Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

English Sparkling: Boom or bust?

Published: 24 May, 2024

With rumblings of oversupply in the market and the UK’s biggest-ever crush in 2023, Jo Gilbert asks, could the bubble be about to burst for English wine?

Ridgeview takes off with Gatwick Airport

Published: 30 April, 2024

When arriving in the likes of Bilbao or Florence, it’s not unusual to see billboards depicting nearby vineyards scattered around the airport. Given Gatwick’s proximity to the UK’s burgeoning wine scene, it is remiss that it too wouldn’t advertise nearby vineyards.

Government launches £1.5m Future Winemakers’ Scheme to boost UK wine industry

Published: 19 April, 2024

The British government has unveiled a new initiative, the Future Winemakers’ Scheme, aimed at bolstering training opportunities within the domestic wine industry. The scheme is designed to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce to support the burgeoning British wine sector.

Trade and national press divided on duty

Published: 07 March, 2024

Taking a glass-half-full approach, much of the right-wing press applauded Jeremy Hunt’s extension of the alcohol duty freeze till February 2025, described as a ‘victory for drinkers’ up and down the country by one tabloid.

Simpsons’ exports on the rise

Published: 07 March, 2024

Kent-based Simpsons’ Wine Estate is flying the flag for English wine exports following news of further expansion in the Scandinavian market.

Record number of English wines at ProWein 2024

Published: 04 March, 2024

The highest-ever number of English wine producers will be exhibiting at ProWein this year, WineGB has confirmed.

Julia Trustram Eve leaves WineGB after 30 years of service

Published: 01 March, 2024

WineGB’s head of marketing, Julia Trustman Eve, is to leave her role after 30 years of service, as part of a wider reshuffle for the trade body.

English wine continues expansion with new Kent winery

Published: 26 February, 2024

Wine firm Wildshark Vineyard has submitted plans for a new winery, visitor centre and hotel in Maidstone, Kent.

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).

Analysis: Pints fail to impress

Published: 19 January, 2024

The government’s decision to allow the use of imperial measures to sell wine has been met with a lukewarm reaction, finds James Bayley.

New wine label reforms take effect

Published: 02 January, 2024

As of yesterday (1 January 2024), several new wine reforms introduced by the government have taken effect, including the removal of importer addresses from wine labels.

Government lauds ‘pint’-sized wine as Brexit benefit

Published: 02 January, 2024

The UK government has permitted the sale of ‘pint’ sized still and sparkling wine across supermarkets, pubs, clubs and restaurants.

WineGB looks back on ‘miracle’ harvest

Published: 21 December, 2023

WineGB is celebrating what it believes will be Great Britain’s largest-ever grape harvest as freshly collected data reveals 2023 is set to produce a record-breaking estimated 20 million bottles – twice the size of Britain’s previous record year in 2018.

WSTA welcomes UK label changes

Published: 17 October, 2023

Following a public consultation, the government has set out reforms for the wine sector which will begin in 2024.

Vineyards become the fastest growing crop in England

Published: 11 October, 2023

Wine grapes are the fastest-growing edible agricultural crop sector for human consumption in England, it has been confirmed, with recent statistics from Defra putting the growth of vineyard hectarage in pole position.

Plumpton College appoints Sam Linter as wine director

Published: 01 September, 2023

Plumpton College, the UK’s centre of excellence in wine education, training, and research, has announced the appointment of Sam Linter as its new wine director.

WineGB announces new CEO

Published: 23 August, 2023

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) has announced the appointed of Nicola Bates as its new CEO.

WineGB appoints sustainability ambassador

Published: 02 August, 2023

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) has appointed Anne Jones as its first-ever sustainability ambassador.

WineGB award winners announced

Published: 10 July, 2023

Much has been made of the strides made by English wines, both still and sprinkling, following the marketing juggernaut that was English Wine Week.

English Wine Week: Sparkling still on top

Published: 22 June, 2023

Yesterday (21 June), a panel of English wine’s heaviest hitters convened at 67 Pall Mall, chaired by Harpers’ columnist Guy Woodward, to discuss the trajectory of our homegrown wine and its standing on the world stage.