Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sangiovese – Tuscan star

Published: 23 June, 2021

Michèle Shah charts the fortunes of grape variety reaching new heights, despite the challenge of climate change.

Brighter days ahead for Italy

Published: 22 June, 2021

Despite a challenging year for all involved across the trade, Italian wine is showing promising growth potential, as Jacopo Mazzeo reports

Vodka: Back to basics

Published: 21 June, 2021

With the on-trade revving its engine post-lockdown, Aleesha Hansel delves into the bar world to find out where this enduringly popular spirit is heading next

Bordeaux en primeur report 2020

Published: 17 June, 2021

Is 2020 another top Bordeaux vintage and what are the chances of a strong en primeur campaign after the success of the 2019s? Gavin Quinney, our man in Bordeaux, reports

Technology: Power of the network

Published: 17 June, 2021

The phrase ‘content is king’ gained new meaning at this year’s LWF where two sessions focused on how runaway digital adoption rates among consumers are leading to seismic shifts around how the industry markets and sells wine. Jo Gilbert reports.

2021 Drinks Wholesaler Spotlight

Published: 16 June, 2021

We surveyed the trade asking how drinks suppliers have evolved their businesses in response to the pandemic. Andrew Catchpole rounds up the responses.

Online sales still booming

Published: 15 June, 2021

Sales of alcohol online have remained strong despite the fuller opening of the on-trade, signalling how buying BWS online has become a way of life during the pandemic, as Jo Gilbert reports.

Hospitality under pressure

Published: 14 June, 2021

In a piece written before the government warned of a one-month delay to Covid restrictions lifting, Jacopo Mazzeo takes the temperature of the UK on-trade as staff shortages and restrictions continue to eat into venues’ ability to turn a profit.

Harpers Wine Stars Awards 2021: Italy

Published: 10 June, 2021

Highlighting the people and places wowing the judges in the Harpers Wine Stars Awards.

The pros and cons of LWF

Published: 09 June, 2021

As a first, it was hard to predict how well last month’s London Wine Fair (LWF) Digital Edition would work for both visitors and exhibitors. Lisa Riley reports.

Events: A hybrid future

Published: 09 June, 2021

With a degree of normality beginning to return, Andrew Catchpole gets a taste of the tastings to come.

More uncertainty over re-opening

Published: 08 June, 2021

With the rise of the Indian variant, the promised land of no restrictions is looking unlikely for this month. Lisa Riley reports.

Meeting demand: How suppliers have risen to the reopening challenge

Published: 07 June, 2021

The demand from the on-trade has been ‘huge’ following outdoor (12 April) and indoor (17 May) hospitality reopening. Jo Gilbert speaks to some of the UK’s leading suppliers to ask how they’ve managed to keep stock flowing.

Canada’s Cool Climate Sensibility

Published: 03 June, 2021

Harpers’ recent Canadian-flavoured webinar looked at the emerging regions and styles from this exciting country as it emerges onto the global wine scene, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

Backing a (indie) winning wine

Published: 02 June, 2021

The countries and regions most tipped by UK merchants to be the year’s hot new thing. Andrew Catchpole reports.

New players in the mix

Published: 01 June, 2021

Kate Hawkings tastes her way through the roster of new mixers coming to market, looking beyond gin to the versatility of this ever-evolving sector.

Logistics: Taking stock of change for better business

Published: 27 May, 2021

Simon Jack delves into the ins and outs of warehousing and stock management, looking at how this vital part of the industry is continuing to evolve amidst the ever changing circumstances of the past year

Enjoying the great outdoors

Published: 26 May, 2021

With some restrictions easing but others still in place, drinks companies are capitalising on practical solutions to outdoor drinking, as Lisa Riley reports.

Innovation Report: Building strength in numbers

Published: 25 May, 2021

Our Collaboration as a Force for Change webinar looked at how the rapid channel innovation of the past year has broken down barriers for trade. Jo Gilbert reports from the session.

Sizing up Spain

Published: 24 May, 2021

Despite the twin pressures of Covid and Brexit, Spain’s wines have managed to stay in relatively good shape thanks to an uplift in off-trade sales. Andrew Catchpole reports.