Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Émilien Boutillat to take over as cellar master at Bollinger

Published: 10 June, 2026

Champagne Bollinger has announced that from 1 October 2026, Émilien Boutillat will be joining its team in the role of cellar master.

González Byass announces distribution partnership with G.H. Martel

Published: 08 June, 2026

González Byass UK has announced that it will be the UK distributor of G.H. Martel & Co’s well-known champagne brands G.H. Martel, Maison Vieille France and Cuvée Victoire from 1 July 2026.

Grands Chais de France celebrates UK Crémant growth

Published: 22 May, 2026

Crémant has recently seen rapid growth in the UK, driven by value-led premiumisation and an increasing interest in regional exploration, according to producer Grands Chais de France (GCF).

Drappier hatches ‘alternative approach’ to champagne maturation

Published: 15 May, 2026

Champagne Drappier unveiled its awaited new prestige cuvée Éclose 2012 in London this week, which has been a decade-and-a-half in its conception.

‘Taste of England’ competition introduced by Chapel Down

Published: 13 April, 2026

Leading English wine producer Chapel Down has launched the ‘Taste of England’, a competition aimed at celebrating the next generation of English chefs.

Graft Wine adds Champagne Pertois-Moriset to its portfolio

Published: 09 April, 2026

Independent importer Graft Wine has announced the addition of third-generation family grower Champagne Pertois-Moriset to its portfolio.

Volume of champagne shipments to UK saw growth in 2025

Published: 08 April, 2026

The volume of champagne shipments to the UK grew by +1.9% in 2025 compared to 2024, according to figures from Comité Champagne.

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.