Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

IWC Champion Sparkling Wine goes to England

Published: 10 September, 2025

For the first time ever, the International Wine Challenge (IWC) have given an English wine the Champion Sparkling Wine (Daniel Thibault Trophy) award.

Top Cava now 100% organic certified

Published: 04 September, 2025

D.O Cava has announced that beginning with the 2022 harvest, all Guarda Superior Cavas (which includes the Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Paraje Calificado categories) have been produced exclusively with grapes from 100% organic certified vineyards.

F1 partners with Moët Hennessy-backed 0% sparkling French Bloom

Published: 04 September, 2025

French Bloom has been announced as the official non-alcohol sparkling wine of Formula 1. The move comes as a part of the wider partnership between the famed racing series and LVMH.

Prosecco Superiore Consorzio becomes supporter of IMW

Published: 11 August, 2025

The Consorzio Tutela del Vino Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco has become an official supporter of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW).

Sparkling diversifies: consumers drift away from Champagne

Published: 18 June, 2025

Global wine consumption is on a downward spiral thanks to a perfect storm of negative influences, from economic factors and health concerns to the moderate drinking trend and changing consumption patterns across occasions. According to the IWSR’s 2024 report, What’s Driving Wine’s Structural Decline, per capita consumption of wine in the UK peaked in 2009 and has been in decline since, “except for a small temporary boost during Covid. On a per-adult basis, the UK now drinks about 14% less wine than it did in 2000.”

Maison Ruinart’s Frédéric Panaïotis passes away

Published: 17 June, 2025

Maison Ruinart’s cellar master Frédéric Panaïotis passed away on 15 June, aged just 60.

Five minutes with Claudia Bastiaensen, Moët Hennessy UK

Published: 06 May, 2025

When you look at, not necessarily Moët Hennessy’s numbers, but the overall category numbers on wine, and notably on Champagne as well, the economic context is challenging. But when it comes to rosé, we do not see growth stopping or slowing down yet. The category is still growing significantly, notably on the premium end.

Viña Pomal launches first sparkling Rioja wine for the UK

Published: 02 May, 2025

Rioja brand Viña Pomal has launched Viña Pomal Sparkling Reserva 2020 exclusively to the UK market through Majestic.

Bibendum recruits Corpinnat producer Sabaté i Coca to portfolio

Published: 16 April, 2025

Importer and on-trade specialist Bibendum has announced the expansion of its sparkling portfolio with the addition of Corpinnat producer Sabaté i Coca.

Freixenet unveils premium alcohol-free offerings

Published: 14 April, 2025

Cava giant Freixenet has announced the launch of its Freixenet Cordon Negro 0,0% and Freixenet Cordon Negro 0,0% rosé. The brut and rosé releases signify a continued push by the Spanish producer into the alcohol-free market, with these premium releases seen as the next step into this domain.

Battle of the Bubbles: LWF to host sparkling sparring match

Published: 11 April, 2025

London Wine Fair has announced the ‘Battle of the Bubbles’ as the theme of its annual Icon Tasting. The event will see Champagne go up against its global competitors in a blind tasting contest, drawing upon expertise from across the British wine trade to cast a fresh assessment.

Wine Lister: English sparkling competes with Champagne in quality perception

Published: 21 March, 2025

A new report on English sparkling wine from Wine Lister, the fine wine consulting agency, shows that on average critics’ score the category 90.6, which compares favourably with sector-leading Champagne wines (90.8).

Cava giant Raventós Codorníu achieves B Corp status

Published: 12 March, 2025

Raventós Codorníu, the winery group known for its industry-leading Codorníu Cava, has been certified as a B Corp company by B Lab Spain after achieving a score of 88.5 points, well above the 80 points needed to gain the accolade.

Champagne embraces Tate Modern for return to London tasting circuit

Published: 20 February, 2025

France’s most celebrated fizz is returning in force to the London stage in the shape of The Definitive Champagne Tasting.

Freixenet Copestick appoints Maria Lopez as new sales director

Published: 20 February, 2025

Sparkling-wine specialists, Freixenet Copestick, has added Maria Lopez to their leadership team in the position of sales director.

Hambledon leads portfolio expansion at Fells

Published: 17 February, 2025

Fells has announced a trio of new additions to its portfolio, including the part Berry Bros &. Rudd-owned English Hambledon Vineyard and Joseph Burrier from Mâconnais and Beaujolais in France.

Hallgarten pops the cork on Nicolas Feuillatte partnership

Published: 02 January, 2025

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has rung in the new year by becoming the exclusive new importer for Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the UK, as of yesterday (1 January 2025).

Wiston Estate signs exclusive distribution agreement with Hallgarten

Published: 18 December, 2024

Sussex-based Wiston Estate has become the latest member of the Hallgarten family, joining a prestigious roll call of English wine producers including Coates & Seeley, Ridgeview and Simpsons Wine Estate.