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Published: 15 December, 2020
From the first indications that a novel coronavirus brewing in the east had reared its ugly head in the west, 2020 fast played out as the year when Covid-19 turned the trade upside down. On-trade restrictions and closures, pivoting of businesses, innovation in every shape and form, plus the super-charging of ecommerce and an amazing collective response by individuals, companies and trade bodies alike all became the ‘new norm’. As a year most of us wish to see the back of stumbles to a close, the Harpers team rounds up some of the most significant events of 2020.
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Published: 09 December, 2020
With the end of the Brexit transition now hurtling down the track, many indies may not be aware of quite how much post-1 January changes could affect their businesses, as Andrew Catchpole reports.
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Published: 09 December, 2020
Among many insightful climate-related sessions at the Future of Wine Forum 2020, the plenary discussion on what wine industry leadership should look like stood out. Andrew Catchpole reports
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Published: 07 December, 2020
Each year the entries for Harpers Design Awards deliver much to delight, with the bar raised time and again, and so it proved once more with our 2020 judging. This year delivered many exemplary category winners, along with a host of worthy gold, silver and bronze medals.
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Published: 03 December, 2020
The WSTA is sticking to its ‘hope for the best, prepare for the worst’ approach to Brexit as we hurtle towards the 1 January deadline with no deal in sight. Jo Gilbert speaks to chief executive Miles Beale about what we can expect at the eleventh hour.
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Published: 02 December, 2020
Rueda is the Spanish white with the most global appeal, but it’s more complex, higher-end wines deserve to be better known. Andrew Catchpole reports
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Published: 30 November, 2020
Spain deserves better recognition as a leader in organic and sustainable viticulture and its time may well have come, writes Andrew Catchpole.
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Published: 26 November, 2020
While most areas of the trade experience decline, Spain still has the odd reason to be cheerful in buoyant UK exports and ever-robust Rioja. James Lawrence reports
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Published: 24 November, 2020
The UK remains at the forefront of the premium Port category, with sales of late-bottled vintage (LBV), quality white Port, aged tawnies, single vineyard and classic vintage ports, all remaining resilient through Covid. A nation of consumers stuck at home, looking to indulge, appears to have been largely positive for the quality end of UK Port sales. Built on a long-standing relationship with the UK, sales at Symington Family Estates are up 10% by value and 9% by volume compared with this time last year.
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Published: 17 November, 2020
The mandatory and cumbersome VI-1 forms may not be a legal requirement until next summer, but bureaucratic Brexit hurdles still await, writes James Lawrence
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Published: 16 November, 2020
The rise of hard seltzers in the US and, increasingly, the UK, is ushering in a new age of high functioning, health-focused drinks, which is comparable to the rise of vaping in the smoking sector. Hugh Jones weighs in.
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Published: 13 November, 2020
A renewed focused on shop-front retail has led to a rash of new openings, from Manchester to Birmingham and Surrey, writes Jo Gilbert.
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Published: 11 November, 2020
Coronavirus has a nasty habit of moving the goalposts – particularly for the on-trade. Or, perhaps more accurately, moving the goalposts, detonating the playing field, dancing on the smouldering remains and making you yearn for the days when a 5-0 defeat was all you had to worry about.
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Published: 06 November, 2020
With a second lockdown now underway, the major players are all doubling down on off-trade strategies for a stay-at-home Christmas. Jo Gilbert looks at how they aim to maximise profits during this challenging final chapter of the year
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Published: 04 November, 2020
The WSTA’s annual summit was a battle cry for government to embrace new technology along our increasingly complicated and antiquated borders, as Jo Gilbert reports
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Published: 30 October, 2020
Andrew Catchpole reports on the discussions and findings of the recent virtual Think Spirits webinar focusing on how the industry is adapting to new demands
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Published: 28 October, 2020
Lockdown has been kind to sherry, with the category building on its momentum within cocktail culture. Aleesha Hansel reports
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Published: 26 October, 2020
Andrew Catchpole looks at the importance and benefits of promoting diversity and inclusivity in the drinks trade
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Published: 23 October, 2020
The first in our two-part webinar considered the evolution of organic winemaking and the challenges and opportunities that this path delivers. Andrew Catchpole prompted the debate.
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Published: 22 October, 2020
Hard hit by the pandemic, South Africa’s winemakers are proving their resilience and fighting back with an eye on higher quality and pricing. By Andrew Catchpole
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