Spain's wine industry must restructure but avoid 'trashing vinous treasures', warns MW

Spain has to be very careful not to trash its vinous treasures, warned Justin Knock MW, as the country faces a restructure following a wine glut.

Views from the Beautiful South: Americo Hernandez, Vina Ventisquero

Following this week's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London Harpers caught up with key figures from across the Chilean, Argentinian and South African wine industries to assess their thoughts on the UK wine market for their wines.

Jerry Lockspeiser on some peculiar but inspiring winemaking in Mallorca

The first thing you see at the winery is a sign saying "HIPPIES USE BACK DOOR- NO EXCEPTIONS".  In the barrel room oak vats are identified by the names of rock bands - the Clash, Joy Division, Pulp and Portishead amongst them - or images of molecular structures. Outside the back door a large pile of straw bales wait to be wrapped around modern stainless steel vats, nature's insulation to keep her product cool.

Let's cheer Warren Adamson on his final push to John O'Groats for the Benevolent

If you've had a tough week of tastings, meetings and trips out to the Wines of the Beautiful South then spare a thought for Craggy Range's Warren Adamson who is currently in to day seven of a nine day bike ride between Land's End and John O'Groats.

Decline in Far East and Europe hits global Cognac sales but US rallies

The clampdown on luxury goods gifting in China continues to hit the global spirits industry with Cognac announcing total exports are down both in volume and value for the year to July 2014.

Restaurant Australia to host London pop-up dinners to showcase country's wine and food

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, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Morrisons' and Waitrose's profits slide as Ocado sales jump

Morrisons and Waitrose are the most recent losers of the fierce supermarket price wars that have erupted across the UK in the last year. WM Morrison reported just over a 30% decline in half-yearly profits on Thursday, while Waitrose which had remained relatively unscathed by the competition, reported a 9.4% drop in profits for its half yearly results.

The Grafton in London wins Pub of the Year in Great British Pub awards

The Grafton in Kentish Town, north London, has been named the Pub of the Year in Harpers' sister title, The Publican's Morning Advertiser's Great British Pub Awards held last night.

Seckford Agencies toasts sales growth

Seckford Agencies has seen sales grow by 10 to 15% in the past year, says director David Cartwright.

Tesco expands Dan Jago's global wine role to include beer and spirits

Tesco's UK and group wine director Dan Jago is to increase his responsibilities with the addition of the beer and spirits portfolio.

Argentina and South Africa lead growth in off-trade sales in UK

Off-trade sales of Argentinian wine increased 21% while South African wine was up 14% in the last 12 months, according to a report released yesterday by Bibendum. 

Pernod Ricard UK chief to be new WSTA chair

Pernod Ricard UK's managing director Denis O'Flynn has been selected as the new chairman of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Les Grands Chais de France moves into Costières de Nimes

Les Grands Chais de France has acquired Château de la Tuilerie in the Costières de Nimes region for an undisclosed sum. 

Live news blog: The Beautiful South Tasting Day Two

On day two of the Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London's Olympia, Harpers catches up with leading wine figures at the event with their thoughts on the UK market for Chilean, Argentinian and South African wines. 

Argentina's total wine exports to UK rocket 36%

Argentina's total wine exports to the UK have soared 36% on last year for the first six months of 2014, says Wines of Argentina's European and Asia director Andrew Maidment.

Ehrmanns 'galvanised and recharged' by recent changes

Wine supplier Ehrmanns has had a "lively" few months, but says recent changes have left it "galvanised and recharged" and looking to the future with confidence.

Argentina must celebrate its "rock and roll" winemakers to grow says Gaucho's Phil Crozier

If Argentina is to contine to grow in the UK then it needs to do more to celebrate, promote and tell the story of its winemakers and make them the "personalities" of their wines, according to Phil Crozier, head of wine at the Gaucho Group of Argentinian restaurants.

Supermarkets set to cull wine suppliers, warns Accolade's Paul Schaafsma

The UK wine trade must brace itself for what could be large scale "supplier rationalisation" across the major multiples over the next 18 months, according to Paul Schaafsma, UK and Ireland head of Accolade Wines UK.

South Africa's Bruce Jack warns winemakers not to jump on "bandwagons"

One of the greatest challenges for a branded winemaker is not to jump on the latest "bandwagon" but remain true to your beliefs and make wines that are right for your company, according to Bruce Jack, leading winemaker at Accolade Wines.