Tim Atkin reflects on the star quality of the life of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild

As you'd expect of a former actress, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild liked an audience. When Château Mouton-Rothschild hosted the Fête de la Fleur celebration at Vinexpo in June 2003, after guests had enjoyed liberal quantities of the legendary 1982 she took to the stage to thank the room. She had, she announced, invited a good friend along to sing to us. To the sound of the opening bars of the drinking song from Verdi's La Traviata, a black curtain opened behind her to reveal none other than Placido Domingo. Most people would be upstaged by a world famous opera singer, but Philippine had star quality of her own.

Global leaders head to London for Wine Vision 2014

UK's top French wine experts lined up for October's France Summit

A line up of top speakers from across the UK wine trade, including Master Sommeliers, multiple buyers, restaurateurs and leading independents will all be taking part in the second Harpers France Summit taking place on October 21 at London's St Ermin's Hotel.

Vinexpo strengthens management team ahead of 2015 Bordeaux show

Vinexpo has strengthened its management team ahead of next year's exhibition in Bordeaux with two new directors joining the team.

D&D restaurant group to hold month long "Bordeauxlicous" promotion

Bordeauxlicious is a new month long promotional campaign being launched by the London restaurant group, D&D, alongside Bordeaux Wines, to help promote the region's wines across all its outlets in September and October.

Wine trade identifies major opportunities for 2014

The relaunch of the 3 for £10 mechanic; a major crisis in the Spanish bulk wine industry and the growing prominence of fruit-flavoured wines were all chosen as major stories of the year to date by some of the wine trade's top names.

Back to School: Brand Phoenix's Greg Wilkins

As summer draws to a close, we asked some key figures in the trade to round up events in the wine trade for the year to date, and outline their company's plans for the rest of the year. Greg Wilkins, managing director of Brand Phoenix reckons Chinese austerity has had a major impact on the wine trade, and picks fruit-flavoured wines as the next big thing.

Les Grands Chais de France launches single serve French wine brand to UK

Les Grands Chais de France has launched its Les Vignerons brand in single serve PET glasses in the UK market.

Grande Dame of wine trade Baroness Philippine de Rothschild dies

Leading light of the global wine trade Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, head of the Rothschild family dynasty, has died aged 80.

Justin Howard-Sneyd starts wine club for Domaine of the Bee estate

Justin Howard-Sneyd MW is following in the footsteps of boss Tony Laithwaite by starting a wine club for sales from his Languedoc estate Domaine of the Bee.

Bordeaux's 2014 wine harvest to be up 50% on last year

Bordeaux's upcoming wine grape harvest should see a return to normal for the region, with forecasts placing it as coming in at 5.6 million hectolitres. 

Bordeaux ramps up focus on younger consumers with white wines

The president of a Bordeaux wine body wants to open up younger UK wine consumers to the region's white wines.

Lidl's £12m France promotion sets tone for wine department

Lidl's upcoming £12 million Bordeaux-focused wine promotion is to set the tone for the retailer's future wine strategy.

Independents to compete in the Sud de France Retailer of the Year merchants programme

Your chance to vote in Harpers France Wine Awards and take part in France Summit

Harpers is once again looking to reward the very best retailers, restaurants, distributors and individuals that are leading the way in selling and promoting French wine in the UK in our second Harpers France Awards.

Jean-Claude Mas on how he has helped build a global French wine brand

Katie Jones recovers from last year's destroyed vintage to release new 2013 wine

Katie Jones, the English winemaker based in the Languedoc in France, who saw last year's vintage destroyed by vandals, has successfully released her new 2013 wine which is now available in the UK.

Anna Thorburn of Domaine l'Ancienne Ecole on leaving law to make wine in the Côtes du Rhône

Anna Thorburn talks with harpers.co.uk about embarking on every winelover's dream- chucking it all to move to France and starting a winery.  She imparts her experience and the lessons learned about the joys and hard work it takes to make such a dream a reality.

Memories of red thongs and "Semillons" inspire Andrew Shaw to join Team Cox

Andrew Shaw, head of buying at Bibendum Wine, is the latest wine industry stalwart to sign up to take part in the upcoming Médoc Marathon in Bordeaux to help raise money in memory of Michael Cox, the former UK head of Wines of Chile.

Five wines awarded Champion status at the IWC 2014 awards

France, Germany, Australia, and Portugal shared the honours last night as the overall Champion Wines were announced at the 31st annual International Wine Challenge awards ceremony in London.