Country Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

English Sparkling: Boom or bust?

Published: 24 May, 2024

With rumblings of oversupply in the market and the UK’s biggest-ever crush in 2023, Jo Gilbert asks, could the bubble be about to burst for English wine?

Premiumising Spain’s white wines

Published: 22 May, 2024

Justin Keay takes a pan-regional look at Spain’s white wines as more young winemakers look to experiment and revive older varieties.

South America Report: Malbec 2.0

Published: 01 May, 2024

Malbec continues to dominate Argentina’s wine exports, but it is undergoing a radical transformation. Amanda Barnes reports.

South America Report: Evolving Argentina

Published: 29 April, 2024

Argentina continues to diversify in styles and sites, with an ever-growing buffet of wines from across the country. Amanda Barnes samples the main trends.

South America report: Chile’s new frontiers

Published: 26 April, 2024

Following a recent visit, Andrew Catchpole gives a flavour of how the south is reshaping perception of Chile.

South America report: Evolution & tradition in Chile

Published: 26 April, 2024

Chile’s fresh, terroir-focused ‘alternative’ styles are helping refocus attention on its finest wines too, as Andrew Catchpole reports.

South America report: Argentina

Published: 24 April, 2024

Prices and volumes from Argentina dipped in 2023, although that followed several years of strong growth for export market-leading Malbec and with the proviso that prices per bottle have held firm. Overall production dipped significantly in 2023 for all varieties, with prices paid per quintal (approx 46kg) of Malbec in the main production area, Mendoza, shooting up (see chart), according to the Argentinian Viticulture Observatory.

South America report: Chile by the numbers

Published: 24 April, 2024

There’s no escaping that Chile had a tough year in its export markets in 2023, with bottled wines falling 21% below 2022 levels. And, while the average price remained steady, at US$29.3 per 9-litre case, the US$1,234m-generating 42.2 million boxes shipped globally fell back to volume export levels last seen 15 years ago (Asociación de Vinos de Chile figs).

Trumpeting change in the USA

Published: 17 April, 2024

Andrew Catchpole considers how an ongoing shift in style is reshaping perception of US wines across The Pond.

In praise of Zweigelt

Published: 28 February, 2024

A campaign to promote Neusiedlersee as Austria’s leading producer of this red wine is starting to pay dividends. James Bayley reports.

How the world opened to Austria

Published: 26 February, 2024

Justin Keay talks to the cutting-edge producers taking Austria away from a somewhat checkered past and into the future.

The lighter side of kiwi wines

Published: 23 February, 2024

Moving past the Sauvignon haze, which accounts for 80% of the country’s production, New Zealand-based writer and winemaker Oliver Styles looks beyond the heavy-hitting whites and reds led by Pinot Noir, to those new and interesting varieties coming up behind.

Portugal: Big moves

Published: 31 January, 2024

Portugal has moved from a niche proposition to a wine for everyday drinking as its diverse portfolio lines up with modern tastes, writes Jo Gilbert.

Australia: Looking up

Published: 29 January, 2024

With Australia seeking a premium boost, Andrew Catchpole asks if its classic or contemporary styles are best positioned to deliver an ‘Oz reset’ in the UK.

The rising tide of Nova Scotia

Published: 03 January, 2024

Canada’s smallest region it may be, but Nova Scotia has big ambitions to climb on to the world stage. Andrew Catchpole reports.

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.

Georgia’s Natural Progression

Published: 14 November, 2023

It’s been a decade since Georgian wine hit UK lists. Michael Karam charts the hype, the reality and the what next?

Spain Report: Rioja Q&A

Published: 08 November, 2023

James Bayley speaks to a handful of key producers driving Rioja in export markets and what initiatives they have to take this forward…

Spain report: Extremes roundtable with Ramón Bilbao

Published: 06 November, 2023

Andrew Catchpole gathered a specialist panel to explore the evolution and boundary pushing across Spain.

Spain Report: Owen Morgan on Sherry

Published: 03 November, 2023

Founder of the award-winning 44 Group of tapas restaurants, bars and a hotel, self-confessed sherry fanatic Owen Morgan gives his pointers on how to take the category forward.