Smartphones boost consumer interest in wine while ‘knowledge’ slides

The world’s wine drinkers are quickly becoming a population of confident connoisseurs thanks to widespread access to the internet and the ubiquity of smartphones. But are they any more knowledgeable offline?

New MD steps up at Lanson UK ahead of major brand overhaul

Robert Rand has been appointed as The House of Lanson’s new UK managing director as the company prepares to unveil several far reaching changes to its range. 

Henschke manages fire woes while bolstered China and Armenia get a look in at Liberty tasting

Liberty Wines returned to The Oval for its annual shebang yesterday with a number of new stars to brighten up what turned out to be an exceptionally dismal afternoon weather-wise.

One in three drinkers cutting back on consumption

One-third of UK drinkers are consuming less alcohol than they were 12 months ago, according to new research.

Jascots lists Barbaresco producer Rivetti

London-based on-trade distributor Jascots has added organic Barbaresco and Barolo producer Massimo Rivetti to its list.

Events guide 2020: What not to miss

James Lawrence looks ahead to some of the essential trade dates across another busy year

Essex farmer launches first British grown Baijiu

Baijiu, China’s most popular and enduring spirit, has continued its outward march into international markets over the past year with a new London-based spirits body and a global partnership with Pernod Ricard.

Former Blue Peter presenter jumps ship to head up Mangrove marketing

Greek winery expands in London on-trade

Greek winery T-Oinos is celebrating new listings at a range of top restaurants in London.

Henschke drops Enotria for Liberty Wines

Iconic family-owned Australian wine producer Henschke has appointed Liberty Wines as its UK agent.

Jerry Lockspeiser: The essential Christmas gift for every wine entrepreneur

About twenty years ago I tried to sell a sparkling wine from Italy that was almost unknown in the UK market. We were a significant supplier to the major retailers and worked closely with them on new product development ideas, from lesser known grape varieties, regions and countries, to new styles and packaging for better-known wines. My Italian sparkling wine was from a medium sized organic producer whose wines we had won listings for, but the buyers felt that it was not well known enough in our market and wouldn’t sell. It was, of course, Prosecco.

Spotlight on 2020: Hugh Sturges, Jeroboams

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

A taste of the Occitanie

Harpers hosted a round table in association with La Région Occitanie to assess the scope for encouraging UK consumers to trade up in this diverse corner of France

Spotlight on 2020: Simon Doyle, Concha y Toro UK

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Spotlight on 2020: Andy Talbot, Off-Piste Wines

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Spotlight on 2020: Damian Clarke, Freixenet Copestick

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers looks back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

WSET Educator of the Year shortlist revealed

The ten-strong shortlist for the WSET’s Educator of the Year has been announced.

Global organic wine sales to double in a decade

Organic wine consumption worldwide is set to hit around a billion bottles a year by 2023, a new report from organic wine fair Millésime Bio suggests.

UK pub numbers on the rise again

The number of British pubs has increased for the first time in a decade, analysis from hospitality sector software start-up Stampede has revealed.

US tariffs boost trade in old Cognac

US tariffs on wine and whisky are driving the market in Cognac, a leading UK supplier has revealed.