Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

End of the casual dining bubble?

Published: 04 July, 2018

Jo Gilbert explores the biggest challenges to the high street as we know it

Greek whites having their time to shine

Published: 29 June, 2018

Malagousia, Vidiano, Kidonitsa, Savatiano and Moscofilero may yet be unfamiliar names to some, but arguably they represent the emerging chorus of indigenous Greek white wines ready to take centre stage with Assyrtiko.

The urbane spread of urban wineries

Published: 26 June, 2018

London’s growing number of urban wineries is cleverly capitalising on the hyper-local trend by bringing winemaking and wine tourism to consumers’ doorsteps.

Italian innovation

Published: 25 June, 2018

Harpers approached leading producers and consorzios to discover where investment is taking place and what new varieties, styles and initiatives are being driven forward

Harpers Industry Briefing: The Future of the Agency Model

Published: 21 June, 2018

Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole gathered a cross-trade panel at the London Wine Fair to examine the evolving role of the agent in a fast-changing world, sparking a lively debate among those present. This event took in the implications for all those in the supply chain, asking what added service and value both producers and accounts now expect from agents, along with the issues, challenges and opportunities presented by a highly competitive marketplace. Here are some of the key points from the session

Drink in the pink

Published: 20 June, 2018

As the trend for pink spirits continues, Nigel Huddleston takes a look at the plethora of products flooding the market

Premium territory

Published: 14 June, 2018

Wine is helping to drive a modest return to growth in global alcohol consumption, according to new data from IWSR, which identified an uplift in total global alcohol sales of 3.5 million 9-litre cases in 2017 over 2016 levels.

The green view

Published: 12 June, 2018

Lisa Riley looks at why businesses will garner more clout with consumers if they step up their sustainability credentials

Thinking outside the wine box on global shortages

Published: 08 June, 2018

Sourcing more cannily, focusing on quality and seeking out alternatives are just some of the outcomes that have resulted from increased supply and price pressures over the past few years. Re-evaluation was a key theme at the London Wine Fair Innovation Zone debate on May 22, as panellists discussed how best to meet changing consumer needs when global consumption patterns and global supply rarely see eye to eye.

Women in Wine

Published: 04 June, 2018

Lisa Riley reports on how both genders are galvanising efforts to ensure better representation for women in the industry

The resurgence of the port industry

Published: 01 June, 2018

At first glance, it appears to be a case of “same old story” when analysing port’s prospects in the UK. According to CGA Strategy, in the 12 months to February 24, 2018, port sales (by volume, 9-litre cases) decreased by more than 11%, falling 9.8% in value. Nielsen data concurs: retail sales declined by more than 2%, remaining static in MAT TY 142,687 % CHG VS value at £77 million (MAT to March 3, 2018).

List with a twist

Published: 31 May, 2018

With Jones Family Kitchen bringing a flavour of Shoreditch to Belgravia, Andrew Catchpole gets a taste of the ethos of the drinks team

The indies tapping into craft beer

Published: 29 May, 2018

Talk into an indie merchant in 2018 and while you may be faced with wall upon wall of wine from here, there and everywhere, you’re just as likely to encounter a kaleidoscopic display of beers and ciders in bottles, cans, growlers and kegs.

Rioja welcomes a new breed

Published: 25 May, 2018

With Rioja much changed in recent years, Spanish expert Sarah Jane Evans MW meets the newcomers offering a different take on winemaking.

Onwards and upwards

Published: 16 May, 2018

Brexit and political tussling over the UK’s place in the world is taking place alongside the growing global conversation around quality UK wines and spirits. Here we map the points where the two meet

Continuing the gin momentum

Published: 14 May, 2018

Our Think Gin 2018 event was the biggest, busiest, best attended and most buzzing yet, with a fantastic array of educational workshops, gins to taste and features such as the highly popular Mixology Pods, showcasing classic gin cocktails on the day. And, with gin increasingly the drink of choice for the ABC1 demographic, with consumers becoming ever more educated and curious as to the myriad styles on offer, the opening panel debate at Think Gin delved deep into this topic, asking how the trade can continue momentum in the category

LWF: Getting in the zone

Published: 09 May, 2018

With pre-registered visitor numbers through the roof, Lisa Riley takes a look at the new and refreshed zones at this year’s London Wine Fair

Bordeaux 2017 and the primeur tastings

Published: 08 May, 2018

Our resident Bordeaux correspondent and producer Gavin Quinney gives the low-down on a complicated year

Fairtrade on the rise

Published: 08 May, 2018

The Co-op’s new conversion of its major own-label range will boost the UK’s Fairtrade wine volumes by 20%. Jo Gilbert explores a category on the rise.