The samples didn’t look very special, to be honest. Bottled in the sort of thing they ask you to fill in doctor’s surgeries, they’d arrived by plane from the south that morning courtesy of Fernando Almeda of Miguel Torres Chile. The reality was considerably more exciting than the makeshift package, however. I was about to taste the first releases from the world’s most southerly vineyard.
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1. DRINK WHEN I WANT
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I’ve been in the wine trade for 20 years. I first started as a wine rep for a small Italian importer in London, before moving to Diageo to accept a position as a sale rep. However, in 2003 the opportunity arose to take over my father’s business; at that time there weren’t many independents specialising in wine from smaller producers. It was mostly the traditional off-licences selling the big brands and with the rise of the supermarkets selling alcohol it was time for a new approach. I knew there was a growing demand for more niche products from smaller producers and I wanted to tap into this market. My father wanted to retire so it was the perfect opportunity for me to put my plan into action.
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Like many professionals working in the trade, a career in wine was never part of the original plan – I studied mechanical engineering at university, graduating in 1997. Yet after completing a WSET course in London, I applied for a position at Harvey Nichols in 2001. I soon fell in love with both the people and subject, a passion that endures today.
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With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the trade - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.
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With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.
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With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.
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With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.
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With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.
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With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.
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It is with us at last. The wonderful Christmas and New Year period when wine drinkers empty their wallets and flash their contactless cards with gay abandon. Filling their cars, kitchens and cellars with bottles, these treasured consumers keep our businesses afloat, at least for a few more months.
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With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.
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Lisa Riley catches up with Tom King eight months after he took the helm at Treasury Wine Estates Europe following the untimely passing of predecessor Dan Townsend
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Harpers catches up with leading indie buyer, Tim Gardner, managing director/buyer, Beckford Bottle Shop, on how he ended up in the business of wine
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Harpers catches up with leading indie buyer, Louise Oliver, joint owner, Seven Cellars, on how she ended up in the business of wine
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Remember all that talk, a few years back, of the big sherry revival? About how, spurred on by the growth of tapas bars, small-plate dining, aperitif culture and cool España, fino and amontillado were the new tipples of choice for the hipster generation?
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Serendipity is part of the pleasure of owning a wine cellar. Unless you’re the kind of person who keeps a log of every bottle that’s down there – I’m as organised as the next Virgo, but there are limits – these chance discoveries are wonderful. Well, most of the time. For every bottle of oxidised Condrieu or dried-out claret, there are dozens that are exciting to unearth. I had a bottle of 2006 TMV Swartland Syrah recently, made by Chris and Andrea Mullineux before they set up their own now globally famous winery in South Africa, and it was a revelation.
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Harpers gets the lowdown from specialist retailer buyer James Hocking, wine director at The Vineyard Cellars
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Harpers gets the lowdown from Alistair Viner, head buyer at Hedonism
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Harpers gets the lowdown from specialist retailer buyer Edward Gerard, buying manager for wines, spirits and cigars at Harrods
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