Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Aldi reports bumper Christmas boosted by booze

Published: 04 January, 2018

Aldi has reported record sales over the Christmas period pushing its annual UK sales to break the £10bn barrier for the first time.

Brexit and bad harvests could dampen supply of fizz

Published: 02 January, 2018

2018 could be the year that Brits’ love of sparkling catches up with them as experts predict a fizz shortage could be about to descend on the UK.

Champagne Armand de Brignac appoints new UK importer

Published: 19 December, 2017

Champagne Armand de Brignac has appointed New Generation McKinley (NGM) as its new exclusive UK importer for the brand, commencing 1 January 2018.

San Leonardo to make first foray into fizz

Published: 07 December, 2017

Historic Trentino estate San Leonardo has revealed it is moving into sparkling wine production in line with a trend for producers in the region replacing red grapes with varieties used for bubbles.

Finding the place of Cava de Paraje

Published: 05 December, 2017

Without the quality ladders of tiered local classifications, Cava de Paraje amounts to little more than a series of “remote Grand Cru islands”, argues Miquel Hudin.

Window of opportunity for white, sparkling and low ABV wines

Published: 29 November, 2017

Wine is set to continue this year’s winning streak thanks to a boost from sparkling, white and low/no alcohol wines.

Dragon backs new sugar-free wine range

Published: 27 November, 2017

Investors have backed the healthy drinking trend by ploughing funds into a range of new Italian wines which are tipped to be completely sugar and carb free.

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.

Spanish give English Albariño wine the thumbs up

Published: 20 November, 2017

Chapel Down Winery in Kent is the only UK vineyard to make a wine from 100% Albariño – a grape associated with Galicia in northwest Spain.

Investment firm acquires share in top cava producer ahead of UK push

Published: 14 November, 2017

Scranton Enterprises plans to boost premium Cava exports to the UK following its acquisition of shares in leading Cava producer Juvé & Camps, the capital investment company’s CEO has told Harpers. “We believe the UK is a high potential market for Juvé & Camps, as premium Cava offers the same quality experience of champagne at a slightly lower price point,” said Luca Tassan, CEO of Scranton Enterprises. Speaking exclusively to Harpers, Tassan said: “We have made an investment in Juvé & Camps to support some of the family members on their plans to continue to grow the Premium Cava sector and expand internationally,” he said. “The strategy for the cava estate will be to build on the organic attributes of the Reserva (minimum 30 months ageing) and grow in the US, UK and northern European countries,” he said.

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

London’s first Prosecco bar poised for Tower Bridge opening

Published: 08 November, 2017

London’s first dedicated Prosecco bar is set to open its doors in February 2018.

Sparkling newcomers turn to fruits and flowers for traditional method launch

Published: 08 November, 2017

As sparkling wine continues to grow in popularity, producers and enthusiasts are increasingly turning to the English countryside to look for sources of inspiration.

Campo Viejo Cava focuses on millennials

Published: 03 November, 2017

Pernod Ricard wine brand Campo Viejo, is hoping to take on the might of Prosecco by appealing to younger consumers with its Campo Viejo Cava Brut Reserva.

Crémant production fizzes in Bordeaux

Published: 27 October, 2017

Europe’s love of bubbles has led to a spike in production of Crémant de Bordeaux, where the number of producers turning their hand to sparkling is believed to have doubled in the past three years.

Bolney bolsters sparkling wine menu with new duo

Published: 26 October, 2017

Bolney Wine Estate has bolstered its sparkling wine portfolio with two new varieties as home-grown fizz continues to gain traction.

Litmus Wines expands international trail for Ginking

Published: 26 October, 2017

Litmus Wines has expanded the international reach of its hybrid wine and gin Ginking brand to Switzerland just a year after launch.

How the “crazy” state of Prosecco’s 23p price erosion could be about to change

Published: 17 October, 2017

The media last week widely reported that the average price for a bottle of Prosecco has fallen a further 23p over past year as competition drives down prices.