Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Champagne announces yield adjustment for 2026 harvest

Published: 23 July, 2026

This year’s marketable yield for champagne has been set at 8,800 kg/ha – the equivalent of about 252 million bottles* of wine.

Frost forecasting: tackling an age-old problem for vineyards

Published: 21 April, 2025

Spring is a joyous time of year but any vineyard operator will tell you it fills them with trepidation. Grape vines first exhibit bud burst at this time of year, a vital stage in the growth cycle. New shoots and green tips emerge on the vine, the very first signs of what will become a cluster of grapes. These nascent buds are also very vulnerable to frost damage, a particular concern in places such as the UK.

Vignerons urged to use Defra-backed tool tackling frost risk in UK vineyards

Published: 17 March, 2025

UK viticulturalists are being asked to sign up to and use a UK frost forecasting and management research tool which helps capture data from across the country by grape variety. The project is backed by Defra, WineGB and Plumtpon College.

Chablis faces tough harvest but targets UK growth

Published: 08 November, 2024

The 2024 vintage in Chablis has emerged from one of the most challenging seasons in recent memory, with severe frost, hailstorms and heavy rains collectively slashing yields by an estimated 60%. Despite these setbacks, the region’s winemakers remain optimistic, citing the vintage’s distinctive quality, marked by vibrant lemon and grapefruit notes and characteristic minerality.

South Africa hopeful of recovery after ‘challenging’ 2024 harvest

Published: 15 October, 2024

After a difficult 2024 season, which was characterised by floods, frost and strong winds, South African wine producers are optimistic about the 2025 harvest.

Frost forecasting project receives government backing

Published: 23 February, 2024

A frost forecasting project for grape vines has secured over £300,000 in funding from Innovate UK and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

A climate Rubicon

Published: 28 January, 2022

Late frost wreaked havoc in the Loire, the ‘Garden of France’, in 2021. Jo Gilbert looks at how the region is looking to mitigate growing climate issues while keeping up momentum for its plethora of popular styles.

Soapbox: Bordeaux’s cold war

Published: 08 July, 2021

Château Bauduc owner Gavin Quinney ponders an intractable issue for frost-impacted producers up against the strictures of Bordeaux

Frost hits between 30% and 50% of Bordeaux

Published: 22 April, 2021

Bordeaux has had variable impact from early April’s devastating frosts, Harpers has learned, with estimates sitting at around 30% to 50% of vines affected, while some estates have “lost everything”.

Frost signals “significantly smaller” vintage for New Zealand harvest

Published: 20 April, 2021

Cooler spring weather and late frosts have led to a “significantly smaller vintage” for 2021, New Zealand Winegrowers has said, applying pressure at a time when the industry is facing increased production costs.

Long Read: The frosty face of climate change

Published: 13 April, 2021

The devastation caused by last week's plummeting temperatures and frosts in Europe was a pernicious reminder that climate change-induced extreme weather events are on the rise.

"Chaotic" weather threatens Bordeaux vineyards

Published: 02 April, 2020

Growers in Bordeaux have resorted to exceptional measures to protect their vines from “chaotic” weather conditions, the CIVB has reported.

‘Ready to drink’ 2017 Burgundies could ease sky-high prices ahead of Brexit

Published: 15 November, 2018

The wines now emerging from Burgundy’s 2017 vintage could help to ease the pockets of restaurants and fine wine merchants, it has been suggested.

Things hotting up for English wine following record-breaking summer

Published: 12 October, 2018

Producers are calling 2018’s harvest the “harvest of the century” after unusually warm climes descended on Britain this summer and autumn.

Looking ahead: Gavin Quinney, owner and winemaker, Chateau Bauduc

Published: 29 December, 2017

With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the trade - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.

The battle against frost

Published: 02 November, 2017

Frost is one of the greatest threats to wine producers. Jo Gilbert looks at the technology being developed to keep this unwanted vine visitor at bay

Champagne harvest one of the earliest in 67 years

Published: 20 September, 2017

Champagne has followed the European trend of an earlier harvest this year with yields potentially affected by fluctuating weather conditions.

Franciacorta knuckles down for early harvest as yields threaten to fall 30%

Published: 09 August, 2017

Drought, frost and hailstorms have been the bane of northern Italian vineyards so far in 2017, leading to an early harvest which is expected to significantly reduce yields.

Tim Atkin MW: At the mercy of the elements

Published: 07 August, 2017

It’s squeaky bum time in Chablis. Grape growers the world over consult weather forecasts on a regular basis, but in the Yonne it’s almost an obsession. You can see why the locals are worried: nature has picked them out for some particularly brutal treatment in the past two vintages.