Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Britain’s new low & no HQ

Published: 26 February, 2023

Jo Gilbert went along to Club Soda’s permanent bar/shop in Covent Garden to test out an innovative new concept.

Indies: Weighing up the options

Published: 24 February, 2023

With merchants facing unprecedented upward price pressures, Andrew Catchpole assesses what can be done.

Trevor Gulliver can certainly talk, but then he has much of interest to say. As business partner to Fergus Henderson and his very individual style of cooking, he’s one half of the seminal nose-to-tail restaurant St John, which radically reset the idea of what modern British food could be. To this day, a deceptive simplicity underpins the quality of what is on the plate. Since St John’s first outpost opened its doors in 1994, this Smithfield icon has had a huge influence on the ever-evolving British dining scene. A little like the Delta blues and its influence on modern rock & roll. And one of St John’s biggest disciples, the late Anthony Bourdain, would have likely enjoyed that musical analogy.

Burgundy 2021: A car crash waiting to happen?

Published: 20 February, 2023

Low yields and high quality have caused prices for Burgundy vintage 2021 to soar. James Bayley assesses the outlook in an increasingly febrile market.

Taste off: Tasmania vs England

Published: 17 February, 2023

In the first of our new series, Andrew Catchpole invited a panel to put Tasmanian and English sparkling wines through their paces.

Multiples: Delivering options

Published: 15 February, 2023

With reliance on delivery services continuing to rise, James Bayley looks at how Ocado is capitalising on the trend.

Analysis: Tougher ad guidelines

Published: 13 February, 2023

For a long time, alcohol’s advertising regulations have been clear. Led by the CAP and BCAP codes for broadcast and non-broadcast media, ASA rulings and the Portman Group’s Code of Conduct, advertising of licensed and age-restricted products in the UK should not incite people to adopt styles of drinking that are unwise, target under 18s or encourage excessive drinking. Ads cannot be portrayed as mood boosting or therapeutic, either – something Brewdog discovered when it tried to market its hard seltzer cans with a wink and a nod to industry watchdogs.

Scotland’s tidal wave of challenges

Published: 10 February, 2023

From the Deposit Return Scheme to a new consultation paper on restricting alcohol advertising, the Scottish drinks industry faces a barrage of problems. James Bayley reports.

Australia’s trendsetters

Published: 08 February, 2023

James Lawrence looks at the likely shapers of Australia’s wine industry into 2023.

Low & no and the big shift in drinking

Published: 06 February, 2023

With moderate drinking trends hitting all sorts of milestones and headlines in 2022, Jo Gilbert asks, was that the year low & no went mainstream?

Rum: A global spirit

Published: 03 February, 2023

From the Indian Ocean to the UK, via Denmark, Canada and Japan, growing pockets of quality production outside the Caribbean are turning rum into a truly global affair, writes Jo Gilbert.

South Africa: Cape reset

Published: 01 February, 2023

South Africa’s industry has had a roller-coaster ride, but it may just come out stronger, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Exclusive: Bordeaux WineCap insights

Published: 30 January, 2023

While global stock and bond markets had a turbulent 2022, the fine wine sector has continued to perform strongly. Thanks to its low correlation with mainstream asset classes and defensive characteristics, fine wine is attracting a wider investor audience.

Multiples: Keeping wine accessible

Published: 27 January, 2023

Co-op and Asda BWS buyers tell James Bayley how they are attempting to ensure their consumers can continue to enjoy value-for-money wines in the bleak economic landscape.

Tech and Innovation: Looking to the future

Published: 25 January, 2023

Following a strong year in 2022 in terms of technological advances and innovation, Jo Gilbert asked the trade’s key crystal ball-gazers to share their predictions for 2023.

Chianti Classico: A landscape of change

Published: 23 January, 2023

Chianti Classico is ramping up focus on its diversity as its new UGA Gran Selezione wines reach the market. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Ups and downs of Christmas trading

Published: 20 January, 2023

Celebrating the return of a ‘normal Christmas’ offered up much-needed sales for indies towards the back end of 2022, though overall performance was impacted by the spread of late sales and location. Jo Gilbert reports.

Lebanon: Rebirth and renewal

Published: 16 January, 2023

In a Harpers exclusive, Lebanese expert Michael Karam shares his new, in-depth report on his native Lebanon’s wine industry, with a scene-setting introduction here and the full content published online at Harpers.co.uk

Chris Losh: Hospitality sector reels from strikes

Published: 16 January, 2023

In the middle of December an interview between Richard Madeley of Good Morning Britain and Mick Lynch, head of the RMT union, went viral. Stick with it –

Inflation survey: squeezed in the middle

Published: 13 January, 2023

With inflationary pressures bearing down and the cost of living crisis biting, Harpers invited indies to respond to our Dealing with Price Inflation survey, to build a picture of how merchants are coping and what increases are being introduced. Andrew Catchpole rounds up the feedback.