting and diverse white Riojas emerging from the Spanish region and why Rioja shouldn’t simply mean red.

Talking Tempranillo

Published: 22 May, 2023

Going under a host of names, Spain’s champion variety arguably deserves a more global reputation. Andrew Catchpole reports.

OIV insights: Soaring costs

Published: 17 May, 2023

Jo Gilbert analyses recent OIV data, which shows the impact of galloping inflation on global wine exports.

Psychology of flavour

Published: 14 May, 2023

New research reveals the effects of mood and surroundings on the wines we taste. James Bayley reports.

Drought: A burning issue for wine

Published: 14 May, 2023

With another scorching summer on the horizon, James Bayley assesses the damage caused by drought to affected regions across the globe.

Bordeaux 2022: Some like it hot

Published: 10 May, 2023

Harpers’ man in Bordeaux, Gavin Quinney of Château Bauduc, weighs up the 2022 vintage – and finds it could be one of the greats, though uneven.

Trading sustainability

Published: 28 April, 2023

A year on from the launch of the Harpers Sustainability Charter, the signatures continue to come, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Webinar: The future of Spanish wines

Published: 28 April, 2023

Few could have missed the evolution – perhaps revolution – in Spanish winemaking in these past years and decades, so to explore this further Harpers partnered with Wines from Spain for a webinar, inviting some of those innovative winemakers to discuss the direction in which they are pushing the industry. Also joined by two voices representing the UK trade, here we bring you key points made during that session, to complement the full recording on our YouTube channel. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Reassessing Rueda

Published: 26 April, 2023

Following on from the Rueda New Vintage trade tasting at 67 Pall Mall, Harpers partnered with DO to convene a panel to discuss the opportunities presented by the growing diversity in the region, backed by the recently created Gran Vino de Rueda category. James Lawrence reports.

USA: Wine for the many, not the few

Published: 25 April, 2023

David Kermode looks at the United States’ Pinot, Chardonnay and Bordeaux-style blends and the opportunities for these in the face of ever-rising Burgundy and Bordeaux prices.

Just the tonic

Published: 24 April, 2023

Nigel Huddleston goes back to basics with the G&T, looking at how tonics are adapting to an evolving category, including the low & no space.

Henry Jeffreys: Seeking out gin’s disruptors

Published: 21 April, 2023

Looking beyond London Dry, Henry Jeffreys tracks down the British gin brands on the hunt for growth with new points of difference.

How EU QR codes will hit UK

Published: 20 April, 2023

Jo Gilbert caught up with data standardisation gurus Bootlebooks to dive into the new EU regulations around nutritional labelling for wines and spirits, and how that could impact UK businesses.

Insights: (Some) reasons to be cheerful

Published: 19 April, 2023

Wine’s long-term decline continues while spirits and beer have enjoyed a Covid rebound. However, several markets, including the UK, have seen a resurgence in the total number of wine drinkers, with the rise of premium sales also offering positives. Jo Gilbert looks at the numbers.

Bargain Booze heads down south

Published: 18 April, 2023

As the largest off-licence chain in the UK, what does the future have in store for Bargain Booze and its
390 franchisees? James Bayley reports.

Round table: Nova Scotia delivers

Published: 17 April, 2023

A round table focusing on this Atlantic-cooled region revealed a wealth of vinous diversity and serious strength in sparkling, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

The cost of wildfires to winegrowers

Published: 14 April, 2023

Climate change has contributed to a terrifying number of wildfires worldwide. James Bayley looks at the human, economic and environmental cost of the devastation.

Hungary for UK listings

Published: 12 April, 2023

With sweet, dry and sparkling production, in 2023 the Hungarian region of Tokaj is an energetic all-rounder with a top-end pedigree. However, the best wines still aren’t always necessarily making their way to the UK, writes Jo Gilbert.