The week that was

By Andrew Catchpole

Published: 22 September, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Top stories: Champagne has delivered the earliest harvest for over half a century, mirroring many other regions as Europe's 2017 harvest comes in.

Meanwhile, to coincide with our popular Specialist Importers Trade Tastings (SITT) in Bristol and London this week, Harpers spoke to independent buyers about the pros and cons of dealing with smaller and more focused suppliers.

Elsewhere, news that the squeeze on the on-trade continues, with pubs and bars losing over half a million punters in just two years to stay-at-home drinking highlighted the on-going shifts in drinking habits among the British public.

• Champagne harvest one of the earliest in 67 years

• Wanderlust e-merchant sets out to help wine-lovers “explore”

• The Pinot Noir Alliance announces first session

• Ramon Bilbao opens new Rueda winery

• Indie buyers on the benefits and drawbacks of dealing with specialist suppliers

• Pubs and bars lose 611,000 regulars in two years

Analysis and Insights: Research suggests that the trend to drink ‘less but better’ in the on-trade is slowing as consumers begin to rein in spend as Brexit-related costs filter through.

The importance of accredited training when it comes to upselling and boosting sales of premium products is revealed in a new case study based on a WSET partnership with the trade.

And, as early harvests across Europe come in, we once again highlight the vintage deficit, examining the vintage 2017 shortfalls across the Continent.

• Premium on-trade sales growth slows

• Pushing the premium: The proof is in the training

• Europe's harvest woes

People and Opinion: The newly anointed head honcho of London Wine Fair, Hannah Tovey, reveals her vision for evolving the UKs annual wine fest.

Guy Woodward asked if Gerard Basset is wine’s most competitive man, and Tim Atkin deconstructed reactions to Lidl recent frenzy inducing deal of a case of Prosecco for £20.

• Q&A: Hannah Tovey, head of the London Wine Fair

• Guy Woodward: Gerard Basset - wine's most competitive man?

• Tim Atkin MW: Lidl’s Prosecco party

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