Harpers Wine & Spirit Magazine

The August issue of Harpers Wine & Spirit is here, just as the sun graces us and a new government steps in. These changes bring fresh opportunities for our industry: a heightened thirst for quality drinks and a government seemingly prioritising economic stability and business growth. We're thrilled to feature Miles Beale of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) on our Soapbox page. Beale eloquently welcomes the focus on economic growth and emphasizes the vital role of the drinks trade in this mission. His call for a dialogue with the new government is clear, particularly stressing the urgent need to permanently retain the duty easement on wine before it expires on February 1, 2025. This issue also unveils our annual Unusual Suspects report, showcasing emerging wine regions. Tim Atkin MW perfectly captures this sentiment: “More regions are crafting great stuff than ever before… This has changed the way we perceive ‘fine’ wine.” Dive into our detailed exploration of Central & Eastern European wines, spotlighting Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Georgia, and more. Plus, discover wineries from the Azores to Japan, and insights into China’s UK market potential. Join us in celebrating this diverse and exciting time for the drinks trade: https://lnkd.in/dPqcnXka #HarpersWineSpirit #WSTA #WineTrade #EconomicGrowth #UnusualSuspects #WineDiscovery #FineWine

In a recent update, Wine & Spirit Trade Association CEO Miles Beale shares his optimism about engaging with the new Labour government following their decisive election victory. Here's a brief rundown: 🔹 Election Surprise: The Labour Party's large majority signals significant changes ahead. 🔹 Key Concerns: The WSTA is prioritising the new alcohol taxation regime and the urgent need to make the wine duty easement permanent by February 1. 🔹 Strategic Engagement: While initial responses may be delayed due to governmental adjustments, the WSTA is gearing up for discussions post-summer recess. 🔹 Positive Outlook: Early signs are promising with Labour's focus on economic growth and partnership with businesses. 🔹 Environmental Goals: The industry will play a crucial role in shaping Extended Producer Responsibility and Deposit Return Schemes, aiming for a balanced approach that fosters growth and sustainability. See below to read Beale's Soapbox for Harpers: https://lnkd.in/ecF9Sddy #WineIndustry #SpiritTrade #EconomicGrowth #Sustainability #GovernmentPartnership #WSTA #LabourGovernment

The results of our newly expanded Top 50 Sommeliers list is now live! Click the link below to see who made the cut for 2024 as we celebrate the best of this dynamic and hugely important part of the drinks world. #Top50Somms https://lnkd.in/eQkV96Kx

Exciting developments at Sicilia en Primeur... At the 20th edition of Sicilia en Primeur, Harpers joined over 90 wine journalists to explore Sicily's vibrant wine scene. Despite challenges like extreme weather and downy mildew, Sicilian white wines and organic cultivation are thriving. In 2023, exports of DOP white wines grew by 7%, while DOP red wines have found success in key markets like France and the UK. At the event, Pietro Russo MW praised the industry's skill in navigating challenges, with a focus on quality over quantity in the 2024 harvest. Meanwhile, Mariangela Cambria highlighted proactive measures by producers, ensuring success despite difficulties. Sicilian wines are poised for further global recognition, read below to find out why: #SiciliaEnPrimeur #SicilianWines #WineIndustry #WineTrends #WineNews #WineCommunity https://lnkd.in/efADEpHs

Nominations are now open for this year's Top 50 Sommeliers - closing date for nominations: 22nd May

One week to go! Nominate yourself or a colleague for 30 Under 30 2024. (Deadline 20th February) Click on this link to nominate now: https://lnkd.in/eEuuDTkx #Harpers30Under30 https://lnkd.in/eqmpyBXr

As our February cover suggests, duty rises are among the most taxing issues facing the trade, and we run a full exposé of how duty hikes are already deflating HMRC’s own receipts while driving up inflation (p20, Insights), and with more potentially to come. Our lastest also marks a poignant moment for Harpers as we say au revoir to our physical archive, which is being shipped from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust vaults to a new home at UC Davis Library in California. The upside is that this fascinating 145-year record of the drinks trade is to be expertly stored and digitised, to soon be made available to all. In other big news, new player Coterie Holdings UK Limited continues to grow, with Andrew Shaw, formerly head drinks buyer at M&S, joining the company. This now folds in ex-Bibendum chief Michael Saunders as CEO, plus Andrew Bewes, who remains MD of the recently acquired Hallgarten, all joining Coterie’s chair, ex-BBR CFO Chris Robinson, in what is shaping up to be a formidable team. Meanwhile, we have Tim Atkin MW on his soapbox (p19) about the reverence often mistakenly paid by critics to wines with hallowed names, and Miles Corish MW on our Soapbox (p16) decrying government ‘smoke and mirrors’ over post-Brexit labelling changes. To read the latest issue of Harpers click the link below: https://lnkd.in/dPqcnXka

A big step for cork back into the UK market. Cork had all but disappeared from the major UK bottlers by 2010 as a result of persistent issues with TCA, leaving only one corking line still operational. Now, Broadland Drinks Limited is swinging back towards cork, with a new line aimed at offering lower minimum quantities as a way of re-entry to the category. https://lnkd.in/eWrdRzvv

Harpers archive heads for California One hundred and forty-five years of trade history is soon to cross The Pond, as the Harpers archive moves to a new home at UC Davis. The bound volumes, which contain an almost unbroken run of Harpers issues back to 1880, represent a remarkable catalogue of, and insight into, the wine and spirit trade since the publication’s inaugural issue as The Wine Trade Creditors Association - Weekly Gazette. https://lnkd.in/eQW7qtSQ

More big news for Coterie Holdings UK Limited, with the appointment of former Marks and Spencer head of drinks trading, Andrew Shaw. https://lnkd.in/eFCNvF3g