Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Jerry Lockspeiser: Is this wine’s fake news?

Published: 16 August, 2019

August is traditionally silly season in the media. Nothing serious happens, so they entertain us with the frivolities of life. This year is a little different.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Damned if we do, damned if we don’t

Published: 26 July, 2019

Over breakfast in a lovely B&B in Corbridge, an ideal overnight stop before the last leg of our cycling trip along Hadrian’s Wall, the conversation turned to alcohol consumption in Scotland. One of our group, Paul, a qualified doctor and psychiatrist, was expounding the virtues of Minimum Unit Pricing as a weapon to fight the scourge of alcohol abuse amongst the Scottish poor.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why wine brands are here to stay

Published: 24 June, 2019

Branded wines beware! Man your defences! Private Labels are on the march, and they are coming to get you.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Your wine probably does not exist

Published: 23 May, 2019

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?”

Jerry Lockspeiser: What’s the cost of a decent bottle of wine?

Published: 17 March, 2019

The You and Yours programme on BBC Radio 4 recently ran a piece in which a £7.50 Chinese wine in Sainsbury’s was described by the interviewer as “cheap and cheerful”. A flurry of listeners comments followed, aghast that £7.50 should be thought cheap. Many were paying £4-5, unable to afford more, and generally happy with what they were buying. One listener said his wine buff family members couldn’t tell the difference between his £4-5 wines and more expensive ones anyway.

Jerry Lockspeiser: How to win in uncertain times

Published: 15 February, 2019

If we have heard it once we have heard it a thousand times: Business needs clarity to plan.

Jerry Lockspeiser: 2019 - The year 'better' wine died

Published: 17 January, 2019

For the last few years one of my nieces has been developing her clothes retail business. She now has four outlets, three in London and one in Barcelona. She sells vintage clothes, along with a smattering of modern stuff and some accessories.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Wine needs to project values – not vineyard soil type - to be heard

Published: 22 November, 2018

Forgive me if the opening to this month’s piece seems a little self-indulgent, even self-congratulatory. It is not meant to be. It is just my personal example of the topic I want to highlight, one that should be a huge opportunity for the wine sector.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why we should pay attention to Adrian Chiles

Published: 13 September, 2018

Adrian Chiles’ engaging documentary ‘Drinkers like Me’, broadcast on August 27th on BBC2, probably did more to encourage UK consumers to think about how much they are drinking, and why, than any number of initiatives by Drinkaware or the rigid strait jackets imposed by the Portman Group.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Are wine drinkers being duped?

Published: 23 July, 2018

So, it’s au revoir to Monsieur Paillard, for 20 years the President of the Commission for the Protection of Champagne. He has thrown his toys out of the pram at the news that Champagne Palmer has signed an exclusive distribution deal in the US with Constellation Brand’s fine wine division.

Jerry Lockspieser: Selling equity in your business - great for growth or dancing with the devil?

Published: 26 June, 2018

Much is being written these days about consumers wanting authenticity, honesty and transparency in the products they buy, and the companies they buy them from. The news from across the drinks aisle that craft brewer Beavertown has sold an undisclosed minority stake to corporate giant Heineken for £40m raises interesting questions in this arena.

Jerry Lockspeiser: It’s time to treat drinkers like adults

Published: 28 March, 2018

What have Kevin the Carrot, a wine called Sex, and Anything But Chardonnay got in common? Answer: They’ve all been banned.

Jerry Lockspeiser: What wine would you drink in an igloo?

Published: 26 January, 2018

During November and December last year, a skiing inspired pop-up appeared on London’s Southbank near the Festival Hall. Close to the skate boarders and overlooking the river Thames, Jimmy’s Lodge featured an outside bar and grill, inside restaurant and three heated Private Dining Igloos (or Snow Globes) for 6-10 people.

Enough of the Millennials, what about us?

Published: 18 December, 2017

It is with us at last. The wonderful Christmas and New Year period when wine drinkers empty their wallets and flash their contactless cards with gay abandon. Filling their cars, kitchens and cellars with bottles, these treasured consumers keep our businesses afloat, at least for a few more months.

Jerry Lockspeiser: How to stop wine’s race to the bottom

Published: 24 October, 2017

Many years ago, one of the UK’s biggest retailers used Reverse eAuctions to source entry point wine from Eastern Europe. Their annual contract to supply fixed quantities of different wines was at stake. The volumes were huge. It was a thrilling but deflating experience.

Jerry Lockspeiser: How to sell wine

Published: 24 August, 2017

What’s the most thing important thing when selling wine? Is it the best quality? The best price? The most unique product? The best story? The most compelling packaging?

Jerry Lockspeiser: Marketing - saint or devil?

Published: 13 March, 2017

Two packets of Paracetamol, both 500mg and 16 in a box, with the same usage instructions. Both Boots brands. The pills in the red and white box are in tablet form. It costs 25p. The pills in the classier blue and white box are caplets - tablets in capsule shape with a groove in the middle. It costs 49p.

Jerry Lockspeiser: That's your bloody GDP. Not ours.

Published: 10 February, 2017

Mark Carney, the Governor of the Bank of England, recently announced an increase in the annual growth forecast for the UK economy from 1.4% to 2%. But things may not be as good as they sound.

Jerry Lockspeiser on 2017: Something or nothing?

Published: 20 January, 2017

January. The beginning of a better year. That's what we hope. However good or bad 2016 was personally, for our families, our businesses, and people in other places, we are hardwired to aim for better.

Jerry Lockspeiser: A great time to be in wine

Published: 14 December, 2016

I don't want to be a siren of gloom. After all Christmas is the time for good cheer. But we are racing towards the end of a year where disruptive global events - Brexit, Trump, Aleppo - have shaken our feelings of security.