Category Reports - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Future-proofing Prosecco

Published: 31 May, 2023

Prosecco continues to build momentum in the UK and power onwards on a global scale. Lucy Shaw looks at the trends that continue to revitalise this seemingly invincible category.

With the contrasting styles of Navarra rosados and Provence rosés setting the scene, Harpers’ second Taste Off session set about exploring the opportunities for diversifying the popular pink category in the UK.

Rioja’s great whites

Published: 24 May, 2023

Abbie Bennington delves into the exciting and diverse white Riojas emerging from the Spanish region and why Rioja shouldn’t simply mean red.

Boutique Bulk

Published: 20 March, 2023

Bulk is going boutique and both trade and consumers are the winners. Andrew Catchpole assesses this planet and margin-friendly option.

Managing the flames of Champagne demand

Published: 15 March, 2023

Out of the Covid frying pan into the cost of living fire – having experienced a strong bounce in premium sales, how is Champagne faring as inflationary pressures continue to impact? James Bayley reports.

Closures – beyond cork and screwcap

Published: 06 March, 2023

James Lawrence looks at the top closure innovations beyond cork and screwcap, to find out what is improving both quality control and the consumer experience.

Rum: A global spirit

Published: 03 February, 2023

From the Indian Ocean to the UK, via Denmark, Canada and Japan, growing pockets of quality production outside the Caribbean are turning rum into a truly global affair, writes Jo Gilbert.

The tipping point for sustainable packaging

Published: 09 January, 2023

James Lawrence charts the onward creep of sustainable packaging solutions into the mainstream.

Nigel Huddleston: Whisky business

Published: 04 January, 2023

Nigel Huddleston looks at how the spirit’s global evolution is ‘loosening the chains of tradition’.

Prosecco’s quality battles

Published: 19 December, 2022

While there is a superior classification for Prosecco, James Bayley finds that it sometimes misses the finest players.

Building on bulk

Published: 12 December, 2022

With economic and environmental credentials to the fore, bulk wine is taking an increasingly premium turn, as Andrew Catchpole discovers at WBWE.

Harpers Sustainability Charter: Reaching a higher standard

Published: 05 December, 2022

Almost one year on from the launch of the Harpers Sustainability Charter, Jo Gilbert surveyed its signatories to find out how much progress has been made on lowering carbon footprints.

Harpers Sustainability Charter progress: Green agenda

Published: 02 December, 2022

As the Harpers Sustainability Charter gathers momentum, James Lawrence looks at the progress made by just some of those involved.

Headline heroes: Prosecco – the jewel in the crown

Published: 24 November, 2022

Affordable and trendy, Italy’s famous sparkler has been in the fizz category’s driving seat for some time.
James Lawrence reports

Cava’s return to power

Published: 31 October, 2022

Cava’s image has been bruised in recent years, not least by an exodus of nine influential producers in 2019 from the DO. Nonetheless, it remains a sparkling powerhouse, led by corporate giants Codorníu and Freixenet. The numbers speak for themselves: global exports rose by 16.45% in the first nine months of 2021, according to the Consejo Regulador. However, with stagnant growth in the UK, there are challenges ahead if the DO hopes to reconquer one of Europe’s most dynamic sparkling wine markets.

Revising Rueda

Published: 10 June, 2022

The launch of Gran Vino de Rueda is poised to raise the profile of Spain’s most prolific white DO, writes Andrew Catchpole.

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.

The rise of British rum

Published: 19 March, 2022

The blossoming of a British rum industry builds on the history of rum as a truly international spirit that increasingly finds its strength in both geographically blended and GI-protected areas of identification. Jo Gilbert reports.

Seltzers: Turning on the hard sell

Published: 04 February, 2022

A hard seltzer might sound like a hangover cure to us Brits, but their power in the low-calorie, low-abv proposition, is not to be sniffed at. Jo Gilbert reports.

How can scotch thrive post-pandemic?

Published: 01 December, 2021

Douglas Blyde looks at some of the more innovative strides made by Scotch producers over the course of the pandemic in order to remain resilient in the fallout from Brexit, lockdowns and the USA’s draconian import taxes.