People & Opinion - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Would you care for some Jimi Hendrix with your glass Sir?

Published: 29 July, 2014

As if the wine trade wasn't already overloaded with BS, it seems the latest fad is wine and music pairing.

Taste test: Skouras Saint George (Aghiorghitiko), Nemea 2011

Published: 29 July, 2014

An elegant red from Greece which hints at better things to come

Breast (and bottle) is best at Brasserie Blanc

Published: 29 July, 2014

We all know how madly competitive the restaurant world can be with seemingly every trick in the book being deployed to entice customers in through the door.

A [RE]BAPTISM OF RIESLING

Published: 28 July, 2014

A short yet intense 2-day trip to the Mosel proved very fruitful, hard work for the legs and overall a rather holy experience. Her Egon Muller may have just re-baptised me and a whole bunch of other avid wine lovers into the divine glories of Riesling.

My Choice: Steven Gerrard,Barwell & Jones, on drinking with Bill Clinton and his LFC namesake

Published: 25 July, 2014

Steven Gerrard is the first to kick start our My Choice series where we ask leading figures in the trade for their favourite drinks, and where and when they would like to drink them. If you would like to join in and send yours then email your answers to the list below to richard.siddle@wrbm.com.

Harpers Chiefs of the Week: Albion Racing Club Captains

Published: 25 July, 2014

Albion Racing Club Captains: Making beverages cool or bust!

Oxford Wine Company signs deal to be exclusive UK importer of Downton Abbey wines

Published: 25 July, 2014

Ted Sandbach of the Oxford Wine Company has become the exclusive UK importer for a special Downton Abbey range of wines, created by French producer, Les Grands Chais de France.

Meet Downton Abbey's new cast

Published: 24 July, 2014

Move over Hugh Bonneville, Downtown Abbey has a new cast.

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

Published: 22 July, 2014

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.

HARPERS CHOICE and how to make the perfect Gin &Tonic

Published: 22 July, 2014

These were some of our top spirits to try this week. Sipsmith Sipping Vodka, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Chairman's Reserve Finest St Lucia Rum

Is the Institute of Masters of Wine fit for purpose?

Published: 20 July, 2014

It's hard to imagine Jancis Robinson doing a stand-up routine at London's Comedy Store isn't it? Yet, after reading her take on the recent Master of Wine examination papers it would seem to me that she has all the hallmarks of a good humorist.

Chief of the Week: The Wirral

Published: 18 July, 2014

OK I may be biased having been brought up, schooled, educated and shown the way to a good life on the Wirral, but this week's Open golf championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Course in Hoylake only reminds me of what a wonderful place it is.

CP's Tweets of the week

Published: 18 July, 2014

The Claret Pimpernel scoured Twitter to find that conjured a smile or staight up caused a laugh out loud moment.

Forget octopus and camels, wine is the best way to predict the winners of the World Cup

Published: 17 July, 2014

In 2010 we had Paul the Octopus that was "asked" to predict the outcome of World Cup games; then for the Brazil World Cup it was the turn of Shaheen the camel who became the Paddy Power of football predictions.

Will there be any wine left? asks Atherton on Botham's Hardys' role

Published: 16 July, 2014

Anyone familiar with the dressing room feel of the Sky TV cricket commentary team would not be surprised to hear last night's Hardys' cricket legends dinner, to commemorate Lord's bicentenary , also included a fair bit of banter amongst the cricketing heroes.

Other than drinking wine from - what's the Open's Claret Jug all about?

Published: 15 July, 2014

On the eve of this year's tournament the CP's heard it through the fairways that golf legend and winner of last year's Open, Phil Mickelson, confessed he has had fun with the Claret Jug this past year including drinking a $40,000 bottle of 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti out the tournament's trophy.

Book review: Jerry Lockspeiser on DO PURPOSE: Why brands with a purpose do better and matter more

Published: 15 July, 2014

In the new Uncorked Book Club area on Harpers.co.uk books, featuring new and interesting titles for the trade, Jerry Lockspeiser discusses why this David Hieatt book on brands got so far into his head that it is still there days later...

Pernod Rijkaard anyone? Join in and name your "drinking footballers"

Published: 11 July, 2014

Credit where credit's due and hats off to Hal Wilson and all his crew at Cambridge Wine Merchants for coming up with this idea of naming football players that also sound like alcoholic drinks.

Chiefs of the week: Glenmorangie's Dr Bill Lumsden - the McWilly Wonka of whisky

Published: 11 July, 2014

This week we tip our proverbial cap to the one and only Dr Bill Lumsden, whisky creator extraordinaire, who says his latest limited edition for Glenmorangie is his finest whisky to date.