People & Opinion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Interview with Ze'ev Dunie of Seahorse Winery

Published: 26 November, 2014

Interview with Ze'ev Dunie of Seahorse Winery, Judea Hills

#LidlSurprises and #AldiFestiveFeast host pop up restaurants in London

Published: 26 November, 2014

It seems the German discounters are not content at ripping up the UK grocery retail sector, they are now having a go at the on-trade too with news that they are moving into the ever popular world of pop-up restaurants.

Chief of the Week: Tyler Balliet and Wine Riot

Published: 21 November, 2014

Now fast talking young American dudes are not totally original when it comes to breaking through in the wine trade. Anyone who has come within half a mile of Gary Vaynerchuk could vouch for that.

Is this the best mini bar in the world?

Published: 21 November, 2014

As mini bars go they don't get much more impressive than this.

The Vineyard in Dorking has an offer it wants its supppliers to refuse

Published: 13 November, 2014

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but not always.

Big Brother on whisky watch

Published: 12 November, 2014

There are some mysterious goings on in the world of whisky this week. Jura distillery has been inviting everyone to a seriously hush-hush event about a new whisky. But it doesn't say what that whisky is.

To boldly go where no wine tasting has gone before

Published: 12 November, 2014

Wine conferences around the world will soon have an excuse to tap up William Shatner as their guest speaker.

It's all about the bubbles: from one rapper to another

Published: 07 November, 2014

Bubbles have long been beloved by the rich and famous. And that love in turn helps to spread the love more widely and boom! you've got a stellar success, says the Claret Pimpernel.

Chiefs of the week: Harpers Rising Stars for Wine Vision

Published: 07 November, 2014

We don't just have one Chief of the Week for you this time round, but eight. Yes the eight stand out winners who we have selected to receive the Harpers Rising Stars Grant to attend this month's Wine Vision conference in London.

Stephen Forward: drinks industry under attack!

Published: 07 November, 2014

If you thought fox hunting had been banned, think again. It appears the concept has just mutated. Some people still get a thrill from the chase, so while it may be illegal to hunt and kill bushy tailed carnivorous mammals using horns, dogs and horses, a new form of hunting has now evolved.

Guy Woodward: even Champagne has a lot to learn about consumers

Published: 07 November, 2014

Comedian and writer David Mitchell is among the more perceptive columnists for the once great Observer, so it was with interest that I read his piece on how the taste of Champagne doesn't matter. When it comes to serving sparkling wine, he claimed, so long as it has bubbles, and says Champagne and not Cava on the label, any further qualities are immaterial.

Quick thinking Google chief hopes to seduce Jancis Robinson with a phone upgrade

Published: 04 November, 2014

Those Google folk don't miss a trick - I guess they would not be working there if they did.

The Bibendum PLB "supergroup" is all set to make beautiful music together

Published: 31 October, 2014

Supergroup. That's the word on the street this week. There's a new one in the wine trade this week. Haven't you heard? Bibendum PLB.

Jerry Lockspeiser on why we could all do our bit to help in fight against ebola

Published: 31 October, 2014

The Millione wine brand is a social business started by myself, Cliff Roberson and Mike Paul. All profits are used to build primary schools in Sierra Leone. Four schools have been running successfully and the fifth is half built.

Chief of the Week: Michael Saunders

Published: 30 October, 2014

There really can only be one stand out personality in the wine and spirits world this week. Yes, Michael Saunders the new chief of the combined Bibendum PLB group following the former's takeover of the latter earlier this week.

Whatever happened to common sense?

Published: 28 October, 2014

We've all heard the term "more money than sense", haven't we? Well, recently I was offered a case of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti 2011, at a mere £100,000 per dozen.

Chief of the Week: Anne Burchett, managing director, Sopexa UK

Published: 24 October, 2014

As we have put such a focus on French wines this week with the France Summit it is only fitting that our Chief of the Week is none other than Anne Burchett, managing director of Sopexa UK, who won the Harpers Special Achievement Award at our French Wine Awards.

Piper-Heidsieck Chef de Caves Régis Camus' 20th anniversary

Published: 23 October, 2014

Mr. Camus joined Piper Heidsieck in 1994, quickly proving himself a master blender and taking an interest in every aspect of winemaking. "Style and quality are the result of many subjective decisions taken throughout the process as a whole, from harvesting right through to shipping. Therefore, one must be mult-italented, know what one wants and accept no compromise whatsoever as far as quality is concerned."

Chief of the week: Ian Burrell - the world's rum ambassador

Published: 17 October, 2014

As job titles go global rum ambassador is one to brag about with your mates down the pub. Really? Your job is to go around the world talking about and tasing and drinking rum?

It's time wine investment was confined to the history books

Published: 15 October, 2014

This year has seen a string of investment companies go to the wall. Misguided speculators are learning the hard way that the whole concept of wine as an investment class asset is little more than fool's gold.