Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Jeremy Rockett leaves González Byass GB after 10 years

Published: 30 July, 2014

González Byass GB marketing director Jeremy Rockett has left the business after 10 years of service.

Price comparison site Bring A Bottle pinpoints cheapest times to buy major drinks brands

Published: 30 July, 2014

Customers should be buying and stockpiling lager in June and July, and Champagne at Christmas, according to new data from Bring A Bottle which pinpoints exactly when the biggest promotions start across a range of top-selling brands.

Major wine companies should not pin their futures on China, warns Krug chief

Published: 28 July, 2014

The wine world needs to let go of its obsession with China, and stop believing that the market can solve all its problems, according to Margareth Henriquez., chief executive of Krug, the top branded Champagne house.

Big discounts expected on Champagne this Christmas

Published: 21 July, 2014

Champagne agents expect big discounts at UK supermarkets this Christmas, thanks to weak demand for the sparkling wine in its home country.

Total World Cup drinks sales reach £1.1billion despite fading interest in final weeks

Published: 18 July, 2014

Final drinks sales for the World Cup reveal that overall beers, wines and spirits were up by £15.1 million for the five weeks of the tournament to top £1.1 billion.

No sign of slowdown in sparkling wine growth

Published: 07 July, 2014

Sparkling wine sales are showing no signs of slowing down - volumes rocketed 20% in the second quarter of 2014.

Tour de France celebrates with Champagne de Castelnau

Published: 02 July, 2014

As parts of the UK brace themselves for the start of the gruelling Tour de France cycle race that starts in Yorkshire on July 5, Champagne de Castelnau has introduced this very appropriate limited edition Champagne.

Britain continues to drink through the World Cup despite England's exit

Published: 27 June, 2014

England may have crashed out of the World Cup but the nation is continuing to drink through it, according to the latest figures released by the Wilson Drinks Report.

Douglas Blyde compares the culinary and wine delights of the Fat Duck and Fera at Claridge's

Published: 24 June, 2014

Occurring within days, I was lucky enough to experience arguably two of England's finest chefs calibrate dishes to complement complex ferment from noble estates. These were served in the presence of two of the trade's most celebrated raconteurs.

Kathrine Larsen wins UK Sommelier of the Year 2014

Published: 16 June, 2014

Kathrine Larsen MS has become the Academy of Food & Wine Service's Moët UK Sommelier of the Year 2014 following an intense final at London's Mandarin Oriental Hotel last week.

The week that was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

Published: 13 June, 2014

In case you missed some of the headlines this week (and a bit of last week due to the long weekend) on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

UK most difficult market for top end sparkling wine outside Champagne

Published: 10 June, 2014

The UK is the most difficult market for top end sparkling wine outside of Champagne, according to the head of Franciacorta's trade body in Italy.

Champagne industry must face up to negative impact of global warming

Published: 09 June, 2014

One of the biggest challenges facing the Champagne industry is how to manage the negative effects of global warming, according to Krug's senior viticulturist, Romain Le Guillou.

Nicolas Feuillatte joins in the Gumball Rally's celebrations in London

Published: 07 June, 2014

London's Regent Street is set to be closed on Sunday, June 8 to make way for 120 Super Cars competing in the Gumball 3000 rally which sees motoring enthusiasts cross 3,000 miles across the United States and Europe between June 5-11. Nicolas Feuillatte is not only the official Champagne for the race, but has two branded cars competing in the rally.

Co-op's major wine revamp yields strong results

Published: 02 June, 2014

The Co-operative has seen sparkling wine, smaller serve bottles and Argentinian wine sales soar since it revamped its range in recent months.

Own-label Champagne sales lose their fizz says Lanson research

Published: 30 May, 2014

Retailer and own-label Champagne brands have plummeted 16% by value according to the latest category report from Champagne house Lanson.

Champagne Veuve Clicquot to debut at London Wine Fair

Published: 21 May, 2014

Champagne Veuve Clicquot is taking its own stand - a vintage yellow Airstream trailer - for the first time at London Wine Fair in June.

Formula One drivers can now celebrate with limited edition Champagne GH Mumm

Published: 16 May, 2014

As Formula One drivers spend so much time throwing around quality Champagne, official sponsors, Champagne GH Mumm, has produced a special limited edition bottle unique for Formula One.