Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Burgundy faces smallest harvest since 1950s

Published: 24 October, 2012

Burgundy is facing up to its smallest harvest since the mid-1950s after the vineyards of the Côte d'Or suffered a mixture of frost, hail, mildew and poor flowering.

Anne Krebiehl looks at opportunities for Fonseca port with Fladgate's Adrian Bridge

Published: 23 October, 2012

"We've always described Fonseca as a more voluptuous style of Port: it has this big structure, this big weight of fruit," explains Adrian Bridge, managing director of the Fladgate Partnership which incorporates the houses of Taylor, Fonseca and Croft.

Port begins to shed its stuffy image

Published: 19 October, 2012

Port is beginning to shed its stuffy image and is appealing to a younger, more female-led market, according to Fells marketing controller Mark Symonds.

Appleton Estate International Bartender Challenge finalists announced

Published: 19 October, 2012

Nine global bartenders are to gather in Jamaica next week to compete in the Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum International Bartender Challenge 2012.

Jazz FM launches Tasting Thursday with Taylor's Port

Published: 18 October, 2012

The first Port-focused Tasting Thursday with Taylor's will begin this evening on Jazz FM, as part of the Dinner Jazz programme.

Jenny Mackenzie heads to Loire tasting with Les Caves de Pyrene

Published: 18 October, 2012

Les Caves de Pryene held a dedicated Loire tasting this week "to show the incredible diversity of the region and its vintage variation". It was also a timely reminder that the latest in its growing number of natural wine bars, the Green Man and French Horn in London's St Martin's Lane is dedicated to the food and wine of the Loire.

At Your Service events - October and November

Published: 17 October, 2012

Find out more about all the latest on-trade events in October and November.

Chile's Aconcagua Costa awarded DO status

Published: 17 October, 2012

The coastal section of Chile's Valle de Aconcagua has become a new Denomination of Origin, on the back of Viña Errázuriz's long-standing quest to establish the region as a new viticultural zone.

Cape Winemakers Guild Auction achieves record takings

Published: 16 October, 2012

The 28th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has set record-breaking figures with the highest turnover and a complete sellout of all wines.

Port producers can learn lessons from whisky industry

Published: 12 October, 2012

Port producers should look to the whisky industry for packaging and marketing inspiration in order to safeguard the Douro's future.

English Wine Producers reassure trade it's 'business as usual'

Published: 11 October, 2012

English Wine Producers has reassured the industry that it is "business as usual" regarding the 2012 vintage, despite the news Nyetimber has made the decision not to pick this year.

Stevens Garnier launches Brazilian wine range

Published: 10 October, 2012

UK agent Stevens Garnier has launched a range of wines from Brazilian producer Aurora, in a bid to be at the forefront of interest surrounding the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

England's newest vineyard to target export market

Published: 09 October, 2012

The owners of Domaine de Sainte Rose in France have bought 35 hectares in East Kent with the view of targeting its sparkling wines at the export market.

English wine vintage 30% down on previous years

Published: 08 October, 2012

According to an English winemaker, 2012 could be the "disappearing vintage", as yields are down by as much as 30% compared with previous years.

'Liquid poetry?' - Robert Burns Single Malt

Published: 28 September, 2012

Scotch whisky producer, Isle of Arran Distillers, has just re-launched its Robert Burns Single Malt, a multi-vintage edition.

Tony Laithwaite and Hugh Johnson discuss wine trends

Published: 28 September, 2012

Wine scoring and trends were two of the subjects discussed between Tony Laithwaite, head of Laithwaite's Wine, and wine writer Hugh Johnson at this year's Henley Literary Festival.

Negociants UK Winemaker Tour blog

Published: 28 September, 2012

With more and more kiwi-themed cafes and eateries popping up in London, the UK is increasingly beginning to feel like home for New Zealander Clive Jones from Nautilus Estate, one of the six pioneering winemakers travelling round the country on the The Negociants UK Winemaker Tour.

Radical range revamp for Morrisons

Published: 26 September, 2012

Morrisons plans to boost wine sales by £100 million in the next three years via a radical range revamp, consumer profiling and the launch of online sales.

Nelson Mandela's family unveil Fairtrade range

Published: 25 September, 2012

The daughter and grandaughter of former South African president, Nelson Mandela, are introducing a new Fairltrade wine range to the UK from South Africa.