Harpers has published a wide-ranging Q&A with our founder and chairman, Ákos Forczek, reflecting on Top Selection’s 25 years in business and the state of the UK drinks trade today. In the interview, Ákos charts how the company has navigated successive shocks – from 9/11 and the global financial crisis to Brexit and Covid – and why long-term relationships with producers and clients have been central to resilience. Published on 5 September 2025, it’s a candid look at lessons learned and priorities for the years ahead.

Ákos argues that this downturn is less about depth than duration: unlike past recessions, the rebound has been slow, compounded by uncertainty that weighs on both consumer spending and business investment. He also highlights the mounting compliance burden and tax complexity facing the trade, warning that entry-level quality risks being squeezed by policy-driven price points.

Looking across the market, he notes pressure at the very top end as investors release stock into a softer secondary market, yet sees continued opportunity for quality wines that overdeliver, especially from lesser-known appellations. Despite headwinds, he points to steady growth in new accounts and London’s ongoing wave of high-end openings as reasons for optimism.

It’s a frank, forward-looking read that speaks to the values that have shaped Top Selection over a quarter century: focus, partnership and a commitment to value and provenance.

👉 Read the full Harpers interview: Ákos Forczek: “Looking Back, Forging Ahead”.