People & Opinion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Soapbox: Calling time on sustainability inaction

Published: 10 October, 2023

With emissions targets slipping away, Denomination’s strategy director Mariella Menato urges action across the drinks industry

Tim Atkin MW: Rioja on the rocks?

Published: 06 October, 2023

It should have been a moment of celebration, a chance to hymn the qualities of a special place. José Luis Pérez-Linares’ documentary, Rioja: La Tierra de Mil Vinos, will be premiered at the Valladolid film festival later this month. No doubt the movie will talk about Rioja’s diversity, about the thousand wines of its title, but it will also prompt deeper questions about the way Spain’s marquee wine region is run – and its future viability.

Five minutes with Laurent Chaniac, The Cinnamon Collection

Published: 03 October, 2023

As he unveils a new series of Spice & Wine dinners at London’s Cinnamon Club, Laurent Chaniac talks Andrew Catchpole through the challenges of pairing quality wine with spicy dishes.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Growth is central to business strategy. Is it time to change?

Published: 27 September, 2023

Many years ago I was asked to act as a strategic consultant to a Chilean wine business. They wanted help with reformulating their strategy, first to achieve break even, then to reach sustainable profitability. The business was 100% targeted at export markets, with the UK a key priority.

Interview: Bradley Dorrington, The Wine Cellar BSE

Published: 26 September, 2023

Having opened in the regional foodie mecca of Bury St Edmunds, Bradley Dorrington talks to Andrew Catchpole about his different approach to food and wine at The Wine Cellar BSE.

Producer Q&A: Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, Gaia

Published: 19 September, 2023

Jo Gilbert catches up with Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, co-founder of Gaia, which was established in 1994 to become a Greek powerhouse focusing its vinous ambitions both in Santorini and the mainland.

Profile: Walker & Wodehouse

Published: 14 September, 2023

Joshua Butler of Walker & Wodehouse, partner to Harpers 50 Best Indies, talks trade with James Bayley.

Guy Woodward: The case for wineries with soul

Published: 12 September, 2023

The World’s Best Vineyards awards are something of a misnomer. The competition recognises wineries for the quality of their visitor experience rather than their vineyard – tourism over terroir, if you will. But they are no less reputed, or noteworthy, for that.

Soapbox: Stirring up a duty storm

Published: 07 September, 2023

Bordeaux winemaker and British expat Gavin Quinney says UK duty is ‘even crazier’ than we first thought.

Five minutes with Stephanie Jordan-Balmforth, Avallen

Published: 29 August, 2023

Jo Gilbert catches up with Stephanie Jordan-Balmforth on Avallen, the ‘planet-friendly’ calvados.

Jerry Lockspieser: Money can’t buy you love – or can it?

Published: 24 August, 2023

How should we respond when values we hold dear conflict with opportunities for business advantage or personal gain? How best to navigate conflicting aspirations?

Producer Q&A: Matt & Kelly Austin, Grosgrain

Published: 22 August, 2023

Walla Walla disciple Matt Austin, co-owner and winemaker of Grosgrain, shares the appeal of this fast-evolving region with Andrew Catchpole.

Profile: Wine Importers’ modern ambitions

Published: 15 August, 2023

Wine Importers’ Neil Renton gives Andrew Catchpole the low down on this Scottish stalwart’s plans.

Soapbox: On the face of it – harnessing star power

Published: 10 August, 2023

Michael Goldstein, entrepreneur and founder of prosecco.com, questions whether celebrity investment in the booze business is all it’s cracked up to be.

Celebrity status is lighting up the spirits, wine and cocktail scene, with A-list faces trading scripts for spirits and couture for wine cellars. A stroll down the drinks aisle can now sometimes feel like a walk down the red carpet, with famous names backing many labels. But stardom does not necessarily guarantee long-term success for a beverage brand.

Tim Atkin MW: When tastings let down a wine brand

Published: 08 August, 2023

The French call it an “embarras de richesses”. The closest we come in English is a confusing abundance or possibly too much of a good thing. But I really appreciated the choice and the thought behind it. Would I like to taste the producer’s wines out of a Riedel Veloce Syrah, a Spiegelau Definition or a Zalto Bordeaux glass? “Try them and see what you think,” I’ve been told. “We find that our wines show differently in each of them.”

Five minutes with Marcelo Papa, Concha y Toro

Published: 01 August, 2023

Marcelo Papa, technical director at Concha y Toro, is in the UK to bring some new wines to market, including a lighter-alcohol label. James Bayley gets the lowdown.

Producer Q&A: Sanket Gawand, Vallonné Vineyards

Published: 27 July, 2023

Sanket Gawand was one of the youngest winemakers in India when he started working at this boutique Nashik winery in 2009. Sophia Longhi went to visit to talk innovation and Indian wine.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Alcohol tax, inequality and 40p wine

Published: 25 July, 2023

Everyone in the UK trade will be acutely aware that the new duty system comes into effect on 1 August, making most wine more expensive and all of it much more complex to administer. The negative effects will be exacerbated on 1 February 2025, when the tax banding will be divided further into an extraordinary 27 different segments, with some going up and some going down.

Indie Q&A: Andrew Lundy, Vino

Published: 18 July, 2023

Vino’s boss is a familiar face well beyond the Edinburgh scene, but his passion remains rooted in retailing great wine to locals. Andrew Catchpole dropped by.

Soapbox: Cape expectations

Published: 13 July, 2023

Without greater financial sustainability for Cape growers, an increasing number of South Africa’s premium vineyards are under threat. DGB marketing director Andrew Harris explains the problem.