Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cider aligns with wine

Published: 16 September, 2019

A new association aiming to promote cider’s quality credentials is putting it side-by-side with wine. Jo Gilbert looks at how it holds up

Prosecco’s new hue

Published: 12 September, 2019

A new Prosecco style is poised to launch, but has it already missed the boat? Giles Fallowfield weighs up the pink fizz’s chances

China’s rules of engagement

Published: 11 September, 2019

With 32 million regular drinkers of imported wine between the ages of 18 and 54, and a potential 398 million untapped, China offers tantalising opportunities for exporters. Jo Gilbert dives in

Working in harmony

Published: 10 September, 2019

English and Welsh vineyards are joining forces to promote their wines and are on track to meet an export value of £350m in 20 years’ time. Lisa Riley reports

Roundtable: Pinotage catches up

Published: 05 September, 2019

South Africa has undergone Darwinian-levels of evolution over the past decade. Where the country – and its flagship varietal – goes from here formed the crux of Harpers’ recent roundtable in association with Kumala Wines. Jo Gilbert hosted the debate.

Ask an indie: Hal Wilson thinks pink

Published: 04 September, 2019

Everyone may be banging on about orange wine at the moment, but let’s face it, there’s only one colour that’s flying of the shelves at this time of year – pink

Bulk savings

Published: 02 September, 2019

Importing wine into the UK in bulk used to be all about saving money. Now it’s about saving the planet, too, as Simon Jack reports.

Saying yes to no and low

Published: 30 August, 2019

Looking back to December, there was one major trend analysts were backing to have the most influence on the mix of sales and consumer behaviour in 2019.

Saving graces

Published: 29 August, 2019

As businesses large and small focus on long-term sustainability goals, Lucy Britner goes back to basics to find out what practical measures producers are taking to ensure their socio-economic and environmental longevity

Cape promise

Published: 27 August, 2019

Tim Atkin MW distils three decades worth of South African knowledge into his ten top trends

Australia: On-trade viewpoints

Published: 21 August, 2019

Lucy Britner asked leading on-trade figures what turns them on about Australian wines – and how they ensure those wines work on their list. Here are their replies.

Serving up sustainability

Published: 21 August, 2019

Sustainability encompasses myriad aspects of business and production. These range from the big-ticket environmental and carbon-emission concerns – seeking to mitigate and adapt in the face of now-rapid climate change – to the socio-economic, whereby workers and employees are offered a fairer deal, including aspects of pay, work conditions, education and advancement.

Hybrid indies: Opportunities and pitfalls

Published: 21 August, 2019

The rise in independent merchants looking at the hybrid model and offering a drink-in option to complement traditional off-trade sales has seen the landscape change in recent years.

Trading places: Swapping the UK trade for winemaking

Published: 21 August, 2019

“I think it’s inevitable if you’re in the wine trade that you think you can make wine better than anybody else,” says solicitor turned wine importer turned winemaker Robin Baum. “So I thought I’d give it a go.”

On-trade secrets: Top tips for buying for the on-trade

Published: 21 August, 2019

What are the secrets to buying wine for the on-trade? Does it differ from buying for other sectors? And what are the current trends that buyers are embracing?

The return of the wets

Published: 19 August, 2019

Investor interest is returning to the high street, particularly when it comes to wet-led venues, where optimism is on the rise.

Upselling wine to the promiscuous drinker

Published: 14 August, 2019

Wine continues to struggle in the on-trade where promiscuous consumers are seeking out “new and different”. How the category can overcome these pressures was the topic of a CGA presentation at the first in a new series of breakfast briefings held by the WSTA. Jo Gilbert reports

All change in McLaren Vale

Published: 13 August, 2019

As one of the most dynamic Australian regions, McLaren Vale is helping redraw expectations of wine from Down Under. Andrew Catchpole reports

Sustainability: a transatlantic conversation with California Wines

Published: 13 August, 2019

Harpers and California Wine Institute hosted an insightful and far-reaching seminar at London’s Design Museum, delivering the core message that the wine world is well-placed to better engage consumers in supporting the true costs of advancing sustainability. Andrew Catchpole reports