Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Penfolds ventures into NFTs with Magill Cellar 3

Published: 23 November, 2021

Penfolds has unveiled a new partnership with digital assets trader BlockBar to sell a barrel of its tiny production Magill Cellar 3 wine for USD $130,000.

France and Chile main beneficiaries of Australia-China dispute

Published: 23 November, 2021

The ongoing dispute between Australia and its longstanding trade partner is creating unprecedented opportunities for competing nations to increase their market share, according to Rabobank’s Q4 Wine Quarterly report.

Registrations now open for the Old Vine Conference 2021

Published: 22 November, 2021

The third edition of the Old Vine Conference will take place between 1-2 December and is now open for registrations.

Barcelona Wine Week to focus on indigenous varieties

Published: 22 November, 2021

The second edition of Barcelona’s leading trade fair will highlight the incredible diversity of the nation's viticultural palate, showcasing an eclectic mix of both corporate brands and boutique wineries.

Simpsons’ Wine Estate expands portfolio

Published: 22 November, 2021

Leading sparkling wine producer Simpsons' Wine Estates has released a new range of premium still wines – the Q Class.

Soapbox: Richard Lloyd at The Park makes the case for agile supply chains

Published: 22 November, 2021

We hear from Richard Lloyd, general manager for European operations and supply chain at The Park, the hub of Accolade Wines’ European operations and an independent business in its own right, on how the industry can work together to overcome its supply chain difficulties

New online retailer seeks to redefine the term 'plonk'

Published: 22 November, 2021

The founders of online wine retailer, Plonk, have unveiled their mission statement: rebrand and revitalise the use of this derisory epithet and repurpose it for a new generation of wine drinkers.

Wine Paris unveils ambitions ahead of 2022 return

Published: 18 November, 2021

Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris is to return to business in February with a significant bounce in size on its last 2019 show, according to the organisers.

English sparkling triumphs at Vivino Community Awards

Published: 17 November, 2021

Vivino’s 2021 Community Awards has revealed some fascinating insights into the preferences of consumers worldwide, including the enormous popularity of English fizz in the UK.

English fizz's bawdy move

Published: 17 November, 2021

A month or so ago, I attended two eye-catching, if very different, launches. Both were from Bibendum Wine: the UK debut of former Dom Pérignon chef de cave Richard Geoffroy’s sake; and an unorthodox new English sparkling wine, with the charming name Harlot.

Nowhere to hide

Published: 17 November, 2021

Wine and spirits are, at their heart, agricultural products, albeit given the somewhat magical twist of fermentation or distillation. Which means that any adverse affect from climate change can and will filter through to the final product, literally under the consumer’s nose, rather than just remaining a more peripheral concern in the wider world. Producers of wine especially are increasingly aware of what was described as an “existential threat” to their livelihoods, as outlined at a recent International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA) seminar in London.

Chronic Sauvignon Blanc shortfall creates “unprecedented opportunity”

Published: 17 November, 2021

New Zealand will not be able to satisfy forecast global demand for Sauvignon Blanc in 2022, due to an exceptionally small harvest this year.

Long read: Chasing formats isn't enough for the Instagram generation

Published: 15 November, 2021

In the past decade, regular wine consumption among 18-34 year olds has fallen by 10% (Wine Intelligence), which could indicate trouble for the sector in the future. Alex Green, co-founded wine distributor Beyond Wines after working with business partner Matt Johnson at Copestick Murray where they worked on i heart and Freixenet. Here, he explores why wine brands are failing to engage the younger demographic and where they stand to make the biggest wins.

UK becomes headline growth market for Georgian wine

Published: 15 November, 2021

Sales of Georgian wine in the UK grew dramatically in 2021, as British consumers develop a taste for the nation's indigenous varietals.

The Drinks Trust launches charity auction

Published: 15 November, 2021

The Drinks Trust has unveiled plans to run an annual online charity auction ‘Cream of the Crop.'

Circle of Wine Writers to continue online training programmes in 2022

Published: 12 November, 2021

The Circle of Wine Writers has revealed that it is to carry on into 2022 with its regular programme of Let’s talk about… webinars and Let’s taste… web-based tastings.

Plumpton launches scientific sensory courses to meet demand

Published: 12 November, 2021

Plumpton Wine Division is rolling out two scientific wine sensory training courses as part of its WineSkills Program in response to customer demand.

Long read: Alternative formats group refuses to let wine fall behind

Published: 12 November, 2021

As the COP26 Glasgow conference draws to a close, the UK wine trade moves a step closer to a more sustainable approach to wine packaging, with The Copper Crew, When in Rome, Graft Wine, BIB Wine, Canned Wine Co, and More Wine joining forces to form the Wine Traders for Alternative Formats association (WTAF).

Majestic reveals the trends to watch this Christmas

Published: 12 November, 2021

Sparkling wine and Champagne, Beaujolais, Rosé, bag-in-box and wines from South Africa are tipped to be some of the top sellers this Christmas, Majestic Wines has predicted.