Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Demand for Rhône whites grows as appellation diversifies offering

Published: 02 July, 2025

Rhône Valley white wines saw a 3% growth in demand in 2024 compared to 2023, with 5% growth seen compared to a three-year average.

Moving the tanker: How the Rhône is changing course

Published: 27 June, 2025

I doubt many of us have actually been called on to adjust the course of a mighty oil tanker at sea, nevertheless, we understand the notion of the time and effort required to do such a thing. This is, metaphorically, what the Rhône is attempting to do now. According to agricultural body FranceAgrimer, red wine consumption in France has halved over the past 30 years.

France battles on: The latest stats

Published: 26 June, 2025

French wine on-trade sales have taken a hit over the past year, though bright spots are present, with a strong showing in the off-trade for Gallic labels by contrast. Off-trade performance is partly spurred by French sparkling – according to Kantar’s Take Home Purchase Panel the category grew 24% and 4.6% in terms of volume and value respectively over the past five years – the diverging figures potentially illustrating the promise of categories such as Crémant.

Classic and lesser-known wines drive the Loire’s appeal

Published: 25 June, 2025

The Loire remains one of France’s greatest export success stories: a touchstone for fresh, vibrant and multifaceted wines that pair irresistibly and effortlessly with food. Moreover, in a zeitgeist where ‘cost-of-living crisis’ has become part of the everyday lexicon, the region stands out for offering consistently high quality at reasonable prices. For the independent sector – where delivering value has never been more crucial – that’s a combination not to be overlooked.

Loire exports outperform French average in 2024

Published: 11 June, 2025

In its 2024 export report, Vins de Loire revealed that the popular region’s exports grew +5% and +5.9% in terms of volume and value, respectively. The total value of Loire exports reached €200mn, its highest level since 2000. France as a whole, by contrast, only saw a +0.7% uptick in terms of total export volume.

Hallgarten expands Champagne portfolio

Published: 30 May, 2025

Champagne Abelé 1757, the fifth-oldest Champagne house, has signed an exclusive import agreement with Hallgarten & Novum Wines.

Harpers announces Bordeaux Sustainable Winemaking webinar

Published: 07 May, 2025

Harpers Wine & Spirit is delving into the secrets of sustainability success in one of France’s best-known wine regions with an unmissable webinar on Friday 23 May from 10.30-11.30.

Sustainability Report: on the ground in France

Published: 02 May, 2025

France has become one of the leaders in sustainability protocols in the 21st century, with its myriad regions now producing a network of best-practice roadmaps which can be used in the wine world’s global fight against climate change.

Jeroboams expands portfolio with wines from Chinon and Alentejo

Published: 26 February, 2025

Fine wine merchant, Jeroboams, has added two producers to its portfolio with Domaine de la Chapelle from Chinon, Loire Valley and Mouchão vineyard from the Alentejo, Portugal.

Laurent Delaunay’s new range aims to disrupt Burgundy category

Published: 18 February, 2025

Laurent Delaunay, the fifth-generation Burgundian winemaker, has launched a new eponymous range called Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages. The range offers classic styles from Burgundy as well as Beaujolais, at a more affordable price point.

Wines of Roussillon announces campaign to support UK commercial efforts

Published: 05 February, 2025

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR) has announced a three-year campaign to support its producers and importers in the UK.

Bureau de L'Occitanie London office set to close after 17 years

Published: 04 February, 2025

The Bureau de L'Occitanie, first set up to represent wines from Occitanie, including those from Languedoc, Roussillon and South-West France, will shutter on 7 March.

Yearly Champagne shipments fall once again

Published: 20 January, 2025

Le Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVIC) has announced the wine’s total shipments for 2024 accounted for 271.4m bottles, down 9.2% on the previous year.

France makes good on its large tasting ‘gamble’

Published: 20 January, 2025

France’s increasing regional complexity has made its tasting format something of an intermittent affair in recent times, with the country’s myriad interprofessional bodies usually heading up smaller regional tastings throughout the year.

Domaine Lafage becomes latest member of Hallgarten family

Published: 09 January, 2025

A leading producer in the Languedoc-Roussillon has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Hallgarten & Novum Wines, adding further clout to the importer's expanding portfolio of French wineries.

Protecting and promoting EU hidden gems

Published: 20 December, 2024

The More Than Only Food & Drink campaign provided the backdrop for an insightful discussion about the role that PDO and PGI play in defining Europe’s wines.

Alliance Wine takes on 50 producers following H2Vin acquisition

Published: 17 December, 2024

Alliance Wine has been pushing ahead with its expansion plans following the purchase of London specialist importer H2Vin, with the ‘smooth integration’ of the two businesses already resulting in the addition of over fifty new producers to the portfolio.

New director and president for Centre-Loire Wines

Published: 16 October, 2024

Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre-Loire (BIVC) has made two major new changes to its leadership team with François Bouteille officially taking over from Edouard Mognetti as director and Bertrand Minchin taking on the role of co-president.

Languedoc report aims to conquer “lazy stereotypes”

Published: 20 May, 2024

“Moving away from lazy stereotypes,” is at the heart of a new endeavour to highlight the potential of the Languedoc and its myriad appellations, wine styles and terroirs to a broad range of consumers.

Friday read: France embraces dealcoholisation of IGP wines

Published: 19 April, 2024

Set against the march of low & no, Jacopo Mazzeo reports on the first EU member state to approve a low abv threshold, with predictions of a ready uptake.