People & Opinion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Five minutes with Ricardo Baettig, Viña Morandé

Published: 07 February, 2023

Andrew Catchpole catches up with the man who drives the exploratory winemaking at Viña Morandé, one of Chile’s most consistently innovative producers

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why the trade should be asking ‘What could go right?’

Published: 01 February, 2023

According to research across 36 countries by IPSOS, a majority of people think the global economy will get worse in 2023. A whopping 79% think prices will rise faster than incomes, 57% believe it will be the hottest year on record in their country, and an alarming 48% think nuclear weapons will be used in a conflict somewhere in the world.

Producer Q&A: Tiffani Graydon, Yealands Wine Group

Published: 31 January, 2023

CEO Tiffani Graydon talks to Andrew Catchpole about joining Yealands just ahead of the pandemic and where she’s driving the company now.

Harpers Sustainability Charter Spotlight: Chris Millson, Direct Wines

Published: 24 January, 2023

As 2023’s first new signatory to Harpers Sustainability Charter, Direct Wines’ head of sustainability Chris Millson talks Andrew Catchpole through the necessity of progress.

Q&A: Fabrice Mauge, CEO, VinoVirtual

Published: 19 January, 2023

What is VinoVirtual and how does it differ from ‘run-of-the-mill’ trade shows?

Guy Woodward: The elephant in the room

Published: 17 January, 2023

I don’t know about you, but I drank wine every day over the two-week Christmas dormancy. And I’m not just talking about a glass with dinner. We got into an agreeably unhurried routine: a lazy breakfast over Wordle, the papers and some idle scrolling; the deployment of any necessary chores (mostly either purchasing or preparing food); a long walk with (followed by washing of) the dog; then changing into what I’ll generously describe as loungewear before opening a bottle and getting some snacks going. This generally took us to around 4pm, whereupon the rest of the day was spent in a fug of board games, TV boxsets and eating and drinking.

Five minutes with Giles Fuchs, Gunner Cocktails

Published: 12 January, 2023

Jo Gilbert catches up with the owner of Agatha Christie’s favourite hotel on Burgh Island, about his gin and Gunner revolution.

Producer Q&A: Tim Lightbourne, Invivo

Published: 03 January, 2023

As Invivo’s Graham Norton partnership delivers its 15 millionth bottle of wine, Andrew Catchpole taps into co-founder Tim Lightbourne’s MO.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Do we have the courage to change?

Published: 21 December, 2022

It’s the time of year for reflection – on what has passed and what might come. Brexit, Covid, war in Europe, and the multiple consequences of the cost-of-living crisis cast a negative shadow. We might feel paralysed, ready to draw in our horns. Yet, two famous quotes point us towards positive thinking.

Thirty years of The Oxford Wine Company

Published: 20 December, 2022

After 30 years in business, Ted Sandbach, owner and chairman of The Oxford Wine Company, says moving to – and staying in – Oxford is still the best decision he’s ever made. Jo Gilbert reports

Soapbox: The need to reuse and refill

Published: 15 December, 2022

Muriel Chatel, CEO of Sustainable Wine Solutions, is conducting a pilot with restaurants to prove that most bottles can be saved from waste and reused or upcycled. Here, she makes the case for large-scale refill and reuse

Profile: Moreno Wines

Published: 13 December, 2022

Since Boutinot picked up Moreno Wines, the latter’s agile pairing of Hamish Robertson and Nick Groszek has driven impressive growth at this reinvigorated importer. Andrew Catchpole charts the change.

Tim Atkin MW: On the trail of Peruvian wine

Published: 09 December, 2022

Where is the gastronomic capital of the world? Lyon perhaps? San Sebastián? A growing number of foodies and critics would nominate Lima right now. Restaurants like Central, Maido and Osaka have become destinations, famous for creativity and fine ingredients.

Five minutes with Richard and Bernard d’Offay, Takamaka rum

Published: 08 December, 2022

Jo Gilbert catches up with the brothers behind the first internationally exported Seychelles rum brand about launching their cane rum programme and the future of Indian Ocean rum.

Headline heroes: Cellier des Dauphins leading the charge in organic wine

Published: 06 December, 2022

At the forefront of organic viticulture in France, Côte du Rhône’s Cellier des Dauphins is inspiring others to make the transition, as James Lawrence reports

Producer Q&A: Bec Hardy, Bec Hardy Wines

Published: 01 December, 2022

Sixth-generation winemaker Bec Hardy talks to Andrew Catchpole about inheriting responsibility for Pertaringa and Tipsy Hill, her new Bec Hardy label and the demands of upkeeping a family’s winemaking dynasty.

Jerry Lockspeiser: On honesty, transparency and trust in business relationships

Published: 29 November, 2022

Here’s a quiz question for the work Christmas party: what have Amazon, the cost of bottling wine and Ofgem got in common?

Viticulture in focus: What are the major trends?

Published: 24 November, 2022

Jo Gilbert catches up with some of the UK’s top agents, distributors and producers taking the lead on sustainability issues.

Talking heads: Dynamic France

Published: 24 November, 2022

Jo Gilbert caught up with some of the UK’s leading French wine importers to ask the burning question: what is France doing well currently – and why?

Profile: The Wine Society

Published: 22 November, 2022

Having traded for almost 150 years, The Wine Society made short shrift of Covid’s trickier challenges, using them as a springboard to greater growth. Jo Gilbert reports