Insights: What wine trends will be driving this year's festive period

et the planning, stock, marketing and sales mix right and Christmas should deliver a bumper season, with a sales uplift over the extended period that, for many, can come close to matching the take for the rest of the year. Conversely, though, at its most extreme, depressed or underperforming, Christmas trading can seriously impact on the ongoing health of a business. Which is why it is so important to make the most of this seasonal drinkfest.

Insights: Retailers' Christmas strategies revealed

Analysis: Spirits brands set to make the most of Christmas trading period

With the 12 weeks leading up to Christmas the most crucial for all in the drinks trade, Erin Smith looks at how the spirits sector fares at this time of year.

Analysis: Greatest Champagne vintage for 70 years?

Geoffery Dean gets the inside scoop on this year's harvest from some of the iconic Champagne houses

Analysis: Gavin Quinney weighs in on the Bordeaux harvest 2015 and how the 'rule of five' may come into play

As the harvest draws to a close in Bordeaux, Gavin Quinney talks us through the early predictions and explains why the 'Bordeaux rule of five' is likely to come into play this year

Insights: Australian wines move away from French varietals

Australian winemakers have long been moving away from hefty, high alcohol wines towards less oaked, cooler climate wines, with the growth of Pinot Grigio from Mornington Peninsular a prime example. However, the trend to also move away from the once overwhelming focus on French varietals seems to be growing.

WSTA Annual Conference: The importance of brand values in building loyalty

At the annual WSTA conference last month we heard leading members of the marketing world discuss the importance of brand loyalty in the digital age.

Analysis: "Other" sparkling wines are taking a greater slice of the market

As sales of sparkling wine go from strength to strength, Jane Parkinson takes a look at the other sparklers attempting to challenge the might of Champagne, Cava and Prosecco.

Troy Christensen: The future strategy of Enotria

From wine's commercial coalface to the premium on-trade, Enotria's boss Troy Christensen is proving to be a dynamic player keen to shake up the status quo. He talks about why premium remains his mantr

Interview: Inside the Conviviality supergroup with chief Diana Hunter

Head of Conviviality Diana Hunter talks about the company's reverse takeover of Matthew Clark and what it could mean for the trade.

Analysis: Port, a very British Tradtion

The Christmas trading period has historically been Port's chance to shine in the UK and this year looks set to be no exception.

Analysis: White Bordeaux on the up?

The Bordelais may have had a few tough vintages in row for its reds wines, but could their dry whites be on the rise?

Insights: Why the super-premium and ultra-rare bottles spirits market is heating up

A growing demand for super-premium and ultra-rare bottles of whisky and Cognac has created a fiercely competitive market for the very best spirits. Why is it happening now?

Analysis: A rise in white and red wines from Bordeaux demostrate its diversity

Looking beyond red and the hype of en primeur there seems to be a resurgence in white and rosé wines from Bordeaux.

Insights: How effective are sponsorship deals really?

As the Rugby World Cup fast approaches, Harpers.co.uk looks at the lucrative sponsorship deals and the drinks brands lucky enough to have landed them.

Analysis: What is driving the craft beer craze in the on-trade?

There's no doubt the craft beer movement that started in the US has migrated across the pond to UK shores and is here to stay. And with the craft beer boom showing no signs of slowing, the on-trade is poised to capitalise on this unquenchable thirst.

Harpers Global Design Awards 2015: The Results

The competition to stand out not just on-shelf but also on-screen means there is intense pressure on wine producers, suppliers and, most of all, the creative and design agencies behind the labels to really up their game. Here are the results from the first worldwide Harpers Design Awards where we invited entries from around the world, attracting designs from the US, Australia and across Europe.

Analysis: Amazon's one-hour delivery put to the test

The speed at which wine, spirits and beers can be delivered to homes is changing with services such as Amazon Prime Now. But does it deliver?

Analysis: The power of building an online community

As Tesco's online Wine Community closes its virtual doors the trade weighs in on how important digital engagement in the wine world has become.

IRI launches service to give drinks companies insight into whether digital media campaigns work

Retail intelligence company IRI has launched a new service which it claims will help drinks marketers understand the impact of digital media activity on their brands' sales in shops.