Wine exports from the United States reach record levels

Wine exports from the United States reached a record $1.55 billion in 2013 up 16.4% on 2012 with California now accounting for 90% of all American wine sold around the world.

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.

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.

?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.

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

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. 

Demand for wine investments in California has never been higher says M&A specialists

Q&A with Robert Nicholson of American M&A specialists International Wine Associates

In 2013, vineyard acquisitions and mergers on the US West Coast were a key talking point for industry insiders. As a key party to many of the major transactions that took place last year, Robert Nicholson, president of mergers and acquistion specialists, International Wine Associates, is ideally placed to share his expertise on the future of the West Coast property market. James Lawrence asks the questions:

US merchants call for lower prices in Bordeaux 2013 en primeur campaign

As the trade gets ready for the annual 2013 en primeur tastings an increasing number of leading wine merchants  around the world are calling for lower prices in this year's campaign, including key players in the United States.

?Interview: Dan Townsend on building fine wine brands at Treasury Wine Estates

The pressure on wine brands to succeed in the UK is nowhere more intense than at Treasury Wine Estates. Richard Siddle asks its UK head, Dan Townsend, how it can succeed with both mainstream and fine-wine brands

California's lack of rainfall is major threat to winemakers in 2014

2013 marked one of the driest year's on record in California, with cities like San Francisco reporting the driest year since 1849, when annual rainfall totals first started being recorded.  Los Angeles similarly, reported only receiving 3.6 inches of rain in total for 2013, well below the average of 14 inches. This could be catastrophic for agriculture and wine producers should conditions not change in the near future.

Vino Fresco hopes to capture share of the lighter wine category with new carbonated drink

A new wine based drink, Vino Fresco, hopes to tap in to the drinking trend popular across the Mediterranean of adding carbonated lemon and lime with red wine to make a refreshing style drink.

The Golden State reports a golden harvest

Fetzer launches new Californian wine blends in to UK with Tesco

Concha y Toro's Fetzer winery in Mendocino, California has launched a red and a white blend into Tesco. The red blend is called Crimson and the white is called Quartz.

Global wine production is shifting away from Europe says Cobevco's Justin Knock MW

The 2013 global wine harvest is further confirmation that Europe is losing ground on its dominant position as the largest wine growing continent in the world.

Jancis Robinson MW gives her backing for formal wine education

Jancis Robinson OBE MW has given her backing for structured formal wine education at a special event for Diploma graduates of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust in New York.

Treasury Wine Estates sets the standard for Californian 2013 vintage

The 2013 Californian wine harvest is set to be "truly outstanding" if a review of some of the premium vineyards of Treasury Wine Estates by Harpers.co.uk is replicated across the state.

How Treasury Wine Estates is turning heads with its premium Californian wines

If David Dearie's shock sacking as Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) chief executive last month was indeed connected to the $160m writedown the company's US division suffered earlier this year, its stable of Californian wineries continues to produce premium wine that keep turning heads.

Harvest in Napa Valley is the earliest since late 1980s

While the harvest throughout much of Europe started abnormally late due to the extended winter and cold spring, the Napa Valley in California has experienced its earliest start to a vintage since the late 1980s.

Vivienne Franks calls on the trade to get behind Virginian wines

Vivienne Franks, in our latest AWEsome column, from the Association of Wine Educators, does her best to extol the virtues of the wines of Virginia.

Dany and Michel Rolland on the look out for investments in Napa Valley

Investing in California's Napa Valley is next on the list for Bordeaux oenologists and consultants Dany and Michel Rolland, owners of the Rolland Collection.