Wine trade identifies major opportunities for 2014

The relaunch of the 3 for £10 mechanic; a major crisis in the Spanish bulk wine industry and the growing prominence of fruit-flavoured wines were all chosen as major stories of the year to date by some of the wine trade's top names.

Back to School: Anya Robson of Murphy Wine Company

As part of our ongoing Back to School series, Anya Robson of bulk wine broker Murphy Wine Company reckons Spain's bulk industry is in crisis and tips South African rosé as one to watch.

Back to School: Brand Phoenix's Greg Wilkins

As summer draws to a close, we asked some key figures in the trade to round up events in the wine trade for the year to date, and outline their company's plans for the rest of the year. Greg Wilkins, managing director of Brand Phoenix reckons Chinese austerity has had a major impact on the wine trade, and picks fruit-flavoured wines as the next big thing.

Distell launches 56 Hundred Nederburg wine as profits surge

South Afica's Distell has launched a new Nederburg range 56 Hundred, which includes a Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.

Chiefs of the week: South African winemakers who surf

Every  year they come to take the challenge. No not the South African wine awards, but the Vintners Surf Classic where some of the country's best and most respected winemakers come together to ride the waves and pit their wits against each other to see who has the smartest surf board skiills.

South Africa's Kleine Zalze takes on new cellarmaster

Cape Legends is pushing the premium wine boundaries in South Africa

South Africa's wine industry is changing and the premium wine segment is no exception. Harpers.co.uk talks to the leaders who are pushing the boundaries of Distell's premium wine portfolio, Cape Legends.

The Smith Report: Exchange rate is it a friend or foe?

The Smith Report takes a look at the opportunities for wine producers in South Africa, where its currency exchange has proven to be both its best friend and its worst enemy.

South African wine under the microscope

South Africa may be known for its value-for-money wine, but the country is vying for a spot in more premium territory, as Gemma McKenna and Erin Smith find out

Origin Wine's Stormhoek Stack launches in UK

Bancroft Wines takes on South African winery Ataraxia

South Africa's Sodbuster wine targets UK farmers

A South African wine has decided to bypass the usual UK retail channels in favour of directly targeting farmers as its would-be consumers.

South Africa's Charles Back receives a Lifetime Achievement award at IWC 2014

Legendary South African winemaker and producer, Charles Back, received the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Wine Challenge awards dinner last night in London.

Beautiful South offers themed tastings and winemaker debates on Chile, Argentina and South Africa

A central "meet the winemaker" themed area will be the central focus for this September's combined Beautiful South tasting featuring wines from Chile, South Africa and Argentina.

South Africa's record bulk wine growth slows

South Africa's record growth in bulk exports of wine to the UK has slowed, with figures from VinPro showing no increase on last year.

UK wine buyers more cautious to try new ideas than in Europe says Origin's Bernard Fontannaz

It is easier to convince retail buyers in Europe to take on new wine ideas and designs than it is in the UK, according to Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wines.

Keep those dreams alive with Harpers World Cup Memories

England may be out of the World Cup but there is still plenty to enjoy from the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Here we start a new series of World Cup Memories where we ask people across the trade to share their best memories from World Cups down the line. If you would like to take part then simply email richard.siddle@wrbm.com with your answers to the questions below.

Namaqua first mainstream wine brand to go Fairtrade

South African wine giant Namaqua has converted two of its lines, supplied to the Cooperative in the UK, to Fairtrade - which should boost Fairtrade wine sales in the UK by 10% over the next year.

Bulk wine prices rocked by Chilean frosts, Californian droughts and a taste for French fruity wines

Frosts in Chile, droughts in California and the Languedoc and the boom in fruit-flavoured wines in France is having a knock-on effect on bulk wine prices, according to the latest data from Murphy Wine Company.

Bulk wine prices tighten for key Chilean varieties, says Murphy Wine Company

Keep on top of the latest bulk wine prices with the latest spreadsheet to the end of May 2014, from bulk wine brokers, Murphy Wine Company.