Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New Zealand’s wine industry: Strong global presence amid challenges

Published: 30 September, 2024

The past year has been a “rollercoaster ride” for exports, as noted in The New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Report 2024.

Champagne Day 2023: Recovery for the world’s top sparkler

Published: 31 October, 2023

Champagne appears to be holding onto its status as everyone’s favourite premium sparkling wine, new figures reveal, as the category continues an export drive dating back more than 20 years.

Wines of Greece tastings mark record exports

Published: 22 August, 2023

Following the success of the June tastings in London and Edinburgh, Wines of Greece is back with a series of ‘Highlight Tastings’ in Manchester (11 September) and London (25 & 26 September).

Scotch whisky maintains export boom

Published: 17 August, 2023

Scotch whisky has managed to maintain its momentum on the export market following a record-breaking year in 2022, with the first six months of 2023 bringing home over £2.5bn.

New Zealand becomes world’s 6th largest wine exporter by value

Published: 05 July, 2023

Producers in New Zealand are celebrating the soaring value of total wine exports, rising by 25% to $2.4 billion in the 12 months to May 2023.

Record Champagne shipments buoyed by quality-focused younger consumers

Published: 26 May, 2023

Champagne exports hit a record-high value-wise in 2022, with €6bn worth of fizz sales being driven by shifts in consumption from “exceptional occasions to more normal occasions”, the Comité Champagne said at its UK press briefing on 25 May.

Austria’s wine exports hit a high, but Brexit Britain proves 'challenging'

Published: 17 March, 2023

Austrian wine exports reached a record level in 2022 in terms of value, with Canada, the US and northern Europe among the thirstiest markets.

Gin exports bounce back, but Brexit and Covid ‘double whammy’ leaves EU trailing

Published: 27 February, 2023

UK gin exports returned to growth in 2022, with South America and Asia leading the upturn, although EU sales, including to leading market Spain, remained significantly lower.

Cape Wine 2022 opens with splash of sustainable credentials

Published: 05 October, 2022

Following the hiatus of Covid, Cape Wine has bounced back, flagging the South African industry’s sustainable ambitions as it looks to recover from its severe pandemic-induced setbacks.

Setúbal wines at SITT – a mandatory stop on Portugal’s wine map

Published: 19 August, 2022

The wines of the Setúbal Peninsula will take centre stage at the upcoming edition of SITT, where broadcaster and writer Joe Wadsack will lead a vinous journey into some of Portugal’s most locally celebrated wines.

Displaced Chinese exports look for new home at ATT

Published: 11 April, 2022

A slew of Australian producers which have been forced to reorient themselves following China’s government-imposed trade tariffs were on show at Australia Trade Tasting (ATT) on Thursday, where a renewed ‘buyer-only’ mentality aimed to find new homes for wineries left with major holes in distribution.

UK gin exports stymied by Brexit and Covid-19

Published: 15 February, 2022

Exports of British gin have fallen for the second year running, according to the latest HMRC figures released yesterday.

Scotch whisky exports on road to recovery after growth in 2021

Published: 14 February, 2022

Global exports of Scotch whisky grew to £4.51bn during 2021, according to figures released today by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), as the industry continues to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and US tariffs.

Dramatic rise in Franciacorta sales

Published: 09 February, 2022

Italy's premier traditional method fizz saw encouraging sales growth in 2021, jumping beyond pre-pandemic levels to a record 20.3 million bottles.

South African packaged wine exports to UK rise 25%

Published: 20 January, 2022

In a massive boon for South Africa's quality-led growers, total exports of South African wine to the UK rose 20% by value and 12% in volume in 2021 according to the latest figures released by industry body SAWIS.

Bolney Wine Estate acquired by major international

Published: 17 January, 2022

Sussex-based Bolney Wine Estate has been sold to sparkling wine behemoth Henkell-Freixenet via Freixenet Copestick in the UK.

New Zealand deal is a ‘win’ for business

Published: 21 October, 2021

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has welcomed news of a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, which could lead to the removal of all tariffs on goods between the two countries.

English and Welsh wine exports soar despite pandemic disruption

Published: 07 September, 2021

Exports of English and Welsh wine – both still and sparkling – have risen dramatically over the past 12 months, despite the on-going challenges of the Covid pandemic.

Australia feels impact of Chinese tariffs on wine

Published: 04 August, 2021

The impact of the Chinese tariffs on Australian exports will not be immediately offset by other markets, the latest Australian Bulk Wine Market Update has said.

Oz wine exports to UK highest in a decade

Published: 21 July, 2021

Australian wine exports to the UK reached their highest level in a decade during the 2020–21 financial year, according to the latest Wine Australia Export Report released today.