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Differing States: US wine regions on the rise

Published:  28 November, 2018

It’s been just over a decade since North Dakota, the final state to host a winery, joined the party, adding to the substantial growth of many states’ wine tourism and consequent direct consumer sales. California’s primacy remains constant, though its share of US production continues to slide from what

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Your local, approachable indie wine merchant

Published:  26 November, 2018

Following The Vineking’s soft opening of The Tasting Rooms in Reigate last month, Lisa Riley meets the brains behind the new venture and hears about the raison d’être – accessibility

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Delving into the Pacific Northwest

Published:  22 November, 2018

Leading lights from Oregon and Washington talk Andrew Catchpole through the trends and developments in their respective states

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Creating stronger bonds

Published:  19 November, 2018

At first glance, the day-to-day logistics of running a bonded warehouse is scarcely of any interest to the wider trade, let alone consumers. Regarded as a prosaic stepping stone in the overall supply chain, firms such as Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) have been managing these “holding bays” for decades, a regulated space where imported goods that are intended for export can be stored without actually entering the UK market. Duty and VAT payments are deferred until the wine is sold or removed from the bonded warehouse. It’s that simple.

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California soul

Published:  15 November, 2018

Travelling with fellow MWs in the Golden State, Natasha Hughes MW delves far beyond the usual suspects.

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Breaking the mould

Published:  12 November, 2018

Chris Wilson looks at the age-old conundrum – how can fortified wine break away from its seasonal reputation?

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Looking Stateside

Published:  06 November, 2018

US wines have been generating an unprecedented buzz in the UK. Andrew Catchpole discovers why

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Rigging the game

Published:  06 November, 2018

Less is often more when it comes to turning a profit says consultant Sean Finter, a master at optimising returns from on-trade businesses. Harpers tuned in to his message at Bar Convent in Berlin. 

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Insights: Focus on fizz

Published:  06 November, 2018

Drawing on sparkling wine research carried out with Wines Direct, Harpers assesses the state of play

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Rejuvenating Beaujolais

Published:  31 October, 2018

As the French region looks to revitalise its reputation, Lisa Riley meets the growers introducing greener methods and pursuing organic certification

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Not delivering the goods

Published:  31 October, 2018

Just Eat and Deliveroo offer restaurateurs a whole new customer base away from the high street, according to CGA. But is this at the expense of restaurants’ drinks offerings? Jo Gilbert reports

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All the trimmings: alternatives to pair with Christmas

Published:  29 October, 2018

As summer slides inexorably into autumn, we Brits start ringing the seasonal changes. Light cotton shirts give way to warm sweaters, then the coats come out of seasonal hibernation. Afterwards there’s the annual dither about whether or not to switch the central heating on yet. Before you know it they’ll be playing Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas on a continuous loop in every shopping mall and supermarket between Land’s End and John O’Groats and offering deals on anything from Play Station consoles to family-sized boxes of Quality Street.

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Festive Fuel

Published:  25 October, 2018

With Christmas set to deliver yet again for drinks retailers far and wide, Jaq Bayles takes a look at current trends to help merchants prepare for the golden quarter

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Reinventing Cognac

Published:  22 October, 2018

Cognac has two faces, neither of which appeal to millennial consumers. James Lawrence finds a spirit trying to revitalise its image

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Reaching the last mile

Published:  17 October, 2018

Fulfilling those “last mile” orders is expensive – especially for small businesses, but there are innovations that could help businesses better reach their local customer base.

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Tipping point

Published:  17 October, 2018

The government has revealed plans to help ensure hospitality workers get all the tips left for them, but reactions to the news were mixed, reports Michelle Perrett.

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Wine online pulls in punters

Published:  15 October, 2018

As a complementary offering to bricks and mortar wine retailing, online is proving a lucrative option, reports Lisa Riley

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Argentina currency collapse could boost premium wine exports.

Published:  11 October, 2018

In the last week of August there was more than a little flurry of activity for the emerging markets trading sector of Wall Street as the Argentinian peso collapsed yet again. Those in the UK and global wine trade tuned in to assess how this might affect the price and positioning of Argentina and its punter-pulling flagship Malbec.

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Think Whisky 2018: Wising up to whisky

Published:  08 October, 2018


Despite being the second biggest spirits category in the UK, accounting for 21% of sales (Nielsen/CGA, year to June 2018), big opportunities exist for whisk(e)y if it can grow engagement with women and younger adults, who currently shy away from the category.

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Attracting Talent

Published:  03 October, 2018

Speaking to Harpers in our August issue, Berry Bros & Rudd chief executive Dan Jago made a strong case for the trade to better promote the career opportunities that exist within. The trade itself, he argued, had done much to shift from being a lifestyle choice to a more dynamic, professional world, offering exciting and diverse opportunities for those who entered, backed by quality training.

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