Country Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Trading Italy's stars

Published: 02 June, 2023

David Kermode looks at the rise in popularity of Italy’s fine wines and why it’s all about Piedmont and Tuscany.

Italy bounces back

Published: 30 May, 2023

Despite another challenging year across the trade, the appetite for Italian wine is as strong as ever in the UK, James Bayley reports.

Talking Tempranillo

Published: 22 May, 2023

Going under a host of names, Spain’s champion variety arguably deserves a more global reputation. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Bordeaux 2022: Some like it hot

Published: 10 May, 2023

Harpers’ man in Bordeaux, Gavin Quinney of Château Bauduc, weighs up the 2022 vintage – and finds it could be one of the greats, though uneven.

Webinar: The future of Spanish wines

Published: 28 April, 2023

Few could have missed the evolution – perhaps revolution – in Spanish winemaking in these past years and decades, so to explore this further Harpers partnered with Wines from Spain for a webinar, inviting some of those innovative winemakers to discuss the direction in which they are pushing the industry. Also joined by two voices representing the UK trade, here we bring you key points made during that session, to complement the full recording on our YouTube channel. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Reassessing Rueda

Published: 26 April, 2023

Following on from the Rueda New Vintage trade tasting at 67 Pall Mall, Harpers partnered with DO to convene a panel to discuss the opportunities presented by the growing diversity in the region, backed by the recently created Gran Vino de Rueda category. James Lawrence reports.

Cava bounces back in 2022

Published: 25 April, 2023

After facing economic challenges the year before, 2022 saw Cava achieve some noteworthy results – total sales rose to 249,135 million bottles, an increase of 4.58% on 2021.

USA: Wine for the many, not the few

Published: 25 April, 2023

David Kermode looks at the United States’ Pinot, Chardonnay and Bordeaux-style blends and the opportunities for these in the face of ever-rising Burgundy and Bordeaux prices.

Round table: Nova Scotia delivers

Published: 17 April, 2023

A round table focusing on this Atlantic-cooled region revealed a wealth of vinous diversity and serious strength in sparkling, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Hungary for UK listings

Published: 12 April, 2023

With sweet, dry and sparkling production, in 2023 the Hungarian region of Tokaj is an energetic all-rounder with a top-end pedigree. However, the best wines still aren’t always necessarily making their way to the UK, writes Jo Gilbert.

Bordeaux 2022: The weather factor

Published: 11 April, 2023

With the world descending on the region to taste the latest vintage, here’s how the weather shaped the style of the wines. Gavin Quinney delivers part one of his annual report.

Unearthing South America's treasures

Published: 03 April, 2023

Jo Gilbert catches up with the UK’s South America specialists, diving into what styles they are getting behind and why.

Producers on sustainability in South America

Published: 31 March, 2023

Jo Gilbert catches up with some of South America’s leaders in organic and sustainable winemaking to see where the road goes from here.

Argentina: Taking organic to the next level

Published: 29 March, 2023

Mendoza deserves its reputation as a pioneering force in sustainable viticulture – the region now has 7,300ha of vines under organic management, which represents approximately 11% of all organic viticulture in the world. Moreover, several of the region’s leading wineries are planning to adopt biodynamic viticulture in due course – the logical next step in this important journey.

South America: Beyond the big hitters

Published: 27 March, 2023

Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide gives her take on those lesser-known yet infinitely interesting wine-producing nations such as Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, to see what styles are sticking to the wall.

Uruguay sets out diverse stall at largest UK tasting to date

Published: 24 March, 2023

It’s time to pay attention when Uruguay comes to town these days, especially when the opportunity arises to taste through a hand-picked selection of the best of the ‘new wave’ wines.

South America: Diversity does the talking

Published: 24 March, 2023

David Kermode goes on a goes on a varietal journey among South America’s big players, looking at what commercial gains have been made in Chile and Argentina.

Lebanon round table: East meets West

Published: 22 March, 2023

Inviting curious trade palates to taste and discuss Lebanese wines for the UK market, co-hosts Andrew Catchpole and Harpers Lebanon Report author Michael Karam unearthed a wealth of enthusiasm for the country’s engaging offer.

In search of Portugal’s national treasures

Published: 17 March, 2023

Justin Keay looks at the Portuguese regions once passed over by importers.

Spain now has confidence to ‘walk naked in the street’

Published: 14 March, 2023

Champions of Spain’s diversity articulate a wine scene that has for some time been generating excitement, revealing an increasingly compelling collective offer, with individuality, accessibility and sense of place to the fore. The country has been dubbed by some as the ‘New World of the Old’, in recognition of its ongoing innovation.