Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spain Report: Talking sherry and terroir

Published: 28 October, 2024

Ellie Scott looks at how sherry’s evolving legislation, style and focus on terroir is impacting category perception in the UK.

Headline Heroes: Rioja and a return to roots

Published: 23 October, 2024

Despite the still-popular image among consumers of Rioja as a ready-to-drink offer of easygoing charm, born of multi-regional blending and generous American oak, evolution in the region and its style is by no means a new-fangled thing. Finca Allende (the name means ‘further’) was arguably the most powerful precursor of the modern face of Rioja, bringing in single vineyard focus on terroir, coupled with the likes of new French oak and 100% Tempranillo in its top cuvée, as far back as the tail end of the last century.

Austria sets legal precedent for single vineyards

Published: 21 August, 2023

Austria has officially established the legal basis for a new classification of single vineyards, which will now see plots divided into two camps: Erste Lage (premier cru) and Große Lage (grand cru).

Jeroboams ups Argentine reach with Achaval Ferrer

Published: 15 March, 2023

Leading Argentine producer Achaval Ferrer has joined Jeroboams, which will now act as its exclusive UK agent.

Rioja's white exports grow, but overall market dips

Published: 23 November, 2022

The growth of Rioja’s white wines is paying dividends for the region in the export market, finally making good on a promise that the DO is able to diversify its portfolio abroad. However, things are looking a little less rosy globally in 2022, with uncertainty in various key markets leading exports to take a tumble.

Time of change for Rioja

Published: 04 November, 2021

Ambitious producers are relying on forgotten grape varieties and modern techniques to add new dimensions to Spain’s best-known wine region, as Justin Keay reports.

Bancroft takes on distribution of Juliet Victor Tokaj

Published: 09 September, 2021

Bancroft Wines has teamed up with Tokaj producer Juliet Victor for the UK distribution of its single vineyard Furmints and sweet wines.

Austrian Wine claims first with digital wine atlas

Published: 21 June, 2021

The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (Austrian Wine) has launched a digital atlas of wine origins, marking what it claims to be the first covering an entire wine-producing country.

Long Read: Talking terroir in Spain

Published: 03 June, 2021

Priorat has taken a bold step in committing itself to a hierarchical classification of terroir.

New Zealand's evolving vinous landscape

Published: 10 January, 2019

New Zealand’s wine scene has come a long way since its inception in the 1970s. Jamie Goode meets the personalities driving change in leading region Marlborough

Rioja directs coffers on global promotional spend and single village clarity for 2018

Published: 16 January, 2018

The Rioja Control Board is continuing to invest heavily in its marketing activity in 12 key countries, including the UK.

Resurrecting premium Rioja

Published: 15 September, 2017

With debate rumbling on about Rioja’s new single vineyard and village classification, Andrew Catchpole caught up with Araex’s Javier Galarreta, one of the key architects behind the changes