Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bodegas Hidalgo releases latest en rama

Published: 04 May, 2020

Bodegas Hidalgo has announced the spring 2020 release of its La Gitana En Rama Manzanilla sherry in the UK.

UK Rías Baixas wine sales soar 42%

Published: 24 April, 2020

UK sales of wines from Rías Baixas soared by 42% last year compared to 2018, according to the latest export figures from DO Rías Baixas.

New research says ‘not all hope lost' when it comes to smoke taint

Published: 08 April, 2020

A multi-faceted, multi-agency smoke taint project, supported by the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) and funded by the Australian government, has confirmed that blending or dilution with unaffected wine can be an effective remedy for smoke-affected wine.

"Exceptional" Margaret River harvest wraps early

Published: 02 April, 2020

Low yields in the Margaret River harvest has produced fruit of “exceptional” quality with “divine concentration of aromas and flavours”, the Margaret River Wine Assocation is reporting.

Early harvest for Santa Rita as heat wave bites

Published: 31 March, 2020

A heat wave in South America has had a dramatic impact on the country’s grape harvest, according to a mid-harvest report from leading producer Santa Rita.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The winemakers that changed the world…and those that made themselves redundant

Published: 24 January, 2020

Harpers columnist Jerry Lockspeiser is the former chairman of Off Piste Wines. Lockspeiser left at the end of 2019 after ten years at the company, which he helped to grow from ‘acorn to oak tree’ after joining back in 2010. His departure follows an investment in Off Piste just before Christmas, which will take the company into a new phase of development. Lockspeiser was also involved in the founding and building of Bottle Green in 1990 and organic wine specialist Vinceremos Wines in 1985. Here, he takes a reflective look back on 15 years that changed the wine world.

Tough growing season spells drop in yields for Riverland

Published: 20 January, 2020

Hot and dry conditions have made for a tough growing season in many South Australian regions, according to the state’s Riverland where harvest has begun with early Chardonnay grapes picked for sparkling wine.

Maximum of 1% of Australia’s total vineyard area damaged by fires to date

Published: 07 January, 2020

Wine Australia has said that, while the “toll on individuals cannot be underestimated and should not be downplayed”, a review of fire maps suggests a maximum of around 1,500ha of vineyards fall within the regions affected by the current bushfires to date.

Honest Grapes in search for partners after fifth birthday

Published: 26 September, 2019

Award-winning premium wine club Honest Grapes turns five this month.

Wine can drive sustainability agenda, but thinking needs ‘generational change’

Published: 12 July, 2019

Consumers need to get behind the agricultural sector to support the true costs of sustainability, but while the wine industry is well-placed to advance this message, there is still a long way to go.

Lebanon goes back to its roots with 100% Merwah and less focus on “blingy reds”

Published: 27 June, 2019

Lebanese winemakers are delving into their history, and are now ready to expand their repertoire from "extracted, luxurious reds” to indigenous whites and terroir-driven styles, an expert on the country has said.

Tim Atkin MW: Why wines from Tenerife are special

Published: 06 June, 2019

“You’re joking,” said María Hontoria, the oenologist from the governing Cabildo de Tenerife. “I thought everyone from the UK had been here.” Her surprise was justified. Nearly six million tourists visit each year and more than a third are Brits. Tenerife is package-tour central, served by dozens of airlines bringing holidaymakers to resorts such as Playa de los Américas, but it’s also much more: a beautiful island with an intriguing history, stunning landscapes and some of Spain’s most exciting wines.

Albourne Estate bottles excess grapes for new frizzante

Published: 29 April, 2019

A Sussex estate has chosen to bottle its leftover grapes as an Italian-style fizz after last year’s super harvest meant producers were left with grapes still hanging on the vine.

Eastern promise: Bulgaria and Hungary

Published: 01 April, 2019

After a few difficult vintages in western wine countries, central and eastern Europe are piquing buyers’ interest for well-made international varieties. Countries in these regions are increasingly seen as exciting for wine drinkers, offering an array of high-quality, authentic, local grapes and good-value wines that can offer a new story for retailers and sommeliers.

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.