Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Headline Heroes: Champagne’s sustainability revolution

Published: 13 November, 2024

Maison Perrier-Jouët is among key Champagne houses committed to introducing practices that will help meet climate objectives. James Lawrence reports.

Five minutes with Patrick McGrath MW

Published: 29 October, 2024

Over a sneak preview of the recently disgorged (and as yet to be released) Domaine Evremond Classic Cuvée – the joint sparkling venture in Kent between Champagne Taittinger and its UK agent-importer Hatch Mansfield – Andrew Catchpole catches up with Hatch’s Patrick McGrath MW, who explains the inspiration for this ambitious project.

Producer Q&A: Cyril Brun, Ferrari Trento

Published: 22 October, 2024

Jason Millar catches up with native Champenois winemaker Cyril Brun to assess his impact on the sparkling wines of Trentodoc’s market-leading Ferrari Trento.

Perrier-Jouët toasts new Chardonnay cellar

Published: 16 October, 2024

Maison Perrier-Jouët has announced the inauguration of its new Chardonnay dedicated cellar, aimed at enhancing this key grape variety in its wines.

Armand de Brignac adds first vintage to luxury portfolio

Published: 16 October, 2024

Armand de Brignac Champagne has unveiled its first ever vintage release, a magnum of Blanc de Noirs from 2015 which will sit at the top of the pile as the house’s newest ultra-prestige cuvée.

Champagne: Gold blends

Published: 15 October, 2024

The art of assemblage is being mined for new opportunities by Champagne houses looking to premiumise in a tough trading environment. Jo Gilbert reports.

Buyer’s Spotlight: Cap Classique

Published: 15 October, 2024

These sparklers may still be a small sector, but Jason Millar says it’s time to call attention to them.

Hallgarten signs deal with Champagne Palmer

Published: 16 September, 2024

Specialist wine importer, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, is continuing the steady expansion of its French portfolio with the addition of Champagne Palmer. Available immediately to the UK hospitality and retail sectors, the new addition is part of a significant business expansion plans in 2024 to boost Hallgarten’s trade offer, with a host of new additions being announced in recent weeks.

Henkell Freixenet Crémant sales surge beyond global average

Published: 02 August, 2024

Henkell Freixenet has reported a significant rise in Crémant sales this year, outpacing global trends as consumers increasingly turn to alternative sparkling wines.

Champagne prepares for upcoming harvest

Published: 22 July, 2024

Champagne winegrowers and houses gathered at the Comité Champagne headquarters in Epernay to determine the conditions for this year's harvest.

Henri Giraud MV19 tasting reveals hidden depths in Champagne

Published: 18 July, 2024

The trade was introduced to the newest vintage release of Henri Giraud this week, with the Aÿ Grand Cru Fût de Chêne MV19 becoming the latest cuvee to be added to the cannon of this little known, yet widely prized, Champagne house.

Headline Heroes: Creating Champagne’s ‘perfect year’

Published: 17 July, 2024

David Kermode looks at how top Champagne houses are taking their pick of the best vintages to create superior blends

Jukes inks global distribution agreement with Champagne Billecart-Salmon

Published: 04 July, 2024

The new distribution arm of Champagne Billecart-Salmon is looking to bolster its ranks of zero alcohol drinks in France and beyond by teaming up with Jukes – the premium zero alcohol wine range from wine writer Matthew Jukes.

Guy Woodward: English wine is facing a dilemma

Published: 02 July, 2024

Last month’s English Wine Week kicked off with two high-profile but contrasting events. First, the august members’ club 67 Pall Mall held a glitzy industry lunch for producers, trade and media. Nineteen different English wines were poured

France Report: The Champagne bubble

Published: 26 June, 2024

David Kermode charts a bumpy ride for France’s favourite fizz

Lanson follows Le Black Création with launch of complimentary new rosé

Published: 06 June, 2024

Champagne Lanson has introduced Le Rosé Création 67 to the UK, following in the footsteps of the multi-vintage Le Black Création, unveiled in 2023.

Profile: The shapeshifting Canned Wine Co

Published: 16 May, 2024

With quality canned wines firmly on the rise, Andrew Catchpole visits one of the most innovative in the business.

One Champagne house left standing in Royal Warrant refresh

Published: 13 May, 2024

A number of Champagne brands could have fallen out of favour in King Charles III’s first Royal Warrant list after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Champagne faces off against sparkling Riesling

Published: 07 May, 2024

Champagne’s supremacy was put through its paces last week when it went head to head with a ‘lost and forgotten world-class category’ of sparkling wines in a blind tasting.