Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Waitrose adds first English ‘orange’ wine to menu

Published: 03 May, 2019

Waitrose has expanded its English wine menu with seven new offerings, including its first homegrown ‘orange’ wine.

Chapel Down creates England’s largest estate in Kent

Published: 29 April, 2019

Chapel Down has commenced planting at its 388 acre Boarley Farm site. Together with its Kit’s Coty and Boxley sites, Chapel Down will have a 620 acre estate of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier plantings to produce sparkling wine.

English and Welsh sparkling wine sales hit new record

Published: 23 April, 2019

Sales of English and Welsh sparkling wine rose 6% across the on and off-trade in 2018 compared to the previous year, according to WSTA data released today to coincide with St George’s Day.

Ridgeview invests £1.8m in new winery to double production

Published: 18 April, 2019

Ridgeview Wine Estate has invested £1.8 million in a new winery with the aim of doubling production to 500,000 bottles by 2023.

Parkinson steps down as WineGB CEO

Published: 08 April, 2019

David Parkinson is to step down as chief executive officer of WineGB.

Denbies winery investment to create new jobs

Published: 08 April, 2019

Denbies Wine Estate will increase its winery workforce by a third this year to handle an increase in production.

Plumpton climate change research could help boost English vine productivity

Published: 05 April, 2019

Soon to be released research carried out in Sussex could help unlock the secret of yields – and discover why they fluctuate so wildly from year to year in the UK.

Ridgeview Beauty Bar opens at South Lodge’s new Spa

Published: 20 March, 2019

Ridgeview has opened a ‘Beauty Bar’ at a new £15 million spa by Exclusive Hotels at South Lodge.

Guests at the spa will be able to enjoy beauty treatments whilst enjoying a glass of Ridgeview from the UK’s only sparkling wine Enoflute dispenser.

“Working with Ridgeview is the true definition of a partnership,” said Danny Pecorelli, managing director of Exclusive Hotels and Venues.

“We are thrilled for Ridgeview to be represented in such a unique way,” said Tamara Roberts, Ridgeview CEO.

“It’s great working with the whole Exclusive team with their vision and passion. This amazing spa is so beautiful, it’s sure to become a Sussex destination.”

Billecart-Salmon, Nicolas Feuillatte and Greyfriars reveal new editions

Published: 20 March, 2019

Billecart-Salmon has released two Champagnes, Nicolas Feuillatte has introduced a new Champagne Terroir Premier Cru and Greyfriars Vineyard has released a limited edition Blanc de Noirs.

Prowein: Nyetimber prepares to step up presence in ‘traditional’ sparkling wine producing countries

Published: 19 March, 2019

Nyetimber has recruited an international area sales manager for Europe as part of plans to increase its presence in the traditional sparkling wine producing countries.

Surrey Hills vineyards join forces to form ‘English wine region’

Published: 12 March, 2019

Five vineyards based in the Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty have joined forces to form a new English wine region - ‘Vineyards of the Surrey Hills’.

England sparkles in latest IWC round

Published: 28 November, 2018

Two English sparkling wines were awarded gold in the latest round of the International Wine Challenge (IWC).

WSTA returns to Tokyo to promote homegrown wine and gin

Published: 28 November, 2018

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) this week travelled to Tokyo to showcase the quality of English wine and British gin in a bid to boost exports.

Naked Wines launches crowdfunded English fizz from Simpsons

Published: 28 November, 2018

Naked Wines has launched its first crowdfunded English sparkling wine in collaboration with Simpsons Wine Estate.

Chapel Down adds three European reds

Published: 28 November, 2018

Chapel Down has added three European red wines to its portfolio as part of its Great Minds Drink Alike initiative.

Research unveils UK winemaking areas that could rival Champagne

Published: 09 November, 2018

New research has unveiled winemaking areas in the UK that could rival Champagne – and they’re not necessarily what you might expect.

Hattingley signs nationwide deal with Whole Foods Market

Published: 05 November, 2018

Hattingley Valley has has signed a nationwide deal with Whole Foods Market and expanded its reach in Australia and Germany.

Guy Woodward: Nyetimber’s gift to the industry

Published: 16 October, 2018

Guy Woodward, Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of the Year 2018

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.

UK winemakers lobby government to scrap “damaging” planned tax rises

Published: 08 October, 2018

Winemakers in England and Wales have banded together to try and convince the government to rethink plans for a duty hike that could hamper exports and stifle growth.