United Kingdom - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Waitrose unveils mixed English wine case

Published: 26 May, 2021

Waitrose has launched a new mixed wine case comprising a selection of homegrown wines.

Wine industry receives ‘positive support’ from Prentis

Published: 24 May, 2021

The English and Welsh wine industry gained "positive support" from the agriculture minister, Victoria Prentis, in a meeting between Wine GB and DEFRA officials, the industry’s body has said.

Hallgarten Wines clinches Simpsons for the on-trade

Published: 10 May, 2021

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has become the sole distributor for Simpsons Wine Estate’s range in the on-trade – a move which the distributor said would help them capitalise on “sky-rocketing” consumer interest of English wines.

Langham claims first with English Col Fondo

Published: 05 May, 2021

Langham Wine Estate has announced it will release kegs of a Col Fondo wine later this month, a move the winery claims to be a first for a UK producer.

Gutter & Stars releases debut wine

Published: 28 April, 2021

Cambridge winery Gutter & Stars is gearing up to launch its debut vintage on 3 May 2021, eight months after opening its doors at Chesterton Mill, in the north of the city.

Q&A: Charlie Holland, Gusbourne

Published: 13 April, 2021

From the ‘baptism of fire’ of his first, unexpected vintage in Australia, to heading up one of England’s top wine estates, Charlie Holland, head winemaker and CEO at Gusbourne, fills Andrew Catchpole in on the story so far.

Balfour launches craft beer duo

Published: 01 April, 2021

Balfour Winery at Hush Heath Estate in Kent is launching two new craft beers – Jake’s Lager and Jake’s IPA, which will be distributed in the UK by Matthew Clark.

Gladwin to retire as Wine GB deputy chair

Published: 31 March, 2021

Wine GB deputy chairman Peter Gladwin is to retire from the board at the next Annual General Meeting, currently planned for 27 May 2021.

Kent picked as one of 10 top ‘Grape Escape Destinations'

Published: 17 March, 2021

International Wine Tourism Conference (IWINETC) has pinpointed Kent as one of its ’10 Grape Escape Destinations' for 2021.

International Women’s Day Q&A: Plumpton College’s Ana Ðogić

Published: 08 March, 2021

In celebration of International Women’s Day today (8 March), Harpers is celebrating the contributions of Croatian born Ana Ðogić, interim winemaker Plumpton Estate Wines and Winery Instructor at Plumpton College.

Wine GB gears up for first wine tourism conference

Published: 24 February, 2021

Wine GB is gearing up to stage its wine tourism conference next week, the first event from the trade body to focus solely on this part of the UK wine industry.

Sharpham to double output as part of expansion plans

Published: 23 February, 2021

Sharpham Wine has announced plans to increase its output from 60,000 bottles to 120,000 per year.

Long Read: English Pinot Noir comes of age

Published: 18 February, 2021

Pinot Noir has long had a place in UK winemaking, as part of the classic Champagne varieties and, to a lesser extent, still variants often from select vineyards or small parcels. Now, with an increasingly changing climate helping to ripen and tease out those darker fruits, it could be poised to strike out on its own, as Jacopo Mazzeo surmises.

Soaring demand for rosé and exports at Nyetimber

Published: 15 February, 2021

Nyetimber has reported a major spike in demand for rosé in 2020 from their south east England vineyards, despite the loss of social drinking occasions often associated with pink wines.

Wine GB turns spotlight on wine tourism and retail

Published: 08 February, 2021

Wine GB has released its 2021 calendar of activities, revealing a strong focus on wine tourism and the retail sector.

Ridgeview to feature on Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast

Published: 26 January, 2021

Ridgeview will be putting English sparkling wine in the spotlight this week, with the Sussex winery set to feature on Jamie & Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast.

Balfour partners with Bibendum and Matthew Clark

Published: 14 December, 2020

Bibendum, Matthew Clark, and Walker & Wodehouse has signed a deal as the exclusive distributors for English wine producer Balfour Wines.

Balfour and Majestic launch English wine follow-up

Published: 08 December, 2020

Majestic Wine and Balfour Wines at Hush Heath Estate are following up the debut of their English wine partnership, with a sophomore release of limited edition labels.

Dom Perignon winemaker moves to Kent

Published: 08 December, 2020

Nick Lane, who was part of the winemaking team at Dom Perignon, has moved to the UK to join contract-only winery, Defined Wine.

House of Commons in retail partnership with Digby Fine English

Published: 02 December, 2020

Sussex-based sparkling wine producer Digby Fine English has been appointed as the official supplier of English sparkling wine to the House of Commons gift shops.