Jerry Lockspeiser: The winemakers that changed the world…and those that made themselves redundant

Harpers columnist Jerry Lockspeiser is the former chairman of Off Piste Wines. Lockspeiser left at the end of 2019 after ten years at the company, which he helped to grow from ‘acorn to oak tree’ after joining back in 2010. His departure follows an investment in Off Piste just before Christmas, which will take the company into a new phase of development. Lockspeiser was also involved in the founding and building of Bottle Green in 1990 and organic wine specialist Vinceremos Wines in 1985. Here, he takes a reflective look back on 15 years that changed the wine world. 

How to Buy Wine: James Hocking, James Hocking Wine

We get under the skin of wine buyers to discover how they got into buying, what informs their day-to-day decisions and what tips they’d offer newcomers.

My Perfect Customer: Rupert Pritchett, Taurus Wines

Based in a recently-renovated 400-year-old barn in the Surrey Hills, Taurus Wines is a family-run independent merchant. MD Rupert Pritchett, who has winemaking experience in Gigondas and Margaret River, says his secret to success is simple; don’t rip people off. Fair enough.

Feel Good Grapes: All you need to know about the new online retailer

UK-based wine businessman and writer Mike Turner has added a new string to his bow for 2020. As well as running Please Bring Me My Wine, a wine industry focused digital media consultancy, and co-owning Primrose Hill restaurant La Ferme, where he oversees the wine list and wine training, he has launched a new online wine merchant.

Q&A: Christopher Lecoufle, Les 110 de Taillevent

Andrew Catchpole shares a glass or two with one of London’s youngest rising stars, Christopher Lecoufle, GM and head sommelier at Les 110 de Taillevent, London

Q&A: Anne-Catherine Vigouroux, French Wine Discoveries

Founder of Wine 4 Trade Anne-Catherine Vigouroux outlines to James Lawrence what visitors can expect from the French Wine Discoveries 2020 tasting on January 21, and the opportunities for French producers in a post-Brexit Britain

Tim Atkin MW: Taking wine to the limit

The life jacket seemed like a good idea, given the size of the launch and the strength of the wind barreling down the jetty. Nervously, I climbed on board and prepared for the final leg of a journey that had started more than 1,000km away in Santiago with a flight to Puerto Montt. From there, I’d taken a ferry to the Isla Grande de Chiloé and driven to Quicavi on its eastern coast. Now it was time to visit the tiny island of Añihué, home to one of the most remote and unusual vineyards in the world.

Joe Fattorini on cues and discounts

JOE FATTORINI

Q&A: Santiago Navarro, Garçon Wines

Santiago Navarro is out to change the world and the mass-market wine business with his flat eco wine bottle. Jo Gilbert catches up with the co-founder and chief executive 

On the up in 2020

Looking ahead to the first year of a new decade, the Harpers team delivers its (sometimes tongue-in-cheek) predictions for the year ahead…

Q&A: Romain Bourger, The Vineyard

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.

Armit: A new lease of life

Just one month into the role, Armit’s new MD Brett Fleming tells Chris Losh why he’s only looking onwards and upwards from now on

Guy Woodward: The irresistible side of climate change

As we flew into her native California last month, my wife was confused. The captain had announced we would be landing in 20 minutes, but looking out the window, she saw an unfamiliar sight. “That’s weird,” she said. “Looks like we’re only just passing over Utah – there’s the salt flats.” Don’t tell me we’ve been diverted, I thought… No, all was on track, and we touched down safely at LAX 20 minutes later. Turns out the vista that had so disoriented my wife was, in fact, the scorched earth of the Golden State, dry beyond recognition.

Q&A: Hallgarten's Steve Daniel on how to buy wine

In a new series we get under the skin of wine buyers from across the trade, quizzing importers, restaurants, independents and wholesalers about how they got into buying, what informs their day-to-day decisions and what tips they’d offer newcomers.

Joe Fattorini: Self-sabotage to push trading up

JOE FATTORINI

Jerry Lockspeiser: How should the wine trade vote on 12 December?

Running west along London’s Southbank on the section after the London Eye, with the Houses of Parliament to the right across the River Thames and just before Lambeth bridge, I came across a red van selling hot drinks. The side of the van was emblazoned with the words SINGLE ORIGIN HOT CHOCOLATE.

Q&A: Philip Cox, founder, Cramele Recas

An innovative Romanian winery has put the country on the vinous map. Andrew Catchpole talks to the iconoclast at the helm

My Perfect Customer: Sam Howard, HarperWells

Norwich-based independent merchant HarperWells has a bustling shop in the centre of the city and a busy events calendar. Sam Howard looks after the company’s wine fine list and private clients - here he shares his secrets to keeping his customers happy and building a client base outside of East Anglia.

Q&A: Jose Balado, beverage manager, Arros QD

Andrew Catchpole talks wine, paella and Mediterranean fusion at Michelin three-star chef Quique Dacosta’s London outpost