Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Brampton resigns as TWE European MD

Published: 22 February, 2021

Michelle Brampton has resigned from her role as MD of Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Long Read: English Pinot Noir comes of age

Published: 18 February, 2021

Pinot Noir has long had a place in UK winemaking, as part of the classic Champagne varieties and, to a lesser extent, still variants often from select vineyards or small parcels. Now, with an increasingly changing climate helping to ripen and tease out those darker fruits, it could be poised to strike out on its own, as Jacopo Mazzeo surmises.

Academic study proves terroir’s influence on whisky

Published: 17 February, 2021

A new academic study has provided “conclusive proof” of terroir’s influence on whisky, potentially paving the way for an Appellation Controlée system for whisky in the same way as wine.

Penfolds’ first Cali wine twenty years in the making alongside TWE restructure

Published: 17 February, 2021

Penfolds has released its first ever Californian wine – a move that forms part of a major restructure of parent company Treasury Wine Estates’ (TWE) operating model which aims to rebalance its US operations and focus on new Penfolds launches outside of Australia.

Last chance to register for AWMB indies promotion

Published: 17 February, 2021

The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB) is inviting indies to promote its wines as part of its Austrian Wine Time promotion to be in what a chance to win a 'special prize'.

Jeroboams appoints Lucie Parker as trade director

Published: 17 February, 2021

Jeroboams Trade, the wholesale business within the independent Jeroboams Group, has appointed Lucie Parker to the role of trade director.

Virgin Wines announces stock market flotation

Published: 16 February, 2021

Virgin Wines has announced plans for a stock market flotation.

Soaring demand for rosé and exports at Nyetimber

Published: 15 February, 2021

Nyetimber has reported a major spike in demand for rosé in 2020 from their south east England vineyards, despite the loss of social drinking occasions often associated with pink wines.

Atkin Rioja Report awards first-ever 100 point score to a white

Published: 15 February, 2021

Tim Atkin MW has revealed a perfect score for a wine for Rioja for the first time – and it’s a white.

New Zealand just shy of organics target, but growth continues

Published: 11 February, 2021

New Zealand has just missed its self-imposed 2020 organics target, though a groundswell of producers switching up their practices means the country could be on track to reach the milestone within the next couple of years.

Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship 2021 bursary open for applicants

Published: 10 February, 2021

The annual Gerard Basset Travel Scholarship 2021 bursary is now open to UK-based sommelier entrants.

Waitrose adds premium Indian wine

Published: 09 February, 2021

Waitrose has launched a premium Indian wine, which it said it believed to be a first for a UK supermarket.

Oxford Wine Company launches tourism platform

Published: 09 February, 2021

The Oxford Wine Company (OWC) has launched a wine tourism platform aimed at making wineries "accessible to everybody".

Brexit: Reality bites

Published: 08 February, 2021

The actualities of shipping goods from the EU are beginning to sink in as wine incurs an estimated €200 per shipment, making groupage cost-prohibitive for many. Jo Gilbert calculates the knock-on costs to the trade

Tim Atkin MW: China’s risky moves

Published: 04 February, 2021

“Don’t trust them,” says Leon Panetta, a rueful former US defense secretary interviewed in BBC documentary China: A New World Order, “that’s the bottom line.” It’s advice the Australian wine industry and now, apparently, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), would have done well to heed.

Wales comes out top as “most sophisticated” UK wine nation

Published: 04 February, 2021

When it comes to buying wine, the Welsh are the most sophisticated while the English hunt for a bargain, according to data which aims to map the buying behaviours of UK drinkers.

Long read: It’s time for a France re-think

Published: 04 February, 2021

Rowena Curlewis, CEO of drinks design specialist Denomination, tells us why she thinks French wine brands could afford to up the ‘badass’ design stakes when marketing overseas.

Tech vs critics: developing satellite scores

Published: 03 February, 2021

Saturnalia aims to overcome the ‘mystery and magic’ surrounding fine wine pricing and scores with space-based technology. Felicity Carter eyes up its heavenly ambitions