Friday read: A new frontier between the vines of Cyprus

As Cyprus celebrates 800 years of its iconic sweet wine, Commandaria, a younger generation of winemakers is proving the island’s indigenous grape varieties can produce some serious dry wines too. Rebecca Pitcairn dives in.

Jason Yapp announces retirement

Yapp Brothers has announced the retirement of Jason Yapp after a successful tenure of 32 years at the firm.

Jerry Lockspeiser: More sex please, we’re British

We need to be innovative to solve the many challenges facing the UK wine trade. Well, more sex might just be the answer. This could be very good news, being not only pleasurable but without cost to anyone’s business.

Majestic partners with sommelier Romain Bourger for Christmas campaign

The UK’s largest multiple has launched an innovative festive campaign this December, collaborating with award-winning sommelier Romain Bourger to promote Majestic's credentials when it comes to staff expertise on all things grape related.

Soapbox: Michael Karam on wine’s political power

Tim Atkin MW: Can you taste terroir?

My scientific credentials are embarrassing. I struggled to get a C grade in Physics with Chemistry O-Level in my teens. By dint of rote learning and conversations with winemakers, not to mention a thrilling, all-day visit to a bottling plant, I managed to bluff my way through paper two of the Master of Wine exam about the production of wine. I have a half-arsed understanding of things like pH, sulphites and oxidation, some of the building blocks of wine analysis. Where geology is concerned, I know the difference between sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. But that’s about it.

Harpers Design Awards 2024: The full rundown

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but great design is a finely tuned skill. Andrew Catchpole highlights the best of the crop at this year’s Design Awards.

Elevating baijiu with Melody Wong

Andrew Catchpole speaks to The Peninsula’s director of wine Melody Wong about her high-flying role and the mission to elevate baijiu in the UK.

Liberty report: Indies steal a march on supermarkets

Liberty Wines’ first ever Independent Off-Trade Wine Report paints a cautiously optimistic picture for the future. Jo Gilbert reports

Bibendum predicts top wine trends

Bibendum Wine has outlined a series of consumer trends likely to influence buying behaviour in 2025, compiling data from its ‘Wine MODE’ tool, in addition to analysis from Bidendum's in-house insights team.

Italian fine wine resilient as Burgundy faces significant decline

A new report by Wine Cap suggests that investors are prioritising Super Tuscans over Chambertin, with modest declines in price compared to the most prestigious blue chip Burgundies.

OIV reflects on a century in the glass for centenary milestone

The wine industry has undergone an extraordinary transformation over the past 100 years, from a Eurocentric production hub to a globally diversified and internationally traded commodity which is now looking ahead to the second half of the decade as part of its strategic plan.

Leading Stellenbosch producer acquires Overhex Wines’ portfolio

Origin Wine has purchased the entire brand portfolio of Overhex Wines, a Worcester-based outfit that was set up 18 years ago by Gerhard van der Wath.

Sustainability Report: Social responsibility at the cellar door

Andrew Catchpole shares highlights from Harpers’ recent Bibendum-partnered webinar on the human side of sustainability.

California set for ‘memorable vintage’ following fast-paced growing season and harvest

The 2024 California harvest got off to an early start in many regions following a rainy winter, a cool spring and a warm summer during a year which has left a lasting impression on vintners, the California Wine Institute said.

Bar 44 expands no & low offer to meet rising demand

Award-winning Spanish restaurant group Bar 44 has significantly expanded its portfolio of no & low beverages, including new wines, beers and a 'Lilt Sangria' at 0% ABV.

International Alliance for Responsible Drinking exceeds safeguarding target

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a collective of some of the world’s biggest alcohol producers, has surpassed its 2024 goal of embedding rigorous digital safeguards across thousands of brands worldwide.

Rhône Valley producers optimistic despite 'Homeric vintage' in 2024

As the dust settles on another roller coaster vintage, winemakers across the Rhône Valley are nonetheless confident that their wines will showcase “fruit, tension and balance” - as much for white wines as for reds and rosés.

Friday read: Embracing Costières de Nîmes

Costières de Nîmes is the last hurrah of the Rhône valley, between the Camargue and the vineyards of Provence in one direction, and the start of the long sweep of the Languedoc in the other. The vineyards sit southeast of Nîmes, a city whose Roman roots are near the surface.

Friday read: Lago di Garda, Gropello Gentile and Italy’s most memorable rosato

Italy’s wine reputation has never been higher. Many of its reds from Tuscany and Piedmont are well established icons, its whites get better each year, whilst sparkling wines are also on the up with Franciacorta, Alta Langa and Oltrepo Pavese increasingly appealing to higher end consumers tired of Prosecco.