Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Insights: Mediterranean wines appeal rises as consumers become more adventurous

Published: 12 February, 2016

The search for the new and interesting is upping the ante for Greece, Croatia, Lebanon and Turkey. Justin Keay reports

Analysis: Conviviality brings Matthew Clark business into the fold

Published: 12 February, 2016

The impact of Conviviality's acquisition of Matthew Clark is just beginning to be felt as it renegotiates with suppliers

Insights: Is Portuguese wine finally taking hold in the UK?

Published: 10 February, 2016

Portugal ticks all the boxes when it comes to wine and yet remains under-represented on UK lists. But could it make its mark in 2016?

Insights: Independents best poised to gain if value can be returned to wine category

Published: 08 February, 2016

With supermarkets retrenching, independents stand to gain if value can be returned to the wine category

Analysis: Concha y Toro's mission to help build Chilean wine globally

Published: 08 February, 2016

Concha y Toro, the dominant Chilean wine company, is quietly trying to change the perception of the country's wines, as it embarks on a mission to help others in order to help itself.

Insights: Lidl's successful strategy

Published: 05 February, 2016

In an exclusive interview with Lidl's BWS buyer Ben Hulme, Angela Mount explores the strategy behind the success of the discounter's wine department

Analysis: The gin craze rages on

Published: 05 February, 2016

Offering beguiling botanicals with classy cohorts to match, Alice Lascelles explores the gin and mixer revolution

Insights: More women working in rum is helping the category thrive

Published: 04 February, 2016

The number of women in the rum industry is rising and it is happening across all levels of distilleries from top management to master blenders. The increased diversity within the workforce and at the top level is helping to build stronger businesses long-term.

Insights: Tailoring wine packaging to the consumer

Published: 03 February, 2016

Angela Mount visits Accolade Park and gets an inside look at the how the company creates and develops packaging and merchandising for today's customers.

Insights: On-trade needs to embrace social media to drive footfall and sales

Published: 28 January, 2016

There is a promising shift in the role of social media in the on-trade, but are pubs and bars missing out on a lucrative sales opportunity?

Insights: How can Italy communicate its regional diversity to consumers?

Published: 26 January, 2016

After visiting last week's Borsa Vini Italiani tasting, Justin Keay asks how much the average wine enthusiast really knows about Italy?

Analysis: Catalonia's rebellious Penedès region

Published: 26 January, 2016

In Catalonia, a region that has been actively trying to secede from Spain for the last 300 years, Catalans are nothing if not determined to shake up the staus quo..

Analysis: Suppliers today must be excellent service providers

Published: 25 January, 2016

Consolidation within the industry is happening across many channels and for suppliers to both the on- and off-trade, competing on supplying quality wines at competitive prices is no longer enough.

Insights: New Zealand wine styles and varieties diversify

Published: 21 January, 2016

New Zealand Winegrowers hosted the 35th annual trade tasting in London this week and the over 500 wines that were being poured demonstrated how New Zealand wine producers are looking to diversify the styles and varietals that are being exported. While this may be challenge to get consumers to understand some of the newer style Sauvignon Blancs being produced or take some convincing to get people to try a New Zealand red wine, it is an evolution that is exciting and needed for the wine regions within the country.

Insights: Is Scotch whisky fighting a possible hangover?

Published: 19 January, 2016

Increased competition from American bourbon and Irish whiskey producers are challenging the single malt Scotch whisky category, but could education and brand building initiatives help the category?

Analysis: Non-alcoholic drinks an upsell opportunity for the on-trade

Published: 15 January, 2016

With an increasing number of consumers cutting down on their drinking but not their socialising, Jo Bruce looks at the rise in demand in the on-trade for more exciting non-alcoholic drinks

Insights: Ayo Akintola's keys for success on social media following #WhatTheFox campaign

Published: 14 January, 2016

Ayo Akintola, the managing director of Oddbins, shared some of his recent learnings following the successful social media campaign the quirky retailer launched over the Christmas trading period.

Insights: New Zealand wine no longer just about Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 14 January, 2016

With sales of Sauvignon Blanc dominating the New Zealand category, retailers are encouraging consumers to look at the country's wine offer with a fresh set of eyes.

Interview: Mike James is Aldi's ace in the pack

Published: 13 January, 2016

Mike James, wine buying director at Aldi UK, is driving a category which is driving a discounter at the forefront of the industry. Erin Smith reports on the changing face of its wine range