Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Cava partners with molecular food-and-wine expert

Published: 29 November, 2019

The Cava DO has partnered with Canadian sommelier and molecular scientist François Chartier to map the international food-pairing ability of its wines.

Jascots strengthens team with former Sommelier of the Year

Published: 11 November, 2019

On-trade distributor Jascots Wine Merchants has appointed former Galvin’s head sommelier and wine buyer Andrea Briccarello to its new business team.

Jamie Goode to lead vinous journey through Bourgogne

Published: 25 October, 2019

Wine guru Jamie Goode will be hosting a one-off masterclass and blind tasting to delve deep into the vinous roots of Bourgogne, Harpers can reveal.

Tech: Bringing AI to independents

Published: 02 October, 2019

How can smaller stores compete with the sprawling technology departments and deep machine learning capabilities of giants such as Amazon and Walmart? NextOrbit’s small business networks might provide an answer, writes Jo Gilbert

Tim Atkin MW: Canary in the global coalmine

Published: 05 August, 2019

“Phew. What A Scorcher!” I’m old enough to remember June 1976, when we had 15 consecutive days above 32°C. The Sun’s headline captured some of the excitement I felt as a teenager. In those days British summers were frequently cool, overcast affairs and all of a sudden Kent felt like the Costa Brava. What was scorching then seems almost temperate now. Last week Cambridge sweated through the second hottest day ever at 38.1°C, just behind Faversham’s UK record of 38.5°C in August 2003.

JF Hillebrand celebrates 175 years with leaps forward in sustainability and tech

Published: 22 July, 2019

JF Hillebrand is currently celebrating nearly two centuries of connecting wine and spirits with consumers, from its humble beginnings in Germany to one of the world’s largest logistics providers.

International spirits industry unites behind new global body

Published: 10 July, 2019

Many of the world’s leading spirits producers have partnered to create a new global organisation for the industry, it was announced in Geneva yesterday.

UNESCO adds Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene as World Heritage Site

Published: 09 July, 2019

The Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene has become the 55th Italian site to be added to the World Heritage register, UNESCO has announced.

Diageo reveals GB World Class finalists

Published: 31 May, 2019

Diageo Reserve has revealed the names of the 20 British bartenders who will compete for its GB World Class bartender of the year 2019 award.

‘Temperature crisis’ could lead to a major re-shuffle of global wine production and demand

Published: 13 May, 2019

Vinegrowing and winemaking worldwide could look very different in the next 30 years, a climate change expert has announced, as the planet accelerates towards a temperature crisis fifty years earlier than expected.

UK’s top 100 bartenders announced

Published: 11 April, 2019

Diageo Reserve has announced its 2019 World Class Top 100 bartenders, putting the spotlight on the best and brightest of the UK bar world.

Diageo World Class strips out semi-finals for “streamlined” admissions

Published: 15 March, 2019

Diageo Reserve has taken out several steps in the admissions process for its World Class bartender competition, promising to make it easier than ever for up and coming talent to apply.

Tim Atkin MW: Celebrating Creole

Published: 01 March, 2019

Compiling a list of the 10 best red and white grapes is an entertaining parlour game for consenting wine lovers. Should Chardonnay trump Riesling and Chenin Blanc? And what about Cabernet Sauvignon? Better or worse than Pinot Noir, Grenache or Nebbiolo? I’ve played this dozens of times around the world and the results differ more than you’d think. Yet some varieties never make the podium. There are more than 5,000 to choose from, but no one ever finds room for Aligoté, Dornfelder or Seyval Blanc.

Bulk selling in a digital world

Published: 19 February, 2019

The launch of a new trading platform for the drinks trade promises to disrupt existing business models. Jo Gilbert investigates

Looking ahead: Ian Harris MBE, chief executive, WSET

Published: 14 December, 2018

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

Educators from UK to India celebrated in WSET nominations

Published: 19 November, 2018

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.

Europe ups its craft game as new leader of NPD

Published: 06 November, 2018

Europe is reclaiming its reputation as the hub of the beer world as it overtakes the US as the biggest driver of NPD in the craft segment. Jo Gilbert looks at the re-emergence of the world’s oldest beer market.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why companies with a lot to lose usually do

Published: 19 October, 2018

“In today's fast-paced world, leaders need to move at speed. The rate of innovation and change in organisations and the challenges of impatient investors or shareholders mean leadership decisions must be quick, smart and deliver real impact. “

Greek whites having their time to shine

Published: 29 June, 2018

Malagousia, Vidiano, Kidonitsa, Savatiano and Moscofilero may yet be unfamiliar names to some, but arguably they represent the emerging chorus of indigenous Greek white wines ready to take centre stage with Assyrtiko.