Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Top Cava producer Juvé & Camps set to jump ship to Corpinnat

Published: 02 April, 2026

Juvé & Camps are set to leave DO Cava and join the Corpinnat association, increasing the latter’s membership to 22.

Entries open for Ruinart Sommelier Challenge 2026

Published: 27 March, 2026

Applications have opened for the ninth edition of the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge.

Sugrue South Downs dreams on

Published: 16 March, 2026

Twenty years after winemaker Dermot Sugrue planted his first Storrington Priory vines for what was to become Sugrue South Downs, this Sussex-rooted producer continues to forge ahead with much in the pipeline for 2026.

Henkell Freixenet secures 100% ownership of Freixenet

Published: 04 March, 2026

Sparkling wine giant Henkell Freixenet has unveiled it now has full ownership of Freixenet SA, becoming its sole shareholder.

Five wines gain top Cava designation

Published: 03 March, 2026

DO Cava has announced that five new wines have received the ‘Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado’ designation, the premier Cava categorisation the body gives out.

Ridgeview acquired by consortium led by Quantum Beverage Co

Published: 12 February, 2026

Sussex wine producer Ridgeview Wine Estate has announced that it has been acquired by an investor consortium – QBRidge Ltd – led by Quantum Beverage Co (QBev).

Bibendum: Sustainability focus as two sparkling producers added

Published: 06 February, 2026

Wine distributor Bibendum has unveiled two new sparkling producers on its portfolio. Grower champagne house Domaine Alexandre Bonnet joins alongside Prosecco estate Fidora.

Overall Prosecco sales growth muted but impressive US increase

Published: 15 January, 2026

The Prosecco DOC has unveiled its sales figures for 2025 with 667 million bottles sold globally – representing 1.1% growth year on year. The value of these sales stood at €3.6bn, approximately the same as 2024.

Champagne Cattier launch: Premium on-trade ambitions for independent house

Published: 16 December, 2025

At Mayfair’s glitzy new Lilibet’s restaurant export director at Champagne Cattier, François Colas (pictured, centre) guided attendees through the producer’s range as well as its ambitions for the UK market, following its recent on-trade partnership with Enotria.

BA first class set to introduce Sugrue South Downs

Published: 10 December, 2025

Sussex winery Sugrue South Downs has unveiled that its Cuvée Dr Brendan O’Regan sparkler is due to be served in British Airways’ (BA) first class from January through March over the next three years.

Report: Champagne highs and lows in 2025

Published: 08 December, 2025

Wine Lister, the end-to-end strategic consultancy for wine businesses, has released its 2025 Champagne Report: In Victory and Defeat.

Champagne Cattier unveils on-trade partnership with Enotria

Published: 08 December, 2025

Champagne Cattier has announced a fresh on-trade partnership with distributor Enotria – beginning from January 2026.

Friday Read: Perrier-Jouët on preserving heritage amid our changing climate

Published: 21 November, 2025

At Lucky Cat restaurant at 22 Bishopsgate, Perrier-Jouët chef de cave, Séverine Frerson (pictured), guided Harpers through a tasting which demonstrated how Champagne viticulture could adapt to our ever-changing climate.

The rise of Cap Classique

Published: 17 November, 2025

South Africa’s booming Cap Classique category is attracting growing interest from importers, retailers and sommeliers looking for traditional method wines that combine keen pricing with high quality.

Bollinger hit English producer with legal threat over ad

Published: 30 October, 2025

Champagne house Bollinger has sent a cease and desist letter to English wine brand Folc. The legal challenge follows Folc’s publication of a social media advert which included the use of the words “Bollie” and “champers”.

Champagne approves Chardonnay Rose as grape variety

Published: 23 October, 2025

The Comité Champagne has announced that Chardonnay Rose has become an authorised grape variety in the famed region. The grape – a natural mutation of Chardonnay Blanc – is the eighth grape variety to be recognised in the Champagne appellation specifications (cahier de charges).

Wine GB unveils Golden 50 Wine List

Published: 22 October, 2025

Trade body Wine GB has today announced the second edition of the Golden 50 Wine List. The 2025 list, launched in partnership with the Vineyard & Winery Show, highlights British wines that have won gold medals in 2025 across a slew of domestic and international competitions.

Decoding Champagne’s future fortunes

Published: 17 October, 2025

Over the past 15 years, Champagne’s premium swagger has been tested to the max. In key global markets – not least the UK – retail and on-trade sparkling wine lists have diversified considerably, while consumers are increasingly price sensitive amid the cost-of-living crisis. The result is a complex market evolution for Champagne: one that mixes pain with opportunity.