Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Danbury Ridge shows eastern promise

Published: 21 February, 2023

Essex clays are poised to lead the charge of quality English still wine. Andrew Catchpole reports from Crouch Valley’s Danbury Ridge.

Tim Atkin MW: ‘Fine wine’ is outdated

Published: 09 February, 2023

It was a noble, if ultimately inconclusive exercise. Maybe that’s true of anything that involves an indigestible dose of subjectivity. But you can’t fault Areni Global for attempting to define and “rethink” the fine wine market, no less. In a recent white paper, accompanied by an entertaining panel debate and tasting at Sotheby’s in London, the impressive think tank set out to analyse what its chair, Nicole Rolet, calls the “fine wine ecosystem”. Ambitious, as I said.

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

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.

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.

The business of bartending

Published: 11 January, 2023

The evolution of the bartender during Covid and beyond continues to define a role that calls not only for impeccable drinks and cocktail-making skills, but commercial savvy, too. Clinton Cawood reports

Friday read: Not a match – why is sherry failing to find its groove?

Published: 25 November, 2022

November and December is the time when fortifieds come out to play. At least, they do in the press. Probably 90% of port and sherry’s column inches occur in the month before Christmas.

One in nine hospitality jobs still vacant despite pay rises

Published: 22 November, 2022

The staffing crisis is very much still underway heading into Christmas, data from CGA has revealed, with one in nine jobs in hospitality still vacant despite improvements in recruitment.

WoodWinters takes the path less travelled for portfolio refresh

Published: 23 August, 2022

‘Wines and whiskies’ supplier WoodWinters has taken on six new producers as part of a push to broaden its focus on indigenous varietals, Harpers can reveal.

London Wine Fair bounces back following Prowein ‘shock’

Published: 13 June, 2022

The 40th live London Wine Fair landed at the Olympia last week – a full three years since its last in-person outing and one month later than planned due to the postponement of Prowein.

Tim Atkin MW: Albariño under a cloud

Published: 07 June, 2022

In English, it’s just drizzle. In Spanish, it’s more graphic. The literal translation of ‘calabobos’ is something that soaks fools. Rather than a downpour – the sort of weather that sends you scurrying for a doorway – it’s the kind of rain you barely notice, the stuff that drenches your clothes, drip by drip by drip.

Guy Woodward: Wine's 'social experts'

Published: 10 May, 2022

“The people of this country have had enough of experts,” said Brexit cheerleader Michael Gove in the lead-up to that fateful vote. Disdaining the leaders of the US, China, India, Australia and every EU country, as well as the heads of the Bank of England, the IMF, IFS, CBI and the NHS – all of whom he branded as “distant” and “elitist” – Gove argued that fans of Brexit knew best when it came to the economy.

Henderson backs The Three Horses

Published: 06 May, 2022

THE THREE HORSES

Hallgarten tasting return signals ‘portfolio refresh’ following Gérard Bertrand move

Published: 22 March, 2022

A very buzzy One Marylebone was the setting for Hallgarten & Novum Wine’s strong return to its pre-Covid annual tasting format, where a number of new wines were on show.

Roketsu makes London debut

Published: 17 March, 2022

12 New Quebec St, London W1H 7RF

Freixenet Copestick picks up Wither Hills

Published: 10 February, 2022

Marlborough-based winery Wither Hills has joined the expanding family of Freixenet Copestick agencies, after the firm entered into a partnership with brand owner Lion New Zealand.

Last call for 30 Under 30 nominations

Published: 17 January, 2022

The final week for nominations is now upon us, with less than five days left to highlight the work of a colleague or to nominate yourself to be in with a chance of appearing in Harpers’ inaugural 30 Under 30 list.

ProWein postponement likely

Published: 14 January, 2022

It looks almost certain that ProWein is being postponed, with several German publications apparently confirming that the show is being pushed back from March to May, along with a number of exhibitors.

English wine producers named in '50 Most Influential People in British Luxury' list

Published: 12 January, 2022

Ruth and Charles Simpson, founders of Simpsons Wine Estate in Kent, have been named as one of the '50 Most Influential People in British Luxury' in the Walpole Power List 2022.