Guy Woodward: A parallel between the election results and Harpers most over- and under-rated wine countries survey

The outcome of - and the polls leading up to - this year's general election provided yet further evidence, were it required, of the vagaries of the Great British public  and, indeed, of opinion polls themselves.

Tim Atkin MW: The hard work for Priorat wine pioneers

The village of Bellmunt del Priorat has its very own mining museum, a tribute to a time when lead was more important than grapes to the economy of this wild and isolated corner of Catalonia.

Samba sensation hits London Fair

Aged Sake Part 2: A range of style and techniques

In the second part of our sake blog, Anna Greehhouse looks at styles and techniques of aged sake and looks beyond Japan to find them. 

Anne Krebiehl looks at Dom Pérignon's Three 'Plénitudes'

Anne Krebiehl fanfares the launch of Dom Pérignon's Three 'Plénitudes' - three late-released, late-disgorged vintages launched as one - at a recent London tasting pop-up.

Matthew Dickinson asks: Where has all the profit gone?

Giving a talk at a recent WSET Business and Commercial Knowledge course gave Matthew Dickinson the opportunity to look at where the profit in wine has gone. Here he reflects on what he discovered:

Harpers choice, May 2015

Brighton Gin; Calusari Pinot Grigio; VII Hills

Guillaume Deglise, Vinexpo CEO: US and China to have big presence at Vinexpo

With only weeks to go before the new-look Vinexpo opens its doors for the 19th international wine and spirit exhibition, the pace of visitor bookings is turning into a flood. Over 48,000 visitors are expected from 120 countries. Centre stage is the US, which is showing unprecedented interest in exhibiting wines, but also in showing off its spirits and cocktail flair in the enhanced spirits sections.

Chief of the Week: Raul Diaz of WineTraining Limited

When we think of passion, patience and a man on a mission of spreading the love and appreciation for wine, Raul Diaz definitely comes to mind.

Fresh Whites Replacing Traditional Aged Whites in Rioja?

"Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo is by far our best selling white wine. We believe that the fruit that the Verdejo delivers along with its rich aromas can fit in the palate of consumers that enjoy the Sauvignon Blanc. Our Verdejo has successfully replaced Viura because of the fresh and fruity style that we have always put into our whites. Also, the American palate is ready to enjoy the uniqueness of the Verdejo. There was not a leading Verdejo producer in the US market until we arrive. We saw the opportunity, took on the challenge and we are now on the right track."

Chief of the Week: English Wine

It may be a bit of a departure from our more traditional celebration of people in the wine and spirits industry that we choose to recognise English wines as this week's Chief of the Week. But with the enormous success of English Wine over the past year it is a great opportunity to raise a glass of British sparkling fizz to the growing number of producers and their success stories.

Chief of the Week: Ian Harris and the WSET

We raise a glass to The Wine & Spirit Education Trust and chief executive Ian Harris today for all the work that they have been doing over the decades to educate both those in the trade and consumers about wine.

Chief of the Week: Rowan Gormley, new ceo of Majestic Wines

Today we raise a glass to Rowan Gormley one of the key players behind the £70 million acquisition of Naked Wines by Majestic and the new chief executive of the larger Majestic Wines group.

A Majestic State of Nakedness

A short blog reviewing the surprising news which saw Majestic acquire Naked Wines

Harpers choice: April 2015

Domaine Gagey Monthéalie 2010; Griset Sauvignon Gris Rosé 2014; Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Gin

Guillaume Deglise, Vinexpo CEO: Despite US wine market growth, UK is still powerful

When I announced in London recently that the USA was the world's biggest wine consumer and that the Chinese are tipped to drink more red wine than anyone else, it was clearly unexpected news for many.

Taste Test - A Cape Mentelle Double Act

A review of the Sauvignon/Semillon 2014 and the Cabernet/Merlot 2013

Harpers Wine without Siddle is like Top Gear without Clarkson

Like many people, I was taken by complete surprise on Friday when the announcement came that Richard Siddle was leaving Harpers. When I read the news I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach; I genuinely felt sick; and I felt I'd lost a true colleague and friend.

Guy Woodward: Takes a look at the Cognac conundrum

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've ordered Cognac. Like crystal meth and Bikram yoga, it's simply not something by which I've ever been tempted.

Tampon tax - are you pulling my plonker?

There's no need to ask anyone in the drinks industry whether or not they're fed up with the excessive tax on alcoholic beverages; this is a given! But 'tampon tax', really? Are you serious?