Think Whisky 2018: Wising up to whisky

Despite being the second biggest spirits category in the UK, accounting for 21% of sales (Nielsen/CGA, year to June 2018), big opportunities exist for whisk(e)y if it can grow engagement with women and younger adults, who currently shy away from the category.

South African producers thirst for English fizz

Two prominent South African wine estates are adding to the roster of overseas interest in English winemaking with plans to produce sparkling wine in the UK, Harpers has learned.

Rioja 10x10 to make a triumphant return

Harpers is once again partnering with Rioja 10x10, bringing yet great opportunity to discover of Rioja’s top wines and key trends.

Oxford, Cambridge and Hennings ramp up joint buying initiative with first own label release

What do The Oxford Wine Company, Cambridge Wine Merchants and Hennings Wine have in common?

Tim Atkin MW: Critical times for Argentina

Every year at the end of my tour of Argentina, I sit down with Dr Nicolas Catena of Bodega Catena Zapata. He wants to talk about wine – new bodegas and regions, the latest vintage – while I want to talk about economics, his speciality. Before he became one of the leading figures in the Argentinian wine industry, Catena was a top academic and is still enormously perceptive.

UK one of the most “mature” markets for alcohol online, despite accounting for less than 10% of sales

The UK is at the forefront of selling wine online thanks to well-established specialist wine retailers such as Majestic and The Wine Society, new research has revealed.

Harpers Wine Stars goes live online

Our brand new website for Harpers Wine Stars has launched, making it easier than ever to be in with a chance of grabbing one of our fantastic buyer-focused awards.

Pernod Ricard plugs Scotch growth back into NPD with new launch

Pernod Ricard is capitalising on encouraging growth in the Scotch category with the launch of its new Chivas XV.

Pernod hails dynamic UK growth

Pernod Ricard has revealed “strong results” for the most recent financial year, while chalking up 6% growth in the UK.

Rhône coops chase cru margins to balance tough market

Rhône Valley cooperatives are on a mission to premiumise their offering, as market pressures mean they can “no longer compete with the New World at £3 a bottle”.

Premium spirits worth 40% more to the on-trade at Christmas

The shift to premium spirits has happened and is here to stay, opening up a multimillion pound opportunity for the UK’s bars and restaurants this festive season.

Looking ahead: Richard Cochrane, Félix Solís UK

Cognac sets new export record

Cognac exports have achieved their fourth consecutive year of growth, driven by continued thirst for the historic French brandy in the US.

Gin exports on track to reach £600m in 2018

The UK has further cemented its status as the largest exporter of gin in the world with yet another record-breaking start to the year.

Why the Rhône’s white evolution is gathering pace

The Rhône Valley is not – predominantly – known for its whites.

Wine set to help global alcohol consumption to reach £830bn by 2022

A relatively sunny outlook is being forecast for the global alcohol industry over the next five years, with the wine set to see the largest portion of growth.

A smarter way to sell

Jo Gilbert connects with the businesses aiming to bring the convenience, value and focus of online shopping to bricks-and-mortar stores

Royal Wedding and hot weather boost online BWS sales

Online sales of beer, wines and spirits were up 27.3% YoY in March 2018, new data has revealed.

Liberty backs Spurrier and Boisset’s Indian wine collaborations

Indian wine could be the next big thing if a new collaboration between a number of industry heavyweights is anything to go by.

Malbec rising

Far from suffering from its mass appeal, Argentina’s flagship grape is heading for the next level. Andrew Catchpole reports