Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spain: food for thought

Published: 07 March, 2014

The UK is just discovering that Spain's wine regions offer as much diversity, quality and value as its tapas. Andrew Catchpole reports

Matthew Dickinson: Who really benefits from wine fairs?

Published: 06 March, 2014

Having attended my fair share of wine fairs (geddit?) over the years, both as buyer, producer, agent and now general dogsbody (sorry, highly regarded entrepreneur), I find myself getting cynical - a dangerous place to be during your mid-life crisis.

Mike Paul: is the new EU planting wine regime a missed opportunity or pragmatic compromise?

Published: 04 March, 2014

Given the space devoted recently to predictions relating to the future of the wine business I've been surprised at the lack of attention focused on the new EU vine planting regime which is due to come into effect at the end of 2015. From that date each member state with over 50,000 hectares under vine will be able to add 1% per year to its vineyard area.

UK buyers help pick ambassador wines to promote Vin de France

Published: 28 February, 2014

Up to nearly 90 wines thought to represent the very best of what Vin de France can offer have been picked by a trade panel to help promote Vin de France in key export markets like the UK.

ProWein ups Champagne focus

Published: 26 February, 2014

ProWein is ramping up its Champagne focus in 2014, with double the focus on the sparkling wine compared to last year.

Cono Sur to take centre stage when the Tour de France comes to the UK in 2014

Published: 24 February, 2014

Chilean winery, Vina Cono Sur, has signed a deal with the Tour de France 2014 to be the solo wine sponsor for the first three stages of the race that are all taking place in the UK.

Q&A with Craig Duggan of Signature Wines on the potential of Macedonian wines in the UK

Published: 24 February, 2014

Craig Duggan, business development manager for Signature Wines, talks to Douglas Blyde about reviving Macedonia's ancient wine tradition with Stobi Wines.

Diageo warns of the dangers of any UK departure from the EU

Published: 20 February, 2014

Diageo has fired a warning shot against any possible British departure from the European Union and the risks it would have on not only its business but the future of key markets such as the Scottish whisky industry. This could be exacerbated further if Scotland chooses to become independent later in the year.

Fine wine prices fall in January for first time in 12 years

Published: 12 February, 2014

For the the first time in 12 years the Liv-ex Fine Wine 100 index fell by 0.9% in January, a traditionally strong month.

?Brangelina's Rosé to be sold at Berry Bros

Published: 10 February, 2014

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Château Miraval Rosé released its second vintage last week and Berry Bros. & Rudd will get the first pre-allocation of the wine to be sold in the UK.

Bodegas Muriel to target independents with its Rioja wines through Moreno Wines

Published: 07 February, 2014

Spanish producer, Bodegas Muriel, is looking to strengthen its distibution in the independent sector after signing an exclusive agreement with Moreno Wines having already built up good distribution in the multiple off-trade through Off Piste Wines.

Trade divided over this year's 'en primeur'

Published: 07 February, 2014

No one has officially sipped a single glass of the 2013 Bordeaux en primeur campaign and it is already one of the most controversial vintages in living memory. Gemma McKenna explains why

?The Smith report: The rise of the Great British pound

Published: 07 February, 2014

Erin Smith assesses the currency map as the pound continues to gain ground

The French Revolution

Published: 07 February, 2014

Without ever having really gone away, French wine is making a huge comeback. Where did it all go right? Andrew Catchpole investigates

Portugal: searching for an identity

Published: 07 February, 2014

It might not be top of the charts when it comes to sales, but there are few wine countries with as much untapped potential as Portgual. Richard Woodard reports

Lindsay Oram tries to unravel the complexities of Austrian winemaking

Published: 05 February, 2014

Lindsay Oram looks at the complexities of the increasingly complex Austrian winemaking system in the latest AWEsome opinion piece from a member of the Association of Wine Educators.

California's drought could raise foreign wine imports to the US and bulk wine prices

Published: 05 February, 2014

With California in the midst of one the most severe droughts in its history, the shortfall in domestic wine supply in the US could see a rise in bulk wine prices and an increase in foregin wine imports.

Argentina, Chile and South Africa team up again at ProWein

Published: 04 February, 2014

Following their tasting tie up last September in London the generic bodies of Argentina, Chile and South Africa are teaming up again to present their wines under the banner of Wines of the Beautiful South at this year's Prowein trade fair in Dusseldorf in March.

?Annual Wines from Spain Trade Fair celebrates 25 years

Published: 31 January, 2014

On Thursday the March 20th, 2014 the Wines from Spain Trade Fair will be hosting its annual tasting at the Old Billingsgate in London, celebrating its 25th year of the event.