Alcohol Duty Review

The alcohol tax review aims to rework the current ‘complex and inconsistent’ excise duty system. Let’s hope it’s not another missed opportunity, says Jo Gilbert.

Headline Heroes: Languedoc

As the world’s biggest wine-producing region, the Languedoc offers the diversity typical of a whole country, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Champagne: Bubbling up again

Champagne houses are embracing ecommerce and direct consumer sales in a bid to beat the downturn. James Lawrence follows the fizz of this hero French region.

Harmonious working for green goals

Wine producers are reaping the benefits of learning from each other when it comes to implementing sustainable production measures. Lisa Riley reports

Cognac raises its game

As a younger generation of drinkers becomes increasingly interested in what Cognac has to offer, Lisa Riley looks at the innovation and diversity at work within the category.

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