People & Opinion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Meet Downton Abbey's new cast

Published: 24 July, 2014

Move over Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey has a new cast.

Memories of red thongs and "Semillons" inspire Andrew Shaw to join Team Cox

Published: 22 July, 2014

Andrew Shaw, head of buying at Bibendum Wine, is the latest wine industry stalwart to sign up to take part in the upcoming Médoc Marathon in Bordeaux to help raise money in memory of Michael Cox, the former UK head of Wines of Chile.

HARPERS CHOICE and how to make the perfect Gin &Tonic

Published: 22 July, 2014

These were some of our top spirits to try this week. Sipsmith Sipping Vodka, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Chairman's Reserve Finest St Lucia Rum

Is the Institute of Masters of Wine fit for purpose?

Published: 20 July, 2014

It's hard to imagine Jancis Robinson doing a stand-up routine at London's Comedy Store isn't it? Yet, after reading her take on the recent Master of Wine examination papers it would seem to me that she has all the hallmarks of a good humorist.

Chief of the Week: The Wirral

Published: 18 July, 2014

OK I may be biased having been brought up, schooled, educated and shown the way to a good life on the Wirral, but this week's Open golf championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake only reminds me of what a wonderful place it is.

CP's Tweets of the week

Published: 18 July, 2014

The Claret Pimpernel scoured Twitter to find that conjured a smile or staight up caused a laugh out loud moment.

Forget octopus and camels, wine is the best way to predict the winners of the World Cup

Published: 17 July, 2014

In 2010 we had Paul the Octopus that was "asked" to predict the outcome of World Cup games; then for the Brazil World Cup it was the turn of Shaheen the camel who became the Paddy Power of football predictions.

Will there be any wine left? asks Atherton on Botham's Hardys' role

Published: 16 July, 2014

Anyone familiar with the dressing room feel of the Sky TV cricket commentary team would not be surprised to hear last night's Hardys' cricket legends dinner, to commemorate Lord's bicentenary , also included a fair bit of banter amongst the cricketing heroes.

Other than drinking wine from - what's the Open's Claret Jug all about?

Published: 15 July, 2014

On the eve of this year's tournament the CP's heard it through the fairways that golf legend and winner of last year's Open, Phil Mickelson, confessed he has had fun with the Claret Jug this past year including drinking a $40,000 bottle of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti out the tournament's trophy.

Book review: Jerry Lockspeiser on DO PURPOSE: Why brands with a purpose do better and matter more

Published: 15 July, 2014

In the new Uncorked Book Club area on Harpers.co.uk books, featuring new and interesting titles for the trade, Jerry Lockspeiser discusses why this David Hieatt book on brands got so far into his head that it is still there days later...

Pernod Rijkaard anyone? Join in and name your "drinking footballers"

Published: 11 July, 2014

Credit where credit's due and hats off to Hal Wilson and all his crew at Cambridge Wine Merchants for coming up with this idea of naming football players that also sound like alcoholic drinks.

Chiefs of the week: Glenmorangie's Dr Bill Lumsden - the McWilly Wonka of whisky

Published: 11 July, 2014

This week we tip our proverbial cap to the one and only Dr Bill Lumsden, whisky creator extraordinaire, who says his latest limited edition for Glenmorangie is his finest whisky to date.

HARPERS CHOICE

Published: 11 July, 2014

These were some of our top spirits to try this week. Sipsmith Sipping Vodka, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Chairman's Reserve Finest St Lucia Rum

Chiefs of the week: Guy Woodward

Published: 11 July, 2014

Let's raise a glass to our new regular columnist Guy Woodward who is now entertaining Harpers readers with his insightful, cutting and controversial views.

CP's Tweets of the week

Published: 11 July, 2014

The Claret Pimpernel scoured Twitter to find that conjured a smile or staight up caused a laugh out loud moment, including tweets the trade submitted regarding what Boris Becker was thinking in a recent photo at a wine event

Herman ze German's cheeky World Cup offer

Published: 10 July, 2014

The CP had thought the days of Stan Boardman and his "ze German" jokes had been confined to history. But that was until we came across the London eaterie, Herman ze German, which has been quick to send out news alerts urging people to head to its outlets this Sunday and enjoy the World Cup final with a bratwurst or two.

Just what is Boris Becker thinking? Send us your photo captions...

Published: 10 July, 2014

With another Wimbledon title to his name (admittedly in his role as a coach to Novak Djokovic) you would think Boris Becker would be nothing but smiles at the moment. The Claret Pimpernel, however, caught him in a more thoughtful mood at a recent Franciacorta special event at the Italian ambassador's residence in London.

Game of Thrones wine-ter is coming! Plus CP's top TV shows paired with wines

Published: 08 July, 2014

Calm down all Game of Thrones' fans out there, but the Claret Pimpernel has heard that wine-ter is coming your way! Game of Thrones, the über successful HBO drama now has a wine produced in its honour - the Wines of Westeros range. The Australian wines will include 12 different styles, each one said to represent a major house or group from the series.

Guy Woodward: no more ivory tower posturing, let's get personal with consumers

Published: 04 July, 2014

Harpers is pleased to announce it has signed up Guy Woodward, former editor of Decanter, as a regular columnist and contributor.This month he tips his cap to the creative minds at Naked Wines and other innovative retail sites that are genuinely communicating to consumers in a way they can understand and says there are so many lessons to be learnt from the old school wine trade still stuck in its ivory tower.