Interview: Majestic's new boss Rowan Gormley and Naked's Eamon FitzGerald on the company's new era

Majestic's new chief executive Rowan Gormley and Naked's managing director Eamon FitzGerald talk about the future of the new company.

Smith Report: Election 2015: trade impact

The 2015 General Election has been a close call right to the end. But are the potential impacts the results could have on the drinks trade?

Premium Spirits Round table: Defining premium spirits

Artisanal spirits may be all the rage, but, at a recently hosted roundtable, a panel of leading buyers and producers debated whether that meant they were premium.

Q&A: Damian Clarke of Freixenet's UK says his past work with FMCGs is helping to build stronger brands in wine trade

After a career spanning many leading grocery brands, Freixenet's UK boss Damian Clarke explains how his classic FMCG training is paying dividends in sparkling wine in the UK.

The Smith Report: Why social media participation for wine brands is increasingly more important

The ongoing battle for the return on investment from social media is about to get a bit more complicated with the Google and Twitter partnership.

Fortified wines see sales declining, but there are still opportunties for the category

Despite declining volumes, there are still ample opportunities for growth and innovation within the fortified wine category.

Riecine: Bringing a touch of Englishness to the Tuscan hills

The English have long beaten a path to the rolling hills of Tuscany for their holidays. Twenty-four years ago winemaker Sean O'Callaghan did just that - but he never left and has been making wines at Riecine winery ever since

Analysis: Majestic's acquisition of Naked Wines

Majestic Wines' acquisition of Naked Wines, and the appointment of Rowan Gormley as its new chief executive, will see the launch of a new international multi-channel wine retailing group. 

Increased polarisation of Australian wine market widens gap between winners and losers

The Australian wine market is becoming increasingly polarised as many bulk grape producers and grape wine growers appear to be on the brink of  collapse, while premium wine producers seem to be growing in both value and volume.

How California's pursuit of balance is now producing breakthrough wines

The 21^st century has seen a remarkable upsurge in the plantings of Pinot Noir throughout California, from a crush of 53,050 tons in 2000 to 248,469 in 2012. Concentrated on areas such as Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Napa, and Mendocino, the upturn in the grape's fortunes has been matched by quality. The Sideways effect is much cited, but more important has been the discovery of sites, often near the coast, suited to this difficult grape variety and a different approach from the traditional Californian style of fruity, jammy Pinot.

En primeur risks "exodus" unless it rebalances, Vin-X boss warns

A fine wine investment expert has warned that the en primeur system risks seeing an exodus of châteaux from the system and negociants going to the wall, unless it gets its pricing "right".

Best of British: we celebrate Top Merchants around the country

In part two of our Best of British feature, Harpers takes a look at three more independent wine merchants to keep your eyes on.

ProWein Preview: The Brits are coming!

Downtown Düsseldorf will be the place to be this March as ProWein opens its doors to hordes of international buyers - with the Brits increasingly first in the queue. Here is what you can expect for arguably the largest drinks tradeshow in the world.

Country analysis: Californian wines hit the jackpot in the UK

It seems California wines have struck gold in the UK in recent years, as the value of US wine exports has exponentially grown within the global wine market, despite volumes staying relatively stable, writes Erin Smith

March for the Independents: Harpers exclusive poll finds a growing split between large and small independents

There is a growing split between the scale, performance and growth of the country's independent wine merchants, according to an exclusive poll conducted for Harpers March for the Independents conference and campaign.

The Smith Report: implications for the wine trade as euro tumbles

The euro has been having a rough time of it lately, which has implications for the wine world and may cause things to change over the next couple of months.

Exclusive Google tips: 10 ways wine could can tell a better story online with video

Key trade figures came together last month to discuss with Google how to use online video, in a seminar organised by the School of Wine & Spirits Business in Dijon and supported by Harpers.

UK vs France: the differences in marketing regulation of alcoholic drinks

If we think drinks legislation is inhibitive in the UK we only need look across the Channel to cheer ourselves. We asked Dr Tom Farrell and Dr Beno&icirct Lecat which system is more fit for purpose in the 21st century.

Mitchells & Butlers: what on-trade buyers are looking for from their suppliers

Former Somerfield wine buyer and restaurant consultant Angela Mount asks Henry Boyes, wine procurement manager for Mitchells & Butlers, what suppliers need to do to satisfy the largest on-trade group in the UK.

Crowdfunding: A saviour or white whale for the wine sector?