Q&A: Piotr Pietras MS, independent wine consultant and SITT On-Trade Ambassador

Piotr Pietras MS, former director of wine at London’s Hide, has taken on the newly-created role of on-trade ambassador for SITT (Specialist Importer Trade Tastings). Harpers caught up with him about his plans for the role and for tips on the on-trade wine scene too.

UK still ‘litmus test’ as global benchmark for wine brands

The UK market continues to be the shop window for the world of wine, with the on-trade driving premium sales. 

Ruinart offers once in a lifetime trip to top UK sommelier

Time is running out to sign up for the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2019, which will result in one young UK-based sommelier heading on an all-expenses paid trip to Champagne.

Aussie backstop will safeguard Australian wine exports post-Brexit

Australia will continue to trade with the UK, its biggest export market by volume and third by value, on its current terms post-Brexit.

Concha y Toro UK rings in bumper Christmas as supermarkets break sales records

Temperatures were unseasonably mild over Christmas, and from the latest results, it looks like things were unexpectedly cosy for UK retail.

Liberty pushes into new frontiers ahead of Brexit

An English winemaker, a French winemaker and an Italian winemaker walk into a winebar.

New Zealand's evolving vinous landscape

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

Spotlight on 2020: Doug Wregg, Les Cave de Pyrene

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Hatch Mansfield signs distribution deal for Gaja

Hatch Mansfield has signed a deal as the exclusive UK agent for the Gaja family, marking the first Italian producer to join its portfolio

Looking ahead: Stephen Finch, Vagabond Wines

Once again we are catching up with the trade to find out how businesses looked to make the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Andrew Lundy, MD, Vino

Once again we are catching up with the trade to find out how businesses made the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Robin Copestick, MD, Copestick Murray

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Miles McInnes, Jascots Wine Merchants

Once again we are catching up with the trade over the next few weeks to find out how businesses are making the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Diageo targets new Scotch fans with voice-activated tech

The traditional world of Scotch whisky and Amazon’s voice-activated Alexa system are due to collide this Christmas.

Neil Ellis joins Gonzalez Byass UK

Looking ahead: Andrew Johnson, Woodwinters

Tumultuous political times are offering an interesting backdrop to our latest Looking Ahead series.

Rhône wines shine in the US

Sales of Rhône wines continue to decline in traditional markets, while the US east coast is showing “unprecedented levels of consumer interest,” according to leading sommeliers.

Rioja picks its leading lights for night of celebration

Raul Diaz, Bar 44 and Corks Out were some of the big winners at last night’s Rioja Recognises awards, which singles out the top ambassadors flying the flag for Spain’s flagship wine region.

Educators from UK to India celebrated in WSET nominations

Educators which have taken up the WSET mantle to bring wine and spirits education to the world are being celebrated today following nominations for 2018.

Edinburgh Gin plans multi-million-pound distillery

Edinburgh Gin has unveiled plans to invest in a new multi-million-pound distillery in Edinburgh city centre.