Analysis & Insights - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Design: Shelf appeal

Published: 02 January, 2024

Jo Gilbert goes back to basics with the big four design agencies to find out what has changed in recent years and what it takes for wines and spirits to win today’s shelf wars.

Tech: Alt formats the future

Published: 22 December, 2023

Jo Gilbert reports from November’s World Bulk Wine Exhibition, where the leaders of the alternative packaging movement were on the hunt for world domination.

Embracing change in Rioja

Published: 20 December, 2023

Setting out to discover the renewed dynamism and diversity in Spain’s flagship DO, Harpers teamed up with Wines of Rioja to host an indie merchant buying trip to the region. Andrew Catchpole reports.

Wine bulks up in value

Published: 20 December, 2023

Following the World Bulk Wine Exhibition in Amsterdam, James Bayley catches up with the OIV to get the global view.

Waitrose battles carbon

Published: 18 December, 2023

Waitrose has put emphasis on bulk wine shipping as an important factor in reducing its carbon footprint. James Bayley reports.

Analysis: Oddbins and the long goodbye

Published: 15 December, 2023

Jason Millar contemplates Oddbins’ legacy and what we might learn from its demise.

Analysis: Critical thinking

Published: 13 December, 2023

From traditional print critics to social’s influencers, by way of encroaching AI, David Kermode weighs up the evolution of the critic.

On-trade: All I want for Christmas…

Published: 11 December, 2023

With the festive period upon us, Chris Losh asks how restaurants might fashion a silk purse out of a pig of a trading climate.

Indie shoppers driven by price and sustainability

Published: 06 December, 2023

New research highlights what informs choice for customers of independent specialists. By James Bayley.

Sustainability Report: Plotting Progress

Published: 05 December, 2023

James Lawrence charts the progress being made by the growing number of Harpers Sustainability Charter participants.

Sustainability Report: Regenerative viticulture

Published: 04 December, 2023

With a big buzz around regenerative viticulture, Andrew Catchpole digs down for a closer view.

Sustainability Report: The insetting mission

Published: 01 December, 2023

All parts of the wine supply chain – from producers to retailers – can find ways to minimise their environmental impact. James Bayley reports.

Sustainability Report: Aiding ethical consumers

Published: 29 November, 2023

The alcohol industry is tasked with helping consumers bridge the gap between their appetite for sustainable solutions and following through, writes Jo Gilbert.

South Africa’s Old Vine Project

Published: 28 November, 2023

Sophia Longhi looks at how South Africa’s Old Vine Project is bringing value to the UK market.

Navigating Port’s choppy waters

Published: 27 November, 2023

In some quarters, Port sales received something of a lockdown boost as consumers made the most of longer, more relaxed at-home-drinking occasions. Jo Gilbert asks, can restaurants utilise this goodwill to maximise sales this winter?

Henry Jeffreys: Whisky goes global

Published: 24 November, 2023

Henry Jeffreys looks beyond Scotch and more latterly Japan, to those countries which have emerged as serious, sellable propositions for the trade.

Headline Heroes: A question of time for Champagne

Published: 22 November, 2023

David Kermode quizzes the experts about why lees ageing is so important when it comes to the finest Champagnes.

Round table: In association with DO Penedes

Published: 21 November, 2023

At this Catalan DO’s first London outing, Harpers convened a panel to debate the region’s indigenous appeal.

Labelling challenge to wine

Published: 20 November, 2023

As part of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the largest modification to wine labelling in the EU in over a century comes into effect next month, forcing producers to embrace new technology, writes Jo Gilbert.