Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Skinny Prosecco founders launch vegan, no-alcohol fizz

Published: 14 May, 2019

This month will see the launch of the UK’s first organic, vegan, alcohol-free sparkling wine, its producers claim.

England triumphs in IWC

Published: 10 May, 2019

England’s winemakers scooped 11 Gold, 50 Silver and 60 Bronze medals in the International Wine Challenge (IWC), placing it ninth in the medals table. Ten of England’s 11 Gold medals were awarded to sparkling wines.

Cava splits in danger of ‘utterly baffling’ consumers

Published: 29 April, 2019

Xavier Gramona of breakaway Cava group Corpinnat has warned that the collective industry is in danger of becoming too confusing for consumers unless it agrees on a clear path forward.

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.

Gramona president says Spanish fizz is in danger of becoming too splintered

Published: 16 April, 2019

The co-owner of family-owned Cava producer, Gramona, has voiced concerns over the fragmenting state of his country’s sparkling industry after too many designations have sprung up delineating Spanish fizz.

Young drinkers more likely to experiment with fizz and fusion drinks

Published: 15 April, 2019

Younger Australians are more experimental when it comes to sparkling wine than older drinkers, according to the latest report on the Australian sparkling wine market by Wine Intelligence.

Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG ramps up UK promotion

Published: 27 March, 2019

Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has increased its UK promotional activity for 2019.

Cream of the crop

Published: 20 March, 2019

Champagne’s lesser-known cousin has its work cut out to stand out in the UK, where it is but a drop in an ocean of sparkling wine. It’s up for the challenge though, finds Jo Gilbert

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.

Blossom Hill aims to inject growth into wine category with sparkling gin

Published: 19 March, 2019

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has revealed the UK launch of Blossom Hill Gin Fizz in a “ground-breaking move set to inject crucial innovation and growth into the wine category”.

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.

China and the US drive boom in global premium wine consumption

Published: 13 March, 2019

Wine priced between $10 and $20 will be the biggest driver of value growth for still and sparkling wine over the next couple of years.

UK ‘culture of wine’ central to Franciacorta’s export drive

Published: 11 March, 2019

Franciacorta is positioning itself as ideal for “a new drinking demographic”, with the UK at the forefront of a renewed export drive.

Veuve Clicquot launches 2008 vintage of Grand Dame Prestige Cuvée

Published: 19 February, 2019

Veuve Clicquot has announced the release of the 2008 vintage of its La Grande Dame Prestige Cuvée.

Chancellor’s wine hikes to go live at midnight

Published: 01 February, 2019

The wine industry is being warned to prepare for today’s rise in duty, which will push up a bottle of still wine by 7p to £2.23 overnight.

Win a buyers’ trip to Franciacorta with Harpers

Published: 21 January, 2019

With the sparkling wine category continuing to grow, Harpers and Franciacorta have teamed up to offer a fantastic buyers’ trip to the beautiful Franciacorta region.