Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

All systems go for pink Prosecco

Published: 22 May, 2020

Prosecco DOC Rosé has now been enshrined in Italian law, meaning the trade can expect to see the first official ‘pink Proseccos’ hitting shelves in 2021.

Nyetimber expands across Kent with 205,000 new vines

Published: 18 May, 2020

Nyetimber has gone ahead with plans to rapidly expand its area under vine, with a major planting of 42ha at a new site in Kent.

Pandemic is officially “Bad for beer, better for spirits and wine”

Published: 15 May, 2020

Beer and cider were hard-hit in the 2008/9 economic crisis, suffering from a combination of duty rises, an on-trade slump and increased at-home consumption, all of which tend to favour spirits and wine.

Alexei Rosin takes the top job at Moët Hennessy UK

Published: 15 May, 2020

Moët Hennessy UK has a new managing director for the UK and Ireland.

Friday Read: Chasing millennials – a moribund or redefined art?

Published: 15 May, 2020

For as long as I can remember, the wine industry has been coveting youth. Generic bodies have been at the forefront of this rush to connect with Gen Y. The CIVB, Inter Rhône and InterLoire have all invested significant resources into campaigns targeted at millennials.

Justerini & Brooks expands on-trade portfolio with grower Champagne

Published: 13 May, 2020

Wine and spirits merchant Justerini & Brooks has added to a new grower Champagne to its list of on-trade exclusives with Pierre Paillard.

Rathfinny’s 10th anniversary delivers Classic Cuvée launch and new ecommerce site

Published: 12 May, 2020

English wine estate Rathfinny marked its 10th anniversary with the launch of its inaugural 2016 Classic Cuvée on Monday, “completing” its line up of Sussex sparkling wines.

Campari to buy majority stake in Champagne Lallier

Published: 20 April, 2020

Campari Group has announced it is in talks with privately owned French company Sarl Ficoma to buy a majority stake in Champagne Lallier.

Champagne: Weathering the storm

Published: 20 April, 2020

With little to celebrate, it’s unlikely consumers will be reaching for the Champagne any time soon, but the category has weathered storms before, says Chris Losh.

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.