Analysis: Harper's survey reveals what trends may lay ahead in 2016

Looking back, 2015 was not a bad year for the trade, but it was a challenging one. But what does the future hold? We conducted a survey to find out the general feeling throughout the trade as we approach a new year. 

Insights: What's hot and what's not for retail trends in 2016?

Angela Mount reports on the retail trends that will have the greatest impact on the multiple and convenience sector in 2016

Analysis: Champagne battles for the top spot

In an ultra-competitive market within the buoyant category of sparkling wine, the world's most established and classic fizz tenaciously holds on to its market share. Anne Krebiehl MW reports

Insights: Better exchange rate, high enough quality means buying opportunities for 2014 Burgundy

Panos Kakaviatos reports on the Hospices de Beaune auction and the opportunities he found for Burgundy's 2014 vintage. He found 2015 may raise more headlines, but 2014 may offer better price/quality ratios.

New Gadget: iSommelier- the oxygenation decanting device

Decanting may soon become an act of minutes rather than hours and be controlled by an app on your phone.

Insight: Is Ribera Del Duero in Rioja's shadow?

James Lawrence asks if there is any room for Ribera Del Duero in London's crowded on-trade?

Insight: Call for multi-national campaign to help boost awareness around Monastrell

Concerns in Spain over the decline in planting of Monastrell there have led one of their leading winemakers to advocate the launch of a joint marketing campaign with the other main growers of the grape - France, Australia and California.

Insights: Turkish wine producers look to the UK as a key export market

Justin Keay, discovers some exceptional wines at last month's Wines of Turkey tasting and explores why more Turkish producers are looking at the UK as critical export market.

Analysis: Can Cava strike gold on its quest for premiumisation?

James Lawrence takes a look at Cava producers who are bucking the trend, even leaving the regional Cava designation, in an effort to produce a more premium product. But how much traction are these Cava producers getting?

Analysis: Is Burgundy is set for one of its greatest vintages?

Perhaps keen not to be outdone by Bordeaux, where hopes for 2015 are already very high, Burgundy is set for one of its greatest vintages. That, at least, is the view of Thierry Budin, president of Chateau de Santenay, which owns 98 hectares of vines across fourteen appellations of Burgundy.

Harpers 2015 Survey: A look back at 2015 and what to expect in 2016

As we approach the end of 2015 and set our sights on 2016, we thought it was an apt time to take stock of the trade and where you, our readers, think the future of drinks is headed.

Insights: Autumn tastings reveal long-term strategies for multiple retailers

Angela Mount hit many of the autumn multiple retailer tastings ahead of the Christmas trading period to get in-depth insight into each retailers different long-term strategies.

Analysis: Is the flavoured whisky and Bourbon drinks boom offensive to purists?

As flavoured whisky and Bourbon drinks sales boom, Dominic Roskrow looks at their impact on the category and how purists are coping with their popularity.

Insights: The 12 must have drams of Christmas

It's been another huge year for whisky, but how do you go about offering a comprehensive and exciting choice for your customers? Dominic Roskrow offers some advice.

Insights: What wine trends will be driving this year's festive period

et the planning, stock, marketing and sales mix right and Christmas should deliver a bumper season, with a sales uplift over the extended period that, for many, can come close to matching the take for the rest of the year. Conversely, though, at its most extreme, depressed or underperforming, Christmas trading can seriously impact on the ongoing health of a business. Which is why it is so important to make the most of this seasonal drinkfest.

Insights: Retailers' Christmas strategies revealed

Analysis: Spirits brands set to make the most of Christmas trading period

With the 12 weeks leading up to Christmas the most crucial for all in the drinks trade, Erin Smith looks at how the spirits sector fares at this time of year.

Analysis: Greatest Champagne vintage for 70 years?

Geoffery Dean gets the inside scoop on this year's harvest from some of the iconic Champagne houses

Analysis: Gavin Quinney weighs in on the Bordeaux harvest 2015 and how the 'rule of five' may come into play

As the harvest draws to a close in Bordeaux, Gavin Quinney talks us through the early predictions and explains why the 'Bordeaux rule of five' is likely to come into play this year

Insights: Australian wines move away from French varietals

Australian winemakers have long been moving away from hefty, high alcohol wines towards less oaked, cooler climate wines, with the growth of Pinot Grigio from Mornington Peninsular a prime example. However, the trend to also move away from the once overwhelming focus on French varietals seems to be growing.