Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Q&A: Mitchell Taylor, Wakefield Wines

Published: 20 August, 2019

To mark its first half century, Andrew Catchpole talks to the man behind this leading Clare Valley estate about the Legacy and innovation in Australia

Profits up at TWE as premiumisation drive pays off

Published: 15 August, 2019

Profits at Treasury Wine Estates leapt 16% over the last year, driven by the group’s focus on premiumisation.

Dip in Aussie imports as Brexit stockpiling comes to an end

Published: 22 July, 2019

Sales of Australian wine in the UK have declined in the past year – partly due to brand-hesitancy surrounding Brexit.

Australian wine grape crush defies early predictions

Published: 19 July, 2019

The National Vintage Report 2019 for Australia has revealed a 1% decrease in the national wine grape crush to an estimated 1.73 million tonnes (Mt).

Q&A: Kim Wilson and Joy Edmondson, North South Wines

Published: 18 June, 2019

Innovative, agile and on-trend, North South Wines is shaking up the traditional importer model. Andrew Catchpole meets its founders

Sangiovese - can't travel, won't travel?

Published: 14 June, 2019

It’s long been held that the variety behind Chianti Classico is incapable of adapting to anywhere beyond Italian shores, but Australia’s ever resourceful producers are proving this wrong.

Koerner brothers win Young Gun of Wine award

Published: 03 June, 2019

Damon and Jono Koerner, from Koerner Wine in the Clare Valley, have won the 2019 Riedel Young Gun of Wine award at the 13th Young Gun of Wine awards.

Old world wines dominate on-trade in China, new research shows

Published: 31 May, 2019

Wines from France and Italy dominate the on-trade in China, according to the first in-depth research into the Chinese on-trade market.

Young drinkers more likely to experiment with fizz and fusion drinks

Published: 15 April, 2019

Younger Australians are more experimental when it comes to sparkling wine than older drinkers, according to the latest report on the Australian sparkling wine market by Wine Intelligence.

Australian consumers are evolving, says report

Published: 18 March, 2019

Australian drinkers have changed since 2016, according to the latest Portraits report from Wine Intelligence.

Harpers on Tour: Indies Down Under

Published: 13 March, 2019

There is a point on every trip, once travel fatigue has passed and the daily rhythm of tasting, talking and tucker becomes the norm, when a borrowed moment of freedom over a bottle of wine captures the spirit of the tour. During a recent indie merchant buyers trip to Australia this came in the refreshingly left-field shape of a magnum of Brash Higgins Zibibbo, providing a rather early sundowner in the leafy garden of the McLaren Vale Motel, as the group relaxed ahead of a big tasting and dinner.

Halewood opens Australian business

Published: 04 March, 2019

Halewood has expanded its global reach with the opening of a business based in Australia.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

Boom in Tassie vineyards as producers capitalise on cooler climate premium

Published: 18 February, 2019

Tasmania’s vineyard area has grown by 25% over the past two growing seasons, with plans for another 15% increase in the pipeline, as both local and mainland Australian producers invest in the island’s viticultural scene.

McLaren Vale edges towards sub-regional recognition

Published: 11 February, 2019

South Australia’s McLaren Vale has its sights on a geologically-focused demarcation of the region’s most distinct wine producing districts.

Manly Spirits arrives in the UK

Published: 06 February, 2019

Manly Spirits has launched a range of spirits in the UK, following “huge success” in Australia since it launched in April 2017.

Aussie talk and taste: Barossa Beauties

Published: 31 January, 2019

Harpers invited a panel of independent merchants and sommeliers to join Grant Burge chief winemaker Craig Stansborough to talk, taste and pair his Barossa styles with some demanding dishes. Andrew Catchpole was on hand to assess the feedback on these modern Australian wines and their place in the premium drinking repertoire.

Aussie backstop will safeguard Australian wine exports post-Brexit

Published: 22 January, 2019

Australia will continue to trade with the UK, its biggest export market by volume and third by value, on its current terms post-Brexit.

The Aussie-Anglo Alliance

Published: 17 January, 2019

It’s well reported that Australian wine sales into mainland China have been booming, driven by a compelling mix of favourable trade deals, attractiveness of style to Chinese consumers and a firm commitment by the Australian industry to push into that market. Moreover, as with many other territories around the world, the US included, such buyers are prepared to pay a good price for the pleasure of listing the wines.