When I announced in London recently that the USA was the world's biggest wine consumer and that the Chinese are tipped to drink more red wine than anyone else, it was clearly unexpected news for many.
Read more...
A review of the Sauvignon/Semillon 2014 and the Cabernet/Merlot 2013
Read more...
Like many people, I was taken by complete surprise on Friday when the announcement came that Richard Siddle was leaving Harpers. When I read the news I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach; I genuinely felt sick; and I felt I'd lost a true colleague and friend.
Read more...
I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've ordered Cognac. Like crystal meth and Bikram yoga, it's simply not something by which I've ever been tempted.
Read more...
There's no need to ask anyone in the drinks industry whether or not they're fed up with the excessive tax on alcoholic beverages; this is a given! But 'tampon tax', really? Are you serious?
Read more...
Working on this side of the fence you sometimes wander who is actually reading all (or any) of the news and copy that we diligently write every day - and where in the world they are if they do.
Read more...
Anne-Claude Leflaive was sometimes described as one of Burgundy's "grandes dames" but there was nothing aloof about the woman who ran the most famous white wine domaine in the Côte de Beaune. Relaxed, friendly, yet intensely focused, Anne-Claude inherited the easy charm and sense of humour of her father, Vincent, who preceded her at the helm of this prestigious property.
Read more...
An independent wine shop owner is hoping to raise money for charity by completing the notorious Marathon des Sables.
Read more...
I have long argued that wine investment is nothing more than high risk speculation, and I am on record for questioning the risk versus return of this asset class. In response, Wine Investment insiders are not shy in voicing their disdain and contempt for my views. In their words "to say wine investment is not safe is naive beyond belief". So who is right?
Read more...
Award winning chef Chris Galvin and his general manager, Fred Sirieix, at London's Galvin at Windows have had a dream come true with a surprise cameo role in the new James Bond film, Spectre.
Read more...
Truth: The wine investment industry want you to believe this, after all it's in their financial interest that you buy into this belief, but try telling this to the clients that lost huge amounts of money in this unregulated market.
Read more...
So here's us all thinking it was the gallant combined efforts of a cross industry high profile campaign that convinced the Chancellor, George Osborne, to freeze the duty on wine in last week's Budget. Well think again.
Read more...
It's been another hectic week for the world of wine and spirits. Most of the UK wine trade seemed to have debunked to Dusseldorf for the annual tour of bratwurst stalls at ProWein - without doubt the largest wine fair in the world.
Read more...
Wine investment must surely be the dumbest of all things to risk your money on. But where does it stand in the top ten dumb things to bet on; where you're sure to lose your money? Stephen Forward reveals his top ten dumb investment tips.
Read more...
OK admittedly it seems strange to bestow our "Chief of the Week" honour on simply a vintage Port house. But then Cockburn's, now safely ensconced in the paternal ownership of Symington Family Estates, is not your average vintage Port company.
Read more...
The wine industry's first ever rock band, Skin Côntact, took the wine trade by storm on Monday night on stage at London's Vinopolis wowing the audience and helping to raise over £10,000 for Wine Relief, the wine trade's initiative for Comic Relief.
Read more...
With all the excitement of last week's March for the Independents events we missed out on news that England fast bowler has been signed up by Australian wine brand, Hardys, to be one of its ambassadors as part of its ongoing sponsorship of English cricket.
Read more...Though the Chapoutiers had their beginnings in Tain. Michel was quick to recognize the importance of the terroir - and eager to stop selling it to Guigal and put his own name on the label. Even more important, he wanted the wine he made to reflect the terroir, not any "style" of winemaking. So at the age of 24 in 1990 he was able to get a majority share in the family winery and the rest is history, with Michel owning vineyards in many places in France and the world.
Read more...
Like their collection of boutique restaurants, this hotel also has a theme - it is meant to evoke the elegance and personalized hospitality of pre-war Mayfair. Though I wasn't around during that era, the hotel is extremely elegant and also extremely personalized. In some ways, one feels as if one is stepping inside a Merchant Ivory film. The uniforms are very evocative of some past era, and the gorgeously decorated interior is filled with pictures that seem to have captured the "popular" set of that day.
Read more...
For over the last month Harpers has been celebrating and putting the spotlight on the work independent wine merchants do and the growing importance they have on the drinks industry as part of our March for the Independents campaign.
Read more...
