Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

At a time when the issue of alcohol consumption is generating more heat than light in parts of the press it's been instructive to uncover some facts and figures that tell a rather different picture about what the public really think.

This Week: A wine that helps hangovers, Champagne on the chopping board and Benny Hill's sommelier antics

Published: 18 January, 2007

Lots to talk about this week in Harpers' YouTube and quirkies round-up

In fear of the tasting lunch

Published: 18 January, 2007

One of the crushing side-effects of giving up an annual wine guide and a weekly wine column - both, if you recall, called Superplonk- is that I no longer have to taste 10,000 supermarket wines a year and face those challenging post-tasting lunches.

My View: I worry Rioja may lose its distinctiveness

Published: 18 January, 2007

In June 2007, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture substantially increased the list of permitted varieties.

My View: Regionality is limited by trade and consumer ability

Published: 18 January, 2007

Regionality is one of those terms that transcend criticism.

A wake-up call for marketers

Published: 18 January, 2007

So many wine marketers have missed their calling.

This week: The breast way to drink wine, an original decanting method and a smashing example of sabrage

Published: 18 January, 2007

Lots to talk about this week in Harpers' YouTube and quirkies round-up

Time for a reality check

Published: 18 January, 2007

The recent optimism around the news that cost of making wine would be rising across the board would be heart-warming, if it wasn't also so utterly misplaced.

This week: Godzilla markets Chardonnay, Borat tries his hand at wine tasting and Tony Blair's whisky cures toothache

Published: 18 January, 2007

Lots to talk about this week in Harpers' YouTube and quirkies round-up.

My View: Climate change issue must be dealt with

Published: 18 January, 2007

The meeting of the intergovernmental panel on climate change in Valencia and also in Bali has confirmed that climate change is a fact and that humans are responsible for it.

This week: The Mollydooker shake arrives, Johnnie Walker is beheaded and a novel way to pour wine

Published: 18 January, 2007

Lots to talk about this week in our YouTube and quirkies round-up.

Fighting Our Corner

Published: 18 January, 2007

As we finalise the WSTA Budget Submission 2008, a nagging voice at the back of my mind asks, "Really, what is the point?".

My View: Organic is the way forward

Published: 18 January, 2007

This year marks the 21st anniversary for Vintage Roots, the organic and biodynamic wine specialist distribution company I set up with Neil Palmer in 1986.

My View: LIWF offers balanced, diverse selection

Published: 18 January, 2007

James (Letters, Harpers, January 11) will be disappointed to learn that none of his suggestions are to be adopted at the 2008 London International Wine Fair.

Jago shows who's boss

Published: 18 January, 2007

This column has come in for its fair share of approbrium and praise but never, until now, has it been said that reading it would make anyone think of God.