Country Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spain Report: Talking sherry and terroir

Published: 28 October, 2024

Ellie Scott looks at how sherry’s evolving legislation, style and focus on terroir is impacting category perception in the UK.

Spain Report: Winning with whites

Published: 25 October, 2024

The diversity of the white offering from Spain has led to a vibrant scene which is generating excitement among consumers. Sarah Jane Evans MW reports.

Headline Heroes: Rioja and a return to roots

Published: 23 October, 2024

Despite the still-popular image among consumers of Rioja as a ready-to-drink offer of easygoing charm, born of multi-regional blending and generous American oak, evolution in the region and its style is by no means a new-fangled thing. Finca Allende (the name means ‘further’) was arguably the most powerful precursor of the modern face of Rioja, bringing in single vineyard focus on terroir, coupled with the likes of new French oak and 100% Tempranillo in its top cuvée, as far back as the tail end of the last century.

Spain Report: Evolution and discovery

Published: 21 October, 2024

Andrew Catchpole speaks to champions of Rioja about the opportunities and challenges presented by such a diverse and dynamic region.

Spain Report: Sun shines on Spanish wines

Published: 17 October, 2024

While not without its challenges, the UK market continues to provide opportunities for the Mediterranean country’s offerings. By James Bayley.

Beyond Mendoza

Published: 16 October, 2024

Amanda Barnes explores how Argentinian wine is evolving past the borders of its biggest-producing region to bear fruit further afield.

Analysing Spain

Published: 09 October, 2024

Andrew Catchpole reports back from the insightful Spain Food Nation Summit session on Spanish wines.

Australia reborn

Published: 27 September, 2024

Winemakers have entered a new era, with creativity and dynamism to the fore. But UK perceptions of the country’s wines need to catch up if consumers are to benefit. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Carménère hits its stride

Published: 16 September, 2024

Chile’s ‘could-be’ flagship is coming of age, but debate still surrounds its role in the country’s wider portfolio. Andrew Catchpole dips in.

Unusual Suspects: Off-piste producers

Published: 28 August, 2024

Harpers went in search of producers on the frontiers of new and emerging territories.

Headline Heroes: Georgia’s grape revolution

Published: 26 August, 2024

Arguably the birthplace of wine, Georgian winemaking is steeped in tradition and, as James Lawrence explains, has much to offer UK consumers.

Unusual Suspects: Friends from the east

Published: 23 August, 2024

With a few importers now taking the plunge, Andrew Catchpole assesses the potential for Chinese wine in the UK.

Unusual Suspects Report: Diversity in the East

Published: 21 August, 2024

Following the success of the inaugural CEE tasting, Justin Keay dives into the multi-faceted diversity of the region, spanning Central Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus.

Italy Report: Going Garganega

Published: 31 July, 2024

Both beguiling and bewildering, Soave’s diversity is being harnessed to push a message of quality. Andrew Catchpole takes a taste.

Italy Report: Sicilian wine ups its game

Published: 30 July, 2024

James Bayley reports back from Sicilia en Primeur on the strength and resilience of the Sicilian wine industry.

Italy Report: Leftfield Italy’s time to shine

Published: 26 July, 2024

Justin Keay looks at the changing face of Italian wine and how importers are trying to meet growing demand for off-piste varieties.

Italy Report: Lighter, food-friendly wines ascend

Published: 24 July, 2024

Jo Gilbert caught up with some of Italy’s most influential producers to discover which market-shaping trends and styles are currently creating momentum in the UK.

Analysis: Judgement of Canada

Published: 09 July, 2024

Canada may be a small player on the international wine scene, but in recent times its wines have received increasing international attention and praise beyond what has traditionally made Canada famous – its icewines and late harvests.

France Report: Prioritising premium

Published: 26 June, 2024

Good value’ is a tag that follows the wines of Languedoc and Roussillon around. While it’s undoubtedly not the worst thing that consumers can associate with a region, it can serve to dampen the ambitions of makers of more premium wines. As Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, winemaker in Roussillon and regional chair for Languedoc-Roussillon at the Decanter World Wine Awards, puts it: “Good value can be a trap. Chile struggled with that. People see it as good value and therefore don’t see their premium wines as something worth spending money on.”

Headline Heroes: Harmonious sustainability

Published: 26 June, 2024

The Plaimont cooperative is not only an advocate of adapting to climate change, but also the custodian of heritage grape varieties. James Lawrence reports on its work to safeguard the future of wine.