Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sparkling dominates online wine searches

Published: 30 March, 2020

Nearly half of all wine-related online searches in the UK are for sparkling wine, according to new research from Italian wine specialists Independent Wine.

Friday Read: UK wineries battle coronavirus crisis with British determination

Published: 20 March, 2020

Rapidly slowing exports, a pivoting to direct to consumer sales as on-trade sales stall and vineyards on lock down – such is the picture of the UK wine industry today as it grapples with the ongoing disruption from the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Friday Read: Price and vintage in Champagne

Published: 31 January, 2020

To the untrained eye, little has changed in the world of Champagne marketing. The Grande Marques, endowed with lavish budgets, continue to position themselves at the most glamorous events. Vintages are declared and the well-oiled marketing machine continues to roll.

Hattingley secures £7.5m finance facility

Published: 28 January, 2020

Hattingley Valley has secured a £7.5m finance facility from PNC Business Credit to support its continued growth plans.

New MD steps up at Lanson UK ahead of major brand overhaul

Published: 16 January, 2020

Robert Rand has been appointed as The House of Lanson’s new UK managing director as the company prepares to unveil several far reaching changes to its range.

Plumpton takes final steps to switch rosé into green glass

Published: 16 December, 2019

Plumpton College has taken the final step in its journey to switch its sparkling rosé from clear glass into green bottles.

Global headwinds hit fine-wine market

Published: 11 December, 2019

Uncertainties in global trade have hit the fine-wine market, according to the 2019 report from Liv-ex, the online global trading platform for wine.

Aldi picks Lyme Bay for first own-brand English fizz

Published: 09 December, 2019

Aldi has chosen the Dorset-based Lyme Bay Winery to produce an English sparkling wine for its premium ‘Exquisite Collection’.

Cava partners with molecular food-and-wine expert

Published: 29 November, 2019

The Cava DO has partnered with Canadian sommelier and molecular scientist François Chartier to map the international food-pairing ability of its wines.

IWC awards English red gold for the first time

Published: 28 November, 2019

Kent’s Hush Heath has been awarded a gold medal by the International Wine Challenge (IWC) for its The Red Miller 2018 red wine, marking the first time an English red has claimed the top award.

North South Wines partners with Vallformosa Cava

Published: 21 November, 2019

North South Wines has signed a distribution deal with Cava producer Vallformosa.

Volumes at Rathfinny set to double as it launches first en primeur campaign

Published: 20 November, 2019

Rathfinny has launched its first ever en primeur campaign via its Classic Cuvée, which is being positioned as a more accessible entry point to the Sussex estate’s premium range.

Cava Discovery Week aims to get consumers drinking “better cava”

Published: 14 November, 2019

"The future’s about quality” is the tag line for a new campaign which is looking to reinstate Cava’s premium position in the UK market.

Gusbourne declares high quality and quantity vintage

Published: 08 November, 2019

Gusbourne has declared 2019 “yet another” high quality and quantity vintage.

Rathfinny announces 19% increase in 2019 yield

Published: 05 November, 2019

Rathfinny Wine Estate has announced a 19% increase in 2019 yield compared to last year’s harvest.

Freixenet back on TV

Published: 29 October, 2019

Freixenet is on the campaign trail with its first TV campaign across prime-time TV in years.

Prosecco reports 2019 yields down but ‘exceptional quality’

Published: 29 October, 2019

Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG has declared the 2019 harvest of “exceptional quality”, but said yields were down between 3% to 5%.

Billecart-Salmon releases first Brut Sous Bois cuvée magnum

Published: 24 October, 2019

Champagne Billecart-Salmon has released its Brut Sous Bois cuvée in magnum format for the first time.

Veuve Clicquot to open London Champagne bar

Published: 17 October, 2019

Veuve Clicquot has partnered with award-winning US singer-songwriter Annie Clark, better known as St Vincent, to open a Champagne bar in London’s Covent Garden.