Category Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Building on bulk

Published: 12 December, 2022

With economic and environmental credentials to the fore, bulk wine is taking an increasingly premium turn, as Andrew Catchpole discovers at WBWE.

Harpers Sustainability Charter: Reaching a higher standard

Published: 05 December, 2022

Almost one year on from the launch of the Harpers Sustainability Charter, Jo Gilbert surveyed its signatories to find out how much progress has been made on lowering carbon footprints.

Harpers Sustainability Charter progress: Green agenda

Published: 02 December, 2022

As the Harpers Sustainability Charter gathers momentum, James Lawrence looks at the progress made by just some of those involved.

Headline heroes: Prosecco – the jewel in the crown

Published: 24 November, 2022

Affordable and trendy, Italy’s famous sparkler has been in the fizz category’s driving seat for some time.
James Lawrence reports

Cava’s image has been bruised in recent years, not least by an exodus of nine influential producers in 2019 from the DO. Nonetheless, it remains a sparkling powerhouse, led by corporate giants Codorníu and Freixenet. The numbers speak for themselves: global exports rose by 16.45% in the first nine months of 2021, according to the Consejo Regulador. However, with stagnant growth in the UK, there are challenges ahead if the DO hopes to reconquer one of Europe’s most dynamic sparkling wine markets.

Revising Rueda

Published: 10 June, 2022

The launch of Gran Vino de Rueda is poised to raise the profile of Spain’s most prolific white DO, writes Andrew Catchpole.

Champagne has cause to celebrate

Published: 21 April, 2022

With sales exceeding all expectations, the drink for good times is back on top form, finds James Bayley.

The rise of British rum

Published: 19 March, 2022

The blossoming of a British rum industry builds on the history of rum as a truly international spirit that increasingly finds its strength in both geographically blended and GI-protected areas of identification. Jo Gilbert reports.

Seltzers: Turning on the hard sell

Published: 04 February, 2022

A hard seltzer might sound like a hangover cure to us Brits, but their power in the low-calorie, low-abv proposition, is not to be sniffed at. Jo Gilbert reports.

How can scotch thrive post-pandemic?

Published: 01 December, 2021

Douglas Blyde looks at some of the more innovative strides made by Scotch producers over the course of the pandemic in order to remain resilient in the fallout from Brexit, lockdowns and the USA’s draconian import taxes.

Prestige fizz holds its own

Published: 04 October, 2021

Covid may have zapped the fizz out of celebratory occasions, but top Champagne sales are bouncing back. David Kermode reports

Bordeaux en primeur report 2020

Published: 17 June, 2021

Is 2020 another top Bordeaux vintage and what are the chances of a strong en primeur campaign after the success of the 2019s? Gavin Quinney, our man in Bordeaux, reports

Gin: Identity politics

Published: 06 May, 2021

A roster of ‘gin’ liqueurs, low-quality variants and no and low copycats have drawn the ire of some this year with calls to better ring fence the category. Are these outliers artificially accelerating gin fatigue or is this all part of the category’s natural evolution? Jo Gilbert weighs in.

Spirits vs Wine: Rolling with the times

Published: 12 April, 2021

Definitive figures from Kantar show just how much shopping habits changed in 2020, with spirits overtaking wine in baskets for the first time and online reaching hitherto unmatched heights, as Jo Gilbert discovers.

Low and no: How far will it go?

Published: 01 April, 2021

Consumer demand for no and low alcohol products and ready-to-drink is on the rise both globally and in the UK. But how long will this growth continue? Jo Gilbert looks ahead.

Champagne: A rollercoaster year

Published: 25 March, 2021

David Kermode takes the measure of Champagne, which managed to add some sparkle to its sales in 2020 despite the loss of celebratory drinking occasions.

The dark and light of rum

Published: 28 January, 2021

Harpers’ recent consumer tasting panel revealed a category that is yet to emerge from its mixology-focused reputation. But rapidly growing awareness and availability of quality liquid mean it could soon sit on a par with top-level Cognac and whisky. Jo Gilbert gets the 360° view.

Low & no: More than meets the eye

Published: 04 January, 2021

The low and no category came into its own in 2020, but how can producers communicate
its true riches to consumers? Nigel Huddleston investigates.

Port: Weathering the Covid storm

Published: 24 November, 2020

The UK remains at the forefront of the premium Port category, with sales of late-bottled vintage (LBV), quality white Port, aged tawnies, single vineyard and classic vintage ports, all remaining resilient through Covid. A nation of consumers stuck at home, looking to indulge, appears to have been largely positive for the quality end of UK Port sales. Built on a long-standing relationship with the UK, sales at Symington Family Estates are up 10% by value and 9% by volume compared with this time last year.

Hard seltzers put function over form

Published: 16 November, 2020

The rise of hard seltzers in the US and, increasingly, the UK, is ushering in a new age of high functioning, health-focused drinks, which is comparable to the rise of vaping in the smoking sector. Hugh Jones weighs in.