Category Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Get to know vegan wines

Published: 11 April, 2018

Swept up in the whirlwind of healthier eating and drinking trends, Jo Gilbert finds vegan wines are broadening their mass-market appeal

Shaking up the sparkling wine market

Published: 20 March, 2018

It’s long been the case that Champagne sales are a barometer of the times, with a rise or fall in fortunes reflecting the performance of the broader economy. This has held true in the UK market through various recessions and dips, and the current downturn in Champagne sales is no exception.

Bordeaux pulls away from entry level as exports rise

Published: 16 March, 2018

2017 saw an increase in exports for Bordeaux to key markets such as UK, Germany and Belgium, with the US and China also on an upward trajectory, delivering significant growth in higher priced wines.

Gin holds on to its crown

Published: 26 February, 2018

As the thirst for craft products continues apace, Lisa Riley assesses the ongoing stellar performance of gin

Premium rosé packs a punch at Vinisud

Published: 21 February, 2018

Provence has long established itself as the darling of rosé of production – pale, pink, dry, with quaffable delicate fruits and a commercially-proven track record which has seen its flagship style imitated by most pink-producing regions across the world.

Think Rum, Talk Rum

Published: 14 February, 2018

The opening panel at Harpers’ annual Think Rum event delved deep into the premium possibilities to grow the category. Andrew Catchpole reports

Singling out malt

Published: 29 January, 2018

Despite the premium gin and Japanese whisky assault, single malt Scotch is riding high in a market driven by exploration. Tom Bruce-Gardyne reports

How low can you go?

Published: 22 January, 2018

Low- or no-alcohol products are no longer resigned to Dry January. Jo Gilbert reports on how waistband- and hangover-friendly alternatives are fast becoming one of 2018’s top trends

Rum revolution

Published: 11 December, 2017

With rum attracting younger consumers than other spirits, Nigel Huddleston considers its growing appeal

Extremadura Cava producers challenge Catalonia in fight for further planting rights

Published: 22 November, 2017

Cava producers in Extremadura, South West Spain, are fighting a move from the Spanish government to ban further plantings of Cava grapes until beyond 2020.

Cava de Paraje ambitions announced with lofty London launch

Published: 21 November, 2017

The apex of The City’s Gherkin building provided a suitably swish setting for the UK launch of the new Cava de Paraje Calificado on Monday, signalling the quality-focused ambition of Penedes leading sparkling winemakers.

Crémant upping the pressure

Published: 14 November, 2017

The love of sparkling has led to a spike in production in the Crémant de Bordeaux AOC and others around France. Jo Gilbert reports

Trade prepares for premium push on Christmas wines

Published: 30 October, 2017

For most in the drinks world Christmas trade – the eight weeks or so leading up to the nation’s fuzzy wake-up call on January 1 – is a crucial period in the annual sales calendar.

Whisky Galore

Published: 07 August, 2017

First the bad news – on March 8, Chancellor Philip Hammond hit UK spirits with a near 4% hike in duty pushing the tax on the average bottle of Scotch to an eye-watering 79%. Having scrapped the duty escalator in 2014, followed by a cut the year after and then a freeze, this unexpected blow from “Spreadsheet Phil” provoked fury among distillers. “It is staggering that the Prime Minister stood up in Scotland on Friday [March 3] and said that Scotch whisky is ‘a truly great Scottish and British industry’ … and just five days later the Chancellor hammers this industry at home,” thundered Charles Ireland, managing director of Diageo GB.

The cava conundrum

Published: 27 July, 2017

Spain’s famous fizz needs some imaginative thinking to return its sparkle, argues James Lawrence

Generation Sake

Published: 14 June, 2017

A wave of young brewers are shaking things up in sake, increasing its popularity with a new generation  in Japan and internationally.  Anna Greenhous reports

Solera supping

Published: 08 May, 2017

From oldster tipple to hipster hooch, sherry seems to have missed out on the mainstream, says Henry Jeffreys

Wine buying hits shoppers' sweet spots at the multiples

Published: 28 March, 2017

High levels of shopper-satisfaction and the willingness of consumers to linger in the wine aisle, are presenting opportunities to engage the customer and drive trade-up sales, a new supermarket study has suggested.