Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spain report: Spain’s innovators

Published: 29 September, 2026

Spanish expert Sarah Jane Evans MW presents a personal selection of just some of the many great winemakers driving the scene forward.

Spain report: Championing Spain

Published: 28 September, 2026

Speaking to specialists across the trade (including representatives from the import sector, the media, and the on- and off-trades), Harpers discovers that there’s plenty to be excited about in the Spanish wine category, with excellence across all the region’s diverse landscapes.

Spain report: The evolving face of Rioja

Published: 23 September, 2026

The closing gala dinner of Rioja’s year-long centenary celebrations was by any measure a glittering affair. With the Consejo introducing its renewed dynamism by way of Raquel Pérez Cuevas, the first female president in its history, the extraordinary number of aged, high-end wines poured also pushed home the message that this region can stand tall in the world. And, having long been defined by the tensions between tradition and budding modernity, the vibe was that Rioja today is more fully embracing its diversity and thus full potential.

Spain report: The latest stats on Rioja DOCa

Published: 21 September, 2026

The UK remains a hugely significant export territory for Rioja, leading the world in its thirst for the wines of this DOCa. But what is being drunk is changing, with the increasing focus on terroir and the breadth of wines – beyond the more traditional styles in the old barrel-aged hierarchy – beginning to make their mark as recognition for the region’s diversity grows.

Global bulk wine exports decline 11.8% year on year

Published: 17 September, 2026

Data from the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) can reveal that the bulk wine category has faced continued declines in exports over the past year – falling 11.8% in value for the 12 months following April 2025.

Unusual Suspects: Spain's indigenous wealth

Published: 19 August, 2026

Remember when Spain was associated with just a handful of familiar names? That feels like another era today. In 2026, an ever-broader kaleidoscope of indigenous grapes and emerging regions is appearing on restaurant wine lists and the shelves of specialist merchants, reflecting a country that has matured considerably since the 20th century. Meanwhile, consumers are embracing fresher styles, seeking wines with moderate alcohol levels – Mencía fits the bill perfectly – and a stronger sense of place. As a result, Spain’s growing diversity is no longer simply an exciting point of difference. It has become a decisive commercial advantage, as Godello, Bobal and Palomino no longer elicit bafflement from consumers.

El Reventón mourns damage to top San Gregorio vineyard

Published: 05 August, 2026

Gredos producer El Reventón has confirmed the extent of the damage to its San Gregorio vineyard following the horrific recent wildfires to the west of Madrid.

Tim Atkin elected chair of Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino

Published: 23 July, 2026

Wine writer and Harpers columnist Tim Atkin MW has been elected new chair of Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino (GOCV).

Top Txakoli producer Astobiza joins Alliance portfolio

Published: 30 June, 2026

Importer Alliance Wine has unveiled the latest addition to its portfolio – Basque winery Astobiza. The single estate producer is known for its premium Txakoli wines.

Marta Vidal elected president of Cava DO

Published: 12 June, 2026

Marta Vidal has been elected as the new president of the Cava Designation of Origin for the next four years, the first woman to attain the position.

Spanish wine celebrates UK success as new Caballeros inducted

Published: 05 June, 2026

Three industry heavyweights have been welcomed into the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino, recognised for their landmark contribution to Spanish wine.

Tourism: Rioja surpassed 1 million visitors in 2025

Published: 12 May, 2026

DOCa Rioja has revealed that it received 1.16 million wine tourism visitors in 2025. This figure represents a 5% uplift compared to 2024.

Lagar de Fornelos: Rioja ageing nous for Galician whites

Published: 20 April, 2026

At Shoreditch’s buzzy Legado, Olga Verde (pictured), technical director of La Rioja Alta-owned Rías Baixas estate Lagar de Fornelos, guided Harpers through the winery’s latest vintages. This included the second vintage of the super-premium Lindeiros wine, which highlighted the ageability of these whites from this region.

Top Cava producer Juvé & Camps set to jump ship to Corpinnat

Published: 02 April, 2026

Juvé & Camps are set to leave DO Cava and join the Corpinnat association, increasing the latter’s membership to 22.

Madrid set to gain its first international wine fair

Published: 25 March, 2026

A new international wine fair is launching this May in Madrid. The Spanish capital will play host to ‘WINEMAD’ which seeks to “become one of the new global meeting points for the industry”.

The rise of white Rioja

Published: 20 March, 2026

Exclamations of ¡Un vinazo! resounded into the evening at last week’s third annual edition of the ‘The Best of Rioja’ tasting held in London (9 March), with on-trend Rioja blanco stealing much of the limelight.

Erupting popularity: Spain’s island wines

Published: 20 March, 2026

It’s a sunny afternoon in early November and tourist traffic is building along Lanzarote’s famed La Geria wine route, running through the island’s eerie lunar-like volcanic landscape.

In the DOC: Celebrating Rioja at 100

Published: 06 March, 2026

“This is a very important moment for us, Rioja is my home, I was born here… but also here we have the honour for me to represent over 600 wineries and 13,000 growers,” said Raquel Pérez Cuevas (pictured, left) at DOCa Rioja’s closing gala to its 100-year celebratory 12 months. “A century is not just about looking back with pride, but thinking what has brought us here and from this learning to understand more about how to create our future.”

Henkell Freixenet secures 100% ownership of Freixenet

Published: 04 March, 2026

Sparkling wine giant Henkell Freixenet has unveiled it now has full ownership of Freixenet SA, becoming its sole shareholder.

Five wines gain top Cava designation

Published: 03 March, 2026

DO Cava has announced that five new wines have received the ‘Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado’ designation, the premier Cava categorisation the body gives out.