Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Botanical battle

Published: 01 May, 2019

With sales still fast climbing, Andrew Catchpole asks if value can be locked in to future proof the category against peak gin

Has the king of fizz gone flat?

Published: 30 April, 2019

The Champenois are working to adapt and recover Champagne’s position in the UK. But there is division among its ranks about how best to engage with younger consumers. James Lawrence reports

America's frontier wine states

Published: 29 April, 2019

Americans may believe size is important, but there is far more to the nation’s wine than just what comes out of California, as Norman Miller discovers

A brave new world disease resistant vines

Published: 24 April, 2019

As disease-resistant vine quality improves, Darren Smith assesses how environmental pressures may radically alter the viticultural landscape

The end of sex, drugs…and alcohol?

Published: 23 April, 2019

The brains behind synthetic alternative Alcosynth say they’re five years from hitting the market and revolutionising the alcohol industry. Is this really the future, asks Jo Gilbert?

Together we can change the world

Published: 17 April, 2019

The 2019 Climate Change Leadership Conference called for the wine industry to set a global example. Lisa Riley reports

Risky business in Rioja

Published: 15 April, 2019

Rioja’s new single-vineyard classification signals the region’s desire to go after greater premium market share. The big question is, will it succeed?

The Naked Gun

Published: 11 April, 2019

The Majestic brand has taken a bullet and is soon to be haemorrhaging stores, handing an opportunity to independents to fill the gap. Jo Gilbert reports

Think France: Pitching the dragons

Published: 10 April, 2019

A Dragons’ Den-style debate opened Harpers exciting new Think France day of tastings and masterclasses, promising to be both lively and informative, and so it proved on the day, delivering passionate pitches across a host of diverse ideas aimed at benefitting the French wine category.

California rises from the ashes

Published: 08 April, 2019

Northern California’s wine industry continues to recover after the record-breaking wildfires of 2017.

Thinking holistically

Published: 03 April, 2019

Quality juice alone falls short of selling the whole wine experience. Andrew Catchpole tunes into the neuroscience behind good design

Eastern promise: Bulgaria and Hungary

Published: 01 April, 2019

After a few difficult vintages in western wine countries, central and eastern Europe are piquing buyers’ interest for well-made international varieties. Countries in these regions are increasingly seen as exciting for wine drinkers, offering an array of high-quality, authentic, local grapes and good-value wines that can offer a new story for retailers and sommeliers.

Harpers round table: Squaring up to sustainability

Published: 28 March, 2019

For the latest Harpers roundtable - in partnership with Lanchester Wines - industry experts gathered at the Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden to discuss pressing environmental issues and the commercial benefits of a sustainable approach to business.

Turning Heads

Published: 25 March, 2019

With an ageing consumer base, France’s big gun regions have been targeting younger audiences. James Lawrence assesses their success

Wine in the firing line

Published: 21 March, 2019

The modern world changes fast. In the past decade, we have gone from a situation of blithely choking on carbon monoxide from second-hand smoke every time we enter a pub or restaurant to a virtual ghettoisation of cigarettes. Before the ban most people would have thought this inconceivable. But it happened.

Cream of the crop

Published: 20 March, 2019

Champagne’s lesser-known cousin has its work cut out to stand out in the UK, where it is but a drop in an ocean of sparkling wine. It’s up for the challenge though, finds Jo Gilbert

Round Z

Published: 15 March, 2019

The younger generation is drinking less and spending less time in bars, but demanding more. Jo Gilbert finds out how bars can box clever.

Prowein turns 25

Published: 13 March, 2019

An anchor point in the calendar of the wine industry, the industry is busy gearing up for this year’s Prowein, a special 25th anniversary edition of the wine and spirits trade fair.

Harpers on Tour: Indies Down Under

Published: 13 March, 2019

There is a point on every trip, once travel fatigue has passed and the daily rhythm of tasting, talking and tucker becomes the norm, when a borrowed moment of freedom over a bottle of wine captures the spirit of the tour. During a recent indie merchant buyers trip to Australia this came in the refreshingly left-field shape of a magnum of Brash Higgins Zibibbo, providing a rather early sundowner in the leafy garden of the McLaren Vale Motel, as the group relaxed ahead of a big tasting and dinner.

Japan: ready to launch

Published: 13 March, 2019

Thanks to two key trade deals, Japan has increased its reach to a billion people so far in 2019. Jo Gilbert looks at the knock-on effect for the country’s drinkable exports