Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Together we can change the world

Published: 17 April, 2019

The 2019 Climate Change Leadership Conference called for the wine industry to set a global example. Lisa Riley reports

Risky business in Rioja

Published: 15 April, 2019

Rioja’s new single-vineyard classification signals the region’s desire to go after greater premium market share. The big question is, will it succeed?

The Naked Gun

Published: 11 April, 2019

The Majestic brand has taken a bullet and is soon to be haemorrhaging stores, handing an opportunity to independents to fill the gap. Jo Gilbert reports

Think France: Pitching the dragons

Published: 10 April, 2019

A Dragons’ Den-style debate opened Harpers exciting new Think France day of tastings and masterclasses, promising to be both lively and informative, and so it proved on the day, delivering passionate pitches across a host of diverse ideas aimed at benefitting the French wine category.

California rises from the ashes

Published: 08 April, 2019

Northern California’s wine industry continues to recover after the record-breaking wildfires of 2017.

Thinking holistically

Published: 03 April, 2019

Quality juice alone falls short of selling the whole wine experience. Andrew Catchpole tunes into the neuroscience behind good design

Eastern promise: Bulgaria and Hungary

Published: 01 April, 2019

After a few difficult vintages in western wine countries, central and eastern Europe are piquing buyers’ interest for well-made international varieties. Countries in these regions are increasingly seen as exciting for wine drinkers, offering an array of high-quality, authentic, local grapes and good-value wines that can offer a new story for retailers and sommeliers.

Harpers round table: Squaring up to sustainability

Published: 28 March, 2019

For the latest Harpers roundtable - in partnership with Lanchester Wines - industry experts gathered at the Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden to discuss pressing environmental issues and the commercial benefits of a sustainable approach to business.

Turning Heads

Published: 25 March, 2019

With an ageing consumer base, France’s big gun regions have been targeting younger audiences. James Lawrence assesses their success

Wine in the firing line

Published: 21 March, 2019

The modern world changes fast. In the past decade, we have gone from a situation of blithely choking on carbon monoxide from second-hand smoke every time we enter a pub or restaurant to a virtual ghettoisation of cigarettes. Before the ban most people would have thought this inconceivable. But it happened.

Cream of the crop

Published: 20 March, 2019

Champagne’s lesser-known cousin has its work cut out to stand out in the UK, where it is but a drop in an ocean of sparkling wine. It’s up for the challenge though, finds Jo Gilbert

Round Z

Published: 15 March, 2019

The younger generation is drinking less and spending less time in bars, but demanding more. Jo Gilbert finds out how bars can box clever.

Prowein turns 25

Published: 13 March, 2019

An anchor point in the calendar of the wine industry, the industry is busy gearing up for this year’s Prowein, a special 25th anniversary edition of the wine and spirits trade fair.

Harpers on Tour: Indies Down Under

Published: 13 March, 2019

There is a point on every trip, once travel fatigue has passed and the daily rhythm of tasting, talking and tucker becomes the norm, when a borrowed moment of freedom over a bottle of wine captures the spirit of the tour. During a recent indie merchant buyers trip to Australia this came in the refreshingly left-field shape of a magnum of Brash Higgins Zibibbo, providing a rather early sundowner in the leafy garden of the McLaren Vale Motel, as the group relaxed ahead of a big tasting and dinner.

Japan: ready to launch

Published: 13 March, 2019

Thanks to two key trade deals, Japan has increased its reach to a billion people so far in 2019. Jo Gilbert looks at the knock-on effect for the country’s drinkable exports

Taking rum to the next level

Published: 11 March, 2019

With rum in ascendancy, Harpers’ Think Rum panel debated how best to educate both trade and consumer as to the diversity and versatility of the category

Facing a Brexit hangover

Published: 08 March, 2019

A no-deal Brexit will deliver import chaos and a significant added cost burden to the UK trade. Andrew Catchpole reports

Liberty on-trade report shows premium wine in value growth

Published: 04 March, 2019

In what can only be described as turbulent times for the industry – marred by everything from a looming Brexit to duty hikes, staff shortages alongside wage increases and a significant drop in Britain’s core wine drinkers – the trade is facing an uphill struggle with good news stories few and far between.

France versus Italy: why the French are winning the aperitif game

Published: 01 March, 2019

This year marks 100 years since the birth of the new king of the cocktail world. Named after a thirsty Count who requested gin rather than soda water to be added to his favourite tipple, the negroni has played the long game, delighting drinkers with simple balance of Campari, sweet Italian vermouth, and of course, the juniper-based spirit. Today, it is number one cocktail served with gin – even more popular than the martini.