Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Academy announce Sommelier of the Year semi-finalists

Published: 25 February, 2010

The Academy of Food & Wine's 2010 Sommelier of the Year competition has announced its semi-finalists.

Breaking new terroirs

Published: 25 February, 2010

If you're visiting Terroirs for the first time, the thing to do when you turn into the road it's on is to look out for a blackboard with an eccentric slogan.

I had a vision for our weekend away in the country. It involved the perfect country pub in the perfect English village, muddy walks, a roaring fire, hearty fare and plenty of good quality liquid nourishment. On all counts, the 16th century Griffin Inn, in the idyllic village of Fletching, hit the mark.

This month - PeterHorton, wine consultant, Smiths of Smithfield & the Luxe

Published: 17 December, 2009

Peter Horton - wine consultant Smiths of Smithfield and The Luxe

Fiona Sims examines the wines at the Galvin brothers' new London eaterie

Published: 17 December, 2009

Fiona Sims examines the wines at the Galvin brothers' new London eaterie, La Chapelle.

Don't Miss - New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting

Published: 17 December, 2009

New Zealand Winegrowers are urging the trade not to miss out on the fabulous array of New Zealand Wines, Kiwi winemakers and other exciting initiatives this year

Raising the Bar in Excellence Awards

Published: 17 December, 2009

The UK has arguably the most exciting restaurant wine and spirits lists in the world, yet the efforts of those who create them is frequently overlooked. It often seems it's the chefs who get all the glory in terms of awards and press, and the sommeliers, restaurant owners and buyers who work so hard to create the drinks offer are forgotten.

Wine fair dismisses biennial show idea

Published: 17 December, 2009

The London International Wine Fair will not be going biennial, organiser Brintex has pledged.

Hedge your euro rate

Published: 17 December, 2009

Wine importers should expect to see sterling maintain its current level against the euro in 2007, according to a leading currency expert.

Tuscan wine illegally blended

Published: 17 December, 2009

Reports in the Siena edition of La Nazione and Corriere della Sera stated that 17 people and 42 companies are currently under investigation for falsifying public documents with the intent to commit fraud and blending wines of an inferior quality.

Moët prices lead restaurants to boycott agencies

Published: 17 December, 2009

Importers have reacted angrily to plans to put up the trade price of Moët & Chandon and Vranken-Pommery Monopole by 5% next year. Small and medium-sized agencies, which cannot compete with supermarket deals, including Moët at just over £14, claimed they were effectively subsidising such deep discounts.

My Taste - up-and-coming wine regions in Chile

Published: 17 December, 2009

Spier is releasing a range of premium wines to the UK after pulling out of supermarkets in favour of a push in the on-trade and independent merchants.

The George of Stamford wins award

Published: 18 November, 2009

The overall winner of the Condé Nast Johansens Champagne Taittinger Wine List Awards 2010, for the best individual establishment in UK and Ireland, was The George of Stamford in Lincolnshire.

D&D plans to build luxury hotel

Published: 18 November, 2009

D&D London, formerly known as Conran Restaurants, has agreed plans to develop an 80-bedroom luxury boutique hotel in Moorgate.

Don't miss - whisky tastings at Tsuru

Published: 18 November, 2009

Tsuru, a Japanese restaurant behind the Tate Modern is to host a tasting of Japanese whisky on Tuesday November 24. Jen Dickson, an expert in Japanese whisky will guide guests through a range of whiskies from world-renowned producers Nikka and Suntory.

Luca Gardini wins the Best European Sommelier 2009

Published: 18 November, 2009

Luca Gardini from Ristorante Cracco, Milan is the winner of The Best European Sommelier Competition 2009- organised by the Worldwide Sommelier Association.

The IWC's Discovery Tasting New Zealand medal winners

Published: 18 November, 2009

Port house Quinta Do Noval is releasing the latest vintages of its still red wines through Gonzalez Byass UK.

Spier pulls out of multiples

Published: 18 November, 2009

South African producer Spier is pulling out of multiple retailers, saying they are "detrimental to the long-term ambitions of the brand."

Australia addresses oversupply problems

Published: 18 November, 2009

At least 20% of Australia's vineyards are uneconomical and producers need to take "tough, informed decisions" if the country is to end its over-supply crisis, according to a new study.

Patricia Langton looks at the emergence of sherry-specific bars

Published: 18 November, 2009

Let's not lament the declining sales figures for sherry. This classic wine's future lies in smaller volumes and higher quality wines and encouragingly more people are getting behind serious sherry, especially in the on-trade. Indeed, a closer look at current trends could reveal where sherry is headed and, hopefully, how to win the customer over.