United Kingdom - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Spike in online searches for English wine

Published: 10 June, 2020

Online searches for English wine boomed as the UK headed into lockdown, according to new research.

Wine GB calls on trade to get behind virtual English Wine Week

Published: 05 June, 2020

Wine GB has called on the trade to get behind its newly launched virtual format of English Wine Week, which will take place from 20 to 28 June.

British vineyards hit by Covid crisis

Published: 02 June, 2020

The Covid-19 outbreak is causing serious damage to the UK’s wine industry, according to a survey of its members commissioned by Wines of Great Britain.

Wine GB unveils new initiative to support UK producers

Published: 30 April, 2020

Wine GB has unveiled a new initiative aimed at boosting sales of English and Welsh wines to help producers and growers hit by the lack of cellar door sales and the on-trade closure.

English wine initiative reaches 13 million consumers

Published: 17 April, 2020

The #theBIGenglishwinegoodfriday initiative has been hailed an "unmitigated success" by English and Welsh wineries, reaching 13 million consumers.

Wine tourism website launches online wine shop to help during coronavirus

Published: 05 April, 2020

Wine Cellar Door, the website set up to help people find visitor-friendly vineyards in the UK, has launched an online wine shop.

Black Chalk tweet evolves into support initiative for English wine industry

Published: 03 April, 2020

Black Chalk winemaker Jacob Leadley has inadvertently started a support initiative for the English wine industry.

Chapel Down says “very well placed” to weather the crisis but temporarily stops beer production

Published: 01 April, 2020

Chapel Down has said it believes it is “very well placed to weather the crisis and thrive in the aftermath”, but has temporarily closed its beer and cider arm, Curious Brewery.

Gusbourne expands still wine offer

Published: 30 March, 2020

Kent-based sparkling-wine producer Gusbourne is to make available a number of limited-release still wines this year.

Ridgeview supports Hospitality Action

Published: 26 March, 2020

Ridgeview has pledged to support Hospitality Action via a new initiative that will see the Sussex winery donate £2 for every bottle of its sparkling wine sold online to the charity.

Friday Read: UK wineries battle coronavirus crisis with British determination

Published: 20 March, 2020

Rapidly slowing exports, a pivoting to direct to consumer sales as on-trade sales stall and vineyards on lock down – such is the picture of the UK wine industry today as it grapples with the ongoing disruption from the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Nyetimber and Plumpton join forces to develop winemakers of the future

Published: 09 March, 2020

Nyetimber is looking to help develop the next generation of wine industry leaders via a new placement scheme in conjunction with Plumpton College’s wine division.

Hattingley Valley releases first still wines

Published: 05 March, 2020

Hattingley Valley is officially broadening its stable of wines beyond sparkling with two new still wines soon to be released as part of a stand-alone range.

Hambledon switches from FM&V to Mentzendorff as it looks to ramp up distribution

Published: 28 February, 2020

Hambledon Vineyards and Fields, Morris & Verdin (FM&V) have revealed plans to part ways as the English sparkling wine producer seeks to ramp up its UK distribution.

WSTA calls on Chancellor to support wine and spirit SMEs

Published: 18 February, 2020

Several UK wine and spirit SMEs have united to urge the new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak MP, to cut wine and spirit duty by 2% to help boost British business.

Fox & Fox renews focus and steps up production

Published: 14 February, 2020

Fox & Fox has announced plans to double its capacity as part of a new strategy to focus expressly on "wine making and marketing".

Southern hemisphere wines to receive post-Brexit boost

Published: 10 February, 2020

Wines from the southern hemisphere will thrive most in post-Brexit Britain, according to the latest Wine Trade Monitor from food-and-drink communications agency Sopexa.

Langham winemaker leaves to establish sustainable winery

Published: 07 February, 2020

The head winemaker at Dorset winery Langham Estate has branched out on his own to embark on a sustainable winemaking venture.

Essex and East Anglia primed for viticultural expansion say climate change researchers

Published: 28 January, 2020

Climate change researchers have pegged Essex and Norfolk as the next major areas to plant as warmer summers extend the area where grapes can be grown productively in the UK.