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The week that was

Top Stories: Harpers celebrated the return of our annual Think Gin event, which kicked off the week with a fantastic day full of life and buzz around this still evolving category. 

From there our coverage roamed far and wide, taking in The Three Amigos – comprising three British-born Spanish wine producers – and the rise and rise of the English wine industry.

Last but not least, we turned our attention to Pinot Noir from Germany, with a special report from the Wines of Germany tasting held in London’s Soho.

• Three Spanish wine producers join forces to offer ‘unique’ wines 
• Think Gin unveils this year’s winners
• WoodWinters makes waves in the Big Smoke
• English vine plantings to rise by up to 70% this year
• Wine expert urges UK to avoid comparing German Pinot Noir with counterparts 
• Think Gin: The big flavour debate
• Bacardi completes Patrón acquisition

Multiple mergers: All eyes are currently on the UK’s changing multiple sector, which looks set to see more consolidation if the planned Sainsbury’s/Asda mega merger goes ahead. 

Tim Atkin weighed in on the debate, as did Lisa Riley and Jo Gilbert, looking at what the two supermarkets’ combined 31.4% share of the UK grocery sector could mean for wine. 

• Sainsbury’s and Asda confirm £12bn merger and hint at 10% price cuts
• Tim Atkin MW: And then there were three
• We're in the money?

Analysis and Insights: Our analysis section had a bit of a technology focus this week, with two features looking at how different technologies and consumer gadgets are changing the way wine is shipped, sold, delivered and even drunk.

We also took a trip to Jerez, bringing insights from the world of Sherry and its on-going battle to revitalise its image. 

• Sherry taking the flor
• Power to the Punter
• Talking about the future: The Alexa effect

People and Opinion: Lisa Riley caught up with WoodWinters almost a year after the Scottish wholesaler set up a base in London. 

And Jerry Lockspeiser brought us a business-focused piece looking at profitability of wine – and how wine purveyors are having to change their approaches in order to earn a crust. 

• WoodWinters makes waves in the Big Smoke
• Jerry Lockspeiser: Are we in the wine business or the business of wine?