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The week that was

Top Stories: A new venue for the Wines from Spain Tasting, a presentation on varietal clones from Argentina’s Nieto and a new look for supermarket Aussie staple Jacob’s Creek all caught the attention of readers this week.

We also followed the decision by the Supreme Court to clear the way for minimum pricing in Scotland – a decision which has been four years in the making.

More on minimum pricing on the section below.

• Behind the scenes: Varietal clones at one of Argentina’s biggest producers
• Jacob’s Creek gives Classics collection heritage revamp
  
• Ridgeview heralds non-vintage move as it appoints youngest winemaker
• New venue and new look for Wines from Spain annual London tasting
• KWV repositions itself towards independents and the on-trade
• Wine companies join forces to call for wine duty freeze

Pricing, pricing, pricing: The culmination of Scotland’s minimum pricing debate and the looming Budget put the spotlight squarely on pricing this week.

Despite strong opposition from the Scotch Whisky Association, the UK’s Supreme Court ruled in favour of a move to introduce 50p-per-unit minimum pricing in Scotland – which the judge called “a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.”

Elsewhere, we looked ahead to next week’s Budget and what the implications are for the trade.

• Supreme Court clears path for 50p-per-unit minimum pricing in Scotland
• Wine companies join forces to call for wine duty freeze
• Hammer to fall on Scottish minimum pricing
• Industry calls on Chancellor for duty help

Analysis and Insights: A spike in production in the Crémant de Bordeaux AOC led Features and Insights Editor Jo Gilbert to look at how France is responding to the fizz in the sparkling category.

Harpers also looked at how environmental factors in South Africa could possibly dampen things for the country’s quality winemaking scene.

• South Africa chases premium ground
• Crémant upping the pressure

People and Opinion: Harpers editor Andrew Catchpole caught up with Vistamar winemaker Irene Paiva to talk about Chile’s on-going winemaking evolution.

• Q&A: Irene Paiva, Vistamar