The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

'No compelling reason to buy' Bordeaux 2013, say merchants

Merchants have so far sold very little, if any, Bordeaux 2013 wines, as collectors lack any compelling reason to buy.

Virgin Wines sees "loyal customers" join its Wine Bank

Virgin Wines says strong customer loyalty has encouraged 40,000 of them to join its Wine Bank Scheme, which offers customer 20% discount.

Liv-ex survey finds 'significantly less demand' for Bordeaux 2013 wines

The annual Liv-ex en primeur survey found that 78% of merchants expect "significantly less demand" - down by at least a fifth - for 2013 wines compared to their 2012 counterparts.

Q&A: Virgin Wines' Jay Wright talks independence, technology and customer loyalty

Virgin Wines chief executive Jay Wright opens up on what's happened since it separated from Direct Wines last year, as well as plans around personalisation and customer loyalty.

Constellation Brands bet on beer pays off

Constellation Brands released its 2014 fiscal results today reporting fourth quarter profits increasing 92% to $157 million, driven largely by market gains related to the acquisition of Grupo Modelo's US commercial beer business.

Spain's Grandes Pagos wines kick off global campaign

Spain's 27 top single estate wineries, collected under the Grandes Pagos de España banner, have launched a campaign to put their wines on the map internationally.

UK wine firms should look to US market for growth, says senior trade figure

British wine firms should look to the US, where domestic wine consumption is outpacing supply, says trade stalwart James Forbes, who has formed a US-focused company.

Argentina wine consumers 'attractive' to retailers

Q&A: Wine's of Argentina's Andrew Maidment on growth, customer profiles and plans

With sales of Argentinian wine up 20% in the off-trade, confidence is booming in the South American country. Wines of Argentina's Europea and Asia director Andrew Maidment tells harpers.co.uk what's driving growth, how its typical customers differ from the rest of the wine category and what's next.

Liberty Wines recruits commercial director

Liberty Wines has recruited Jon Worsley as commercial director to boost the company's premium position.

Argentinian wines grow 20% in off-trade

Argentinian wines are surging ahead in the off-trade, with growth of 20% in the last year, as the market "moves up to suit Argentina", says the European director of the country's generic body.

Brancott Estate doubles marketing spend

Pernod Ricard UK has doubled its consumer marketing spend on New Zealand wine brand Brancott Estate.

Supermarket wine price wars are dumbing down market, says report

Supermarket wine price wars are threatening to'dumb down British consumers' attitudes to wine, exclusive research from Harpers Data & Insight team reveals.

Wine Australia's Yvonne May takes extended leave over illness

Wine Australia's European director Yvonne May is taking extended leave from the generic body to receive treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

Bordeaux negociants say demand for 2013 wine is 'dead'

Wholesale wine merchants in Bordeaux were underwhelmed by a rapid burst of 2013 en primeur price releases Monday morning, describing current demand as "dead."

?The Smith Report: Could deflation let the air out of wine purchases?

Erin Smith looks at how deflation could have an impact on the wine and spirit world.

Why UK bars, restaurants and retailers are putting their faith in sherry in the UK

Value, quality, style: sherry has it all. But can it sustain its recent renaissance? Douglas Blyde asks ten of the UK's leading sherry lovers what the future has in store

English Wine Week unveils new brand and image for 2014

A new logo has been produced to help English Wine Producers promote and celebrate English Wine Week which takes place between May 24 and June 1 across the UK. 

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.