Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Q&A: Ana Sapungiu, head buyer, Oddbins

Published: 11 October, 2013

Ana Sapungiu talks to Anne Krebiehl about Oddbins' new consumer-engagement "holiday wine" initiative and how the retailer is in double-digit growth

Q&A: Roberto Della Pietra, head sommelier, Tirage Champagne et Plats

Published: 10 October, 2013

Roberto Della Pietra talks to Anne Krebiehl about the exclusively sparkling offer at Tirage Champagne et Plats, opening in London in November

Anne Krebiehl goes back in time with New Zealand's Rippon Vineyards

Published: 03 October, 2013

You rarely meet pioneers in 2013, but in the wine world it is still possible to encounter people who broke new ground. To taste their wines is a privilege. Yesterday's vertical of Rippon Vineyards Pinot Noir with vintages going back to 1990, presented by Lea & Sandeman, was a taste of early Central Otago viticulture, the 1990 being only the second commercial vintage coming from this stunning vineyard on the shore of Lake Wanaka.

Wiener Gemischter Satz becomes Austria's ninth designated DAC

Published: 21 August, 2013

Following the successful creation of eight DACs (Districtus Austriae Controllatus), an official classification designating origin, grape variety and flavour profile of the wine, the historic Wiener Gemischter Satz has become the latest DAC under Austrian wine law.

Q&A: Ken Forrester and Rollo Gabb

Published: 12 August, 2013

Rollo Gabb, managing director of Journey's End Vineyards in Stellenbosch and first chairman of the Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa (PIWOSA) and co-founder Ken...

Blog: Anne Krebiehl on why 'Cab is king'

Published: 28 June, 2013

Cab is King - it was with that assertion that André van Rensburg, winemaker at South Africa's prestige estate Vergelegen, invited sommeliers and journalists to taste a vertical of his flagship wine "V" and seven barrel samples of 2012 wines that could - potentially - end up in the blend for the 2012 "V".

The List: The Anchor at Walberswick, Suffolk

Published: 04 June, 2013

Anne Krebiehl on 'comfort seaside food' and a wide drinks choice at the Anchor at Walberswick

Anne Krebiehl: A new dawn for South African Chenin Blanc?

Published: 22 May, 2013

Leading South African Chenin Blanc producer Kleine Zalze of Stellenbosch convened a "Chenin Blanc Style Council" over dinner at the Orrery last week.

Anne Krebiehl on the McGuigan Bin Series 9000

Published: 10 May, 2013

Rarely have food and wine been so well matched as on Tuesday evening at Alyn Williams at the Westbury Hotel for the Neil McGuigan dinner, which presented 10 vintages of Hunter Valley Semillon from 2003 to 2012.

Anne Krebiehl: A first impression of 2012 Bordeaux

Published: 08 April, 2013

Another year, another en primeur campaign. No longer are these the heady days of feverish speculation - both the market and a comedown from the hailed 2009 and 2010 vintages have steered the situation back into the real world, where this strange and intricate market mechanism of courtiers, négociants and "la place" insists on existing for another year.

The List: The Providores

Published: 05 April, 2013

Anne Krebiehl navigates the 99% Kiwi wine list at London's Providores and Tapa Room

Catching up with the new wine team at Harrods

Published: 05 April, 2013

Anne Krebiehl catches up with the new wine team at Harrods and hears how the double act are looking to turn customers' heads in the wine aisles

Anne Krebiehl on wines from Pfalz

Published: 21 March, 2013

The notion that Germans allegedly don't have a sense of humour was severely tested last Thursday night: Markus Schneider, a young winemaker from Germany's sunny Pfalz region, was in London to present his unusual wines alongside a specially designed menu at Vinoteca Marylebone.

Anne Krebiehl reports from the Wine Institute of California's Cool Climate Pinot Noir Seminar

Published: 19 March, 2013

Is it possible to discuss Californian Pinot Noir without mentioning the "S" word? Apparently not, since the packed audience at Monday's Cool Climate Pinot Noir Seminar, held at the California Annual Tasting in Westminster, was treated to a video message by Rex Pickett, author of the notorious Pinot flick Sideways.

Italy breaks out from Pinot Grigio's shadow

Published: 15 March, 2013

As a challenging harvest across Italy 'rocks the Pinot Grigio boat', now is the time to look towards the myriad indigenous alternatives, says Anne Krebiehl

Anne Krebiehl reports back from wine auction Premiere Napa Valley-style

Published: 26 February, 2013

You have to hand it to the Americans - when they take an idea and run with it, it's going to be bigger, better and faster. Premiere Napa Valley, or to call it by its full name "The Napa Valley Vintners Barrel Auction for the Wine Trade" is just that, a wine auction with bells on.

The List: Boundary Restaurant

Published: 15 February, 2013

Christopher Delalonde MS brings the classics to Boundary's wine list and pushes quality at an affordable price

New Zealand gets itself back on track

Published: 01 February, 2013

After a harvest shortfall in 2012, New Zealand may be struggling to cater for consumer demand, but winemakers are remaning positive and taking a long-term view, as Anne Krebiehl discovers

Anne Krebiehl blogs from the launch of Dom Pérignon Rosé 2002

Published: 30 January, 2013

The suspension of disbelief - willing ourselves to be credulous is sometimes essential when we want to be entertained. When the entertainment is the launch of the 2002 vintage of Dom Pérignon Rosé in one of London's best small museums, we are easily persuaded to forego reality for a while.

Anne Krebiehl blogs from The Wine Barn's annual tasting

Published: 23 January, 2013

We Londoners are lucky. We can see screen legends on our West End stages, hear virtuoso musicians of every genre in our concert venues and look at Holbeins, Raphaels and Monets or the latest installations any day of the week. A steady flow of temporary exhibitions means everyone - yes everyone- can look at Gauguin, van Gogh or Brueghel. No, I am not sponsored by Boris or the Arts Council. I am just reminded how great it is to get to see, taste and experience originals. That's presumably why so many braved the weather for The Wine Barn's Annual Trade Tasting at the German House in Belgravia on Monday.