Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bollinger expands Loire footprint with Hubert Brochard

Published: 01 July, 2022

The Bollinger Group has increased its presence in the Loire Valley with the acquisition of Sancerre’s Hubert Brochard estate.

'Champagne Charlie' returns after 37 years

Published: 30 June, 2022

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Heidsieck and the rebirth of the legendary Cuvée Champagne Charlie, members of the trade and press were invited to an epic voyage on the River Thames.

DTC sales give Gusbourne post-pandemic boost

Published: 08 June, 2022

The latest financial results from English wine producer Gusbourne have reinforced the strong position of the category within the UK market.

Fizz and cocktails set to pop this Jubilee weekend as the less-but-better trend continues

Published: 31 May, 2022

Brits drink less alcohol than they did during the past two Jubilee celebrations – a trend which is likely to carry over this weekend as party planners fill shelves and ice boxes. However, wine and spirits have a greater share of that pie, as the two categories steal a march from the once all-powerful beer category.

Five minutes with Corinne Seely, winemaker at Exton Park

Published: 31 May, 2022

Jo Gilbert catches up with Corinne Seely at Exton Park about 60 Below – a sea-ageing project which aims to take English wine to new frontiers

Rosé set to steal summer show

Published: 17 May, 2022

It is a wine category often overlooked by keen officiants as being too delicate and perfume-y, lacking the panache and complexity of its rivals. However, multiples prefer profit margins over pretentiousness and have helped make rosé the fastest-growing wine category for over a decade.

Gosset Matchmakers Competition returns for its seventh year

Published: 09 May, 2022

Champagne Gosset welcome entries for the 2022 edition of its landmark Matchmakers Competition, run in collaboration with The Sommelier Collective and Le Cordon Bleu in London.

Simpsons' Wine Estate unveils major expansion

Published: 09 May, 2022

The burgeoning niche market for English still wines received another boost earlier this month, after Simpsons' Wine Estate expanded its vineyard holdings.

Moët teases permanent Harrods Champagne bar

Published: 06 May, 2022

Moët & Chandon has announced it will be opening its largest stand-alone Champagne bar in Europe at Harrods in Knightsbridge on July 7.

The rise and rise of sparkling wines

Published: 04 May, 2022

Sparkling wine has been stealing a march for some time. Established in quality terms long ago by the Champenois and rocketed into the mainstream via Prosecco’s global volume domination during the 2010s, the way is increasingly widening to allow alternative bubbles to rise to the top of the glass. This has certainly been the case over the past year. Following years of predictions that Crémant could carve out a niche in the ‘in-between’ price segment, it and others have seen tangible change after many years of waiting in the wings.

Simpsons’ toasts 10th anniversary with launch of non-vintage Chalklands

Published: 03 May, 2022

Simpsons Wine Estate in Kent has reached a major milestone with the release of its first non-vintage Chalklands Classic Cuvée English sparkling wine.

Champagne has cause to celebrate

Published: 21 April, 2022

With sales exceeding all expectations, the drink for good times is back on top form, finds James Bayley.

New UK campaign for 2022 for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

Published: 07 April, 2022

The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is continuing its investment in the UK market with a new activity programme for 2022, managed by Swirl Wine Group.

Global thirst for Champagne drives staggering new price highs

Published: 06 April, 2022

Champagne sales surpassed pre-pandemic levels last year, with over 320 million bottles shipped worldwide and the US overtaking the UK as Champagne’s top export market by volume.

Dermot Sugrue steps down as head winemaker at Wiston Estate

Published: 18 March, 2022

It is the end of an era at Wiston Estate following the announcement that Dermot Sugrue will be stepping down as head winemaker after 16 years with the estate.

Champagne's Supernova

Published: 17 March, 2022

While there was little to celebrate in 2020, Champagne was back with a bang last year, which seemed to take everyone – including the Champenois – by surprise.

Accolade Wines launches new format with Jack Rabbit 20cl Prosecco

Published: 14 March, 2022

Jack Rabbit, the leading on-trade wine brand from Accolade Wines, is launching a new 20cl, single-serve version of its increasingly popular Prosecco 75cl format.

Dom Pérignon and Golden Vines announce new Scholarships

Published: 10 March, 2022

Champagne brand Dom Pérignon has teamed up with the Golden Vines Awards to introduce new Master of Wine & Master Sommelier Scholarships supporting diversity and inclusivity within the industry.

C&C signs exclusive partnership with Moët Hennessy in Scotland

Published: 07 March, 2022

C&C Group has announced a new sales and distribution agreement with Moët Hennessy in Scotland, making them the primary distributor for the wine and spirits division of the LVMH group north of the border.

Highest volumes of Champagne produced for 10 years

Published: 16 February, 2022

Since March 2020 the Champagne market has been on ice, with little cause for celebration during a global pandemic that has reduced so many gatherings and engagements to a Zoom call.