People & Opinion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Headline hero: Santiago Mora Poveda, director general, DO Rueda

Published: 12 November, 2021

In association with DO Rueda

What is it about the style of Rueda that’s driven its popularity?

Five minutes with Caroline Thompson-Hill, Accolade Wines

Published: 10 November, 2021

Jo Gilbert finds out more about the Accolade Mud House/Tesco Loop partnership via Caroline Thompson-Hill, managing director, Europe, at Accolade Wines.

Producer spotlight: Steve Smith MW, Smith & Sheth

Published: 04 November, 2021

From Craggy Range to Smith & Sheth, winemaker Steve Smith has long been a driving force on New Zealand’s winemaking scene. Always aiming ever higher, he fills Andrew Catchpole in on how it’s going.

Headline hero: Javier Santafé, DO Navarra

Published: 02 November, 2021

In association with Wines of Navarra

Jerry Lockspeiser: Can we trade our way out of this mess?

Published: 28 October, 2021

Sitting in reception at one of the UK’s biggest supermarkets waiting for the wine buyer to appear for our appointment, I flicked through my newspaper. When he arrived, I hurriedly stuffed the paper into my briefcase, but not before the buyer had caught sight of it. “Ah, you are one of those are you?” he said, having identified my copy of The Guardian.

Soapbox: Why 2021’s skills shortage could be the best thing to happen to the hospitality industry

Published: 26 October, 2021

For many workers in hospitality, it’s not only low pay, but aggression and isolation that are the norm. It’s time to change things, says Simon King, former operations director for Gordon Ramsay Group and co-owner of new Surrey gastropub The Victoria Oxshott.

Profile: Harriet Kininmonth, C&C Group

Published: 20 October, 2021

Jo Gilbert talks to Harriet Kininmonth, wine trading director for C&C Group, the owner of Bibendum and Matthew Clark, about how her newly created role will help to usher in a wine-focused era for the company, while leaving the shadow of Conviviality behind

Q&A: Laurent Fresnet Cellar Master, Mumm

Published: 18 October, 2021

In partnership with Champagne Mumm

Tim Atkin MW: The new joy of travel

Published: 14 October, 2021

After 18 months of Zoom calls, Instagram Lives and home tastings, of Coravin capsules, small samples and endless recycling bags, I finally got to visit a wine region two weeks ago. To be strictly accurate, I did go on an inspirational visit to Danbury Ridge in Essex last year, squeezed in between lockdowns, but my trip to Ribera del Duero involved getting on a plane and flying to another country. Spain always lifts my spirits, but this time they soared.

Headline hero: Olivier Richaud, Domaine d’Aussières

Published: 12 October, 2021

Since you started your tenure at d’Aussières in 2020, what key changes have you overseen at the estate?

Producer Q&A: Niël Groenewald and Zinaschke Steyn, Nederburg

Published: 05 October, 2021

Nederburg is the largest exporter of premium wine in South Africa, carrying a torch as a standard bearer for the country worldwide. Jo Gilbert talks bans, lockdown harvests and mental health resets with two of the company’s leading figures, MD Niël Groenewald and red winemaker, Zinaschke Steyn,

Jerry Lockspeiser: Do you mind being lied to?

Published: 30 September, 2021

I have never been to The Sportsman pub in Seasalter near Whitstable on the Kent coast. The loss is all mine. Described as “a grotty rundown pub by the sea” it has held a Michelin star since 2008 thanks to the efforts of chef-patron Stephen Harris. I haven’t met Stephen either, but like others who have eaten at Noble Rot’s restaurant in London’s Bloomsbury, I have benefited from his skills in the kitchen. He became executive chef of NR at the outset, overseeing menus that have satisfied customers since day one.

Charles Beaini, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill and Corinthia London

Published: 28 September, 2021

Charles Beaini, wine executive for Kerridge’s Bar & Grill and Corinthia London, talks to Andrew Catchpole about opening up the world of wine and improving approachability across drinks categories in hospitality.

Profile: Andrew Shaw making his mark at M&S

Published: 21 September, 2021

Andrew Shaw has a distinguished pedigree in BWS, which is continuing with his latest tenure. By Lisa Riley

Guy Woodward: A question of mark-ups

Published: 15 September, 2021

Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year 2018

Five minutes with Adolfo Hurtado, Mont Gras

Published: 07 September, 2021

The charismatic winemaker at Chile’s Mont Gras talks to Lisa Riley about how growing up around vineyards influenced his three new wine ranges – Day One, Organic, and Devine Reserva – distributed by North South Wines.

Q&A: Patrick Venning, The Brixton Distillery Company

Published: 31 August, 2021

On the first anniversary of former Pernod Ricard executives Patrick Venning and Laurent Lacassagne’s creation of Market Row Botanical Rum, Andrew Catchpole meets Venning at their Brixton-based distillery to find out how their novel approach to the category is going.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Sean Lock, wine and the value of originality

Published: 26 August, 2021

Comedian Sean Lock passed away on 16 August. Many knew him from TV, radio and his live one man shows. 8 out of 10 cats on Channel 4 was probably his biggest audience. Sean’s sparkling eyes, dead pan delivery and absurdist wit made him a true original.

Q&A: Rollo Gabb, Journey’s End

Published: 24 August, 2021

Having bagged Star of South Africa and a deserved Star Design for his Journey’s End estate’s Identity wines, owner Rollo Gabb talks Andrew Catchpole through the label and liquid behind these Wine Stars Awards winners.

Q&A: Tom Jones, Whalley Wine Shop and Whalley Wine Bar

Published: 17 August, 2021

Deciding to open a wine bar next to Whalley Wine Shop during a pandemic seemed like the obvious move for owner Tom Jones, founder and MD, who fills Andrew Catchpole in on why he’s made this leap of faith.