Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

BBR continues to roll with thirst for sake

Published: 08 May, 2024

Berry Bros. & Rudd is to repeat its en primeur sake offer this year, reflecting the ongoing growth in this spirits category.

Long Read: Grand Cercle boss on the steps to save Bordeaux

Published: 15 April, 2024

The ‘future’ of Bordeaux was on show in London last week at the Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux, as the region continues to weather the storms of climate change and downward pricing pressures.

Majestic re-enter En Primeur market with Bordeaux ‘21 campaign

Published: 14 July, 2022

After a fourteen year absence; the UK’s largest specialist retailer, Majestic, is reentering the en primeur market with a new campaign for Bordeaux’s 2021 vintage.

Soapbox: Bordeaux’s cold war

Published: 08 July, 2021

Château Bauduc owner Gavin Quinney ponders an intractable issue for frost-impacted producers up against the strictures of Bordeaux

Bordeaux en primeur report 2020

Published: 17 June, 2021

Is 2020 another top Bordeaux vintage and what are the chances of a strong en primeur campaign after the success of the 2019s? Gavin Quinney, our man in Bordeaux, reports

Bordeaux trading rises on US tariff suspension ahead of 2020 EP campaign

Published: 19 April, 2021

Market sentiment towards Bordeaux is “showing signs of recovery” as this year’s En Primeur campaign swings around, according to the Liv-ex members’ Bordeaux report released today.

Bordeaux Index sales top $125m

Published: 12 January, 2021

Fine wine and spirits merchant Bordeaux Index has recorded over $125m in total sales in 2020.

‘Compressed’ Bordeaux 2019 EP campaign sees prices 30% lower

Published: 11 June, 2020

As Bordeaux’s top estates continue to trickle their 2019 releases onto the market, prices are typically 15-30% down on 2018, with around two thirds of prices now declared.

Liv-Ex unveils plans for coverage of ‘unusual’ Bordeaux EP campaign

Published: 28 May, 2020

With the Bordeaux 2019 En Primeur campaign beginning to unfold in an “unusual manner” with virtual tastings and postponed releases, Liv-Ex has begun to roll out adapted coverage with the publication of its opening report, Bordeaux 2019: the value of time.

New sustainability drive and HQ announced at ‘virtual’ Sicilia EP event

Published: 20 May, 2020

As Italy began its cautious lifting of lockdown, the annual Sicilia En Primeur event took the form of a virtual global webinar late last week, where organiser Assovini presented to many of those that would have attended the planned conference in Cefalù.

The Wine Society adds Australian wine to En Primeur offer

Published: 01 May, 2020

The Wine Society has added Torbreck's The Steading 2018 to its portfolio, making the first time the business has offered an Australian wine En Primeur.

The Wine Society claims a first with Austrian En Primeur launch

Published: 22 April, 2020

The Wine Society has launched what it claims to be the world’s first Austrian En Primeur offer in the shape of a white wine duo from Schloss Gobelsburg.

Volumes at Rathfinny set to double as it launches first en primeur campaign

Published: 20 November, 2019

Rathfinny has launched its first ever en primeur campaign via its Classic Cuvée, which is being positioned as a more accessible entry point to the Sussex estate’s premium range.

The week that was

Published: 10 May, 2019

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, here’s a review of the top online news, analysis, opinion and features.

Bordeaux 2018 EP report & Gavin Quinney's Top 100

Published: 09 May, 2019

Gavin Quinney delivers his annual insights and scores (see below) on the Bordeaux 2018 vintage for a year he describes as “extraordinary”.

Stannary St Wine Co moves top end Italian release to en primeur model

Published: 28 March, 2019

Stannary St Wine Co has moved its annual Italian release of its top end producers to an en primeur sales model on the back of the "meteoric popularity of Italian wines".

“Short-sighted” Bordeaux En Primeur strategies leave little to no value for the trade

Published: 29 June, 2018

A “lack of wines priced attractively” has been blamed for a less than successful 2017 Bordeaux campaign.

Trade predicts En Primeur price drop while academic study estimates rise

Published: 26 April, 2018

There is little consensus about En Primeur prices this year with the wine trade predicting a drop while the latest academic study expects a price rise.

Farr Vintners reports strong trading

Published: 21 December, 2017

Fine wine trader Farr Vintners has reported its turnover for 2017 is up 25.5% hitting £96M.

Flint Wines to balance 2016 shortages with older Burgundy vintage

Published: 18 October, 2017

Burgundy specialists in the UK are having to re-think their en primeur formats this year after 2016’s weather woes meant that allocation in certain appellations are ‘tiny’.