Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Building on bulk

Published: 12 December, 2022

With economic and environmental credentials to the fore, bulk wine is taking an increasingly premium turn, as Andrew Catchpole discovers at WBWE.

Harpers Design Awards 2022: The results

Published: 08 December, 2022

Judging the package, rather than the liquid within, is always an eye-opening and interesting exercise, and this year’s Harpers Design Awards once again delivered some sublime entries worthy of celebration. Andrew Catchpole dips in.

Indies: Is it grim up North?

Published: 07 December, 2022

Christine Austin gives us the Yorkshire view, looking at how businesses have fared during Covid and beyond.

Multiple messages: How retailers are communicating sustainability initiatives

Published: 07 December, 2022

With sustainability such a broad concept, how do retailers communicate the message? Angela Mount asks those at the sharp end.

Harpers Sustainability Charter: Reaching a higher standard

Published: 05 December, 2022

Almost one year on from the launch of the Harpers Sustainability Charter, Jo Gilbert surveyed its signatories to find out how much progress has been made on lowering carbon footprints.

Harpers Sustainability Charter progress: Green agenda

Published: 02 December, 2022

As the Harpers Sustainability Charter gathers momentum, James Lawrence looks at the progress made by just some of those involved.

Headline Heroes: Languedoc’s commitment to organic wine

Published: 01 December, 2022

As thousands of winegrowers in the Languedoc convert to organic farming, James Lawrence looks to Millésime Bio, the event at the centre of the movement.

Rounding up Roussillon

Published: 30 November, 2022

Andrew Catchpole looks into the innovation and excitement being generated by France’s compact Catalan wine region.

Bordeaux's evolution

Published: 28 November, 2022

There’s no denying that Bordeaux is a big beast when it comes to wine. Not only do its most famous names dominate the heady heights of investment portfolios, well-heeled cellars and critics’ scores, but it also produces some 25% of all French AOC wines. It’s the biggest appellation in France, with some 111,400ha under vine. And, to put that into perspective, the whole of Australia’s vineyard area tallies 146,244ha (2021 figures, CIVB and Wine Australia respectively). As such, it’s a powerhouse of vinous production.

CIVB: Talking Bordeaux

Published: 25 November, 2022

CIVB president Allan Sichel talks to Andrew Catchpole about the challenges and changes faced by this multi-faceted region.

Headline heroes: Prosecco – the jewel in the crown

Published: 24 November, 2022

Affordable and trendy, Italy’s famous sparkler has been in the fizz category’s driving seat for some time.
James Lawrence reports

Port finds a place in tourism

Published: 23 November, 2022

The famous fortified’s efforts to attract a younger demographic look to be paying off as travel plays favourably to its home nation. James Bayley has the details.

Dusting for wine prints

Published: 22 November, 2022

Forensic technology that aims to give a unique signature to the liquid inside the bottle could be a game-changer for provenance tracking, writes Jo Gilbert.

Vivino Christmas wine trends

Published: 21 November, 2022

Vivino has taken wine-drinkers by storm. James Bayley discovers where its global popularity lies.

M&S to rethink wine range

Published: 18 November, 2022

M&S is on a mission to offer “the most exciting wine range on the planet”. James Bayley catches up with head of BWS Andrew Shaw to find out more.

Staffing the English vineyard boom

Published: 16 November, 2022

All too often in our industry lately, the word ‘staffing’ has been swiftly followed by ‘crisis’ – and for good reason. UK Hospitality estimates there are 170,000 unfilled jobs in hospitality (not including seasonal and casual workers) – a vacancy rate of 10%.

OIV Report: Climate affects 2022 wine production

Published: 14 November, 2022

In 2022, despite the heatwave that touched many regions around the world, global wine production volume is expected to be at a level similar to that of last year. This would be the fourth consecutive year when the global production level can be considered slightly below average.

The sommelier work shift

Published: 10 November, 2022

Chefs used to steal all the limelight in restaurants, leaving front-of-house in the shadows, except for a few exalted characters who managed to gain notoriety across the trade. The rise of the superstar sommelier, however, shifted more focus to the service side, with films and documentaries adding to the allure of the wine gurus fronting the drinks offer that complements the food.

Q&A: Hal Wilson MD, Cambridge Wine Merchants

Published: 09 November, 2022

With the cost-of-living crisis and import challenges ratcheting up, Andrew Catchpole catches up with our 50 Best Indies list topper Hal Wilson to discuss the path ahead.

Ramón Bilbao: Reviving old favourites

Published: 07 November, 2022

In 2024, Ramón Bilbao will celebrate its centenary, 100 years of fine winemaking that has firmly established it as one of the leading producers in Spain and one of the world’s most admired wine brands. However, since the start of the current millennium Ramón Bilbao has become famous for more than just great winemaking. Under head winemaker Rodolfo Bastida, who assumed the reins in 1999, and the ownership of the Zamora Group, the Haro-based producer has been at the forefront of innovation in Rioja Alta and beyond. While pursuing excellence, it has cast aside many of the conventions that led many people to brand Rioja as boring and predictable.