Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Vranken-Pommery Monopole becomes first French Champagne house to sell English wine

Published: 07 February, 2018

Champagne producer Vranken-Pommery Monopole has released its first English sparkling wine.

Rousset heads to Champagne for first in wine tour series

Published: 31 January, 2018

Master sommelier and restaurateur Xavier Rousset is preparing to host a guided tour of Champagne that will include tastings, blending sessions and access to the region’s most prestigious producers.

The Champagne Bureau UK teams up with the LWF

Published: 25 January, 2018

The Champagne Bureau UK has partnered with the London Wine Fair (LWF) to bring the world of Champagne to the capital.

War over planting rights erupts in Champagne

Published: 16 January, 2018

A war over planting rights is being waged in France, where Champagne growers want to severely limit new plantings of vines by rival growers in areas surrounding Champagne’s production zone.

Champagne Armand de Brignac appoints new UK importer

Published: 19 December, 2017

Champagne Armand de Brignac has appointed New Generation McKinley (NGM) as its new exclusive UK importer for the brand, commencing 1 January 2018.

ProWein branches out with new Japanese partnership

Published: 06 December, 2017

ProWein is stepping up its presence in Japan by partnering with Foodex – the country’s biggest food and beverage trade fair.

Upmarket Champagne bucks downward sales trend

Published: 27 November, 2017

The Great British love affair with Champagne has been waning – except at the premium end. James Lawrence reports

Crémant upping the pressure

Published: 14 November, 2017

The love of sparkling has led to a spike in production in the Crémant de Bordeaux AOC and others around France. Jo Gilbert reports

Italian sparkler sets out its stall for more UK market share

Published: 08 November, 2017

Lombardy sparkler Franciacorta is embarking on a major push into the UK market following its 50th anniversary. Jo Gilbert reports

Hallgarten adds more sparkle to its Champagne portfolio

Published: 11 October, 2017

Hallgarten has signed a deal as the exclusive UK distributor of Champagne Collet and certified organic producer, Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot, to the on-trade and independents.

Matthew Clark bolsters wine menu with 83 tipples

Published: 10 October, 2017

Matthew Clark has bolstered its menu with an additional 83 wines, taking it to a total of more than 1,400, as part of its autumn wine release.

Berry Bros appoints new buyer for Italy

Published: 03 October, 2017

Berry Bros & Rudd has appointed Italian wine specialist Davy Zyw as buyer for the category.

Champagne Lanson UK bolsters prestige retail division

Published: 28 September, 2017

Champagne Lanson has appointed Christopher Connell as a national account executive in its prestige retail division.

Moët & Chandon appoints Jason Atherton as UK brand ambassador

Published: 26 September, 2017

Moët & Chandon has appointed Michelin star chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton as its UK brand ambassador for the next two years.

The week that was

Published: 22 September, 2017

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have put together a review of the top online news, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Champagne harvest one of the earliest in 67 years

Published: 20 September, 2017

Champagne has followed the European trend of an earlier harvest this year with yields potentially affected by fluctuating weather conditions.

Wine Source UK adds Champagne Gosset to its portfolio

Published: 15 August, 2017

Wine Source UK has added Champagne Gosset to its portfolio.

Fuller’s champions English fizz in own pubs

Published: 08 August, 2017

Fuller’s has replaced its Champagne house pour with English sparkling wine throughout its own pubs following a ‘highly successful’ trial.

Harpers on tour: Champagne buyers trip 2017

Published: 25 July, 2017

Four wine buyers descended on Champagne last month and with their expertise ranging from a Michelin-starred restaurant to independent merchants to drinks distributors, the insight and expectations of Champagne were unique to each buyer. Starting with a trip to Épernay via Montagne de Reims and then south to the Aube, the visits were just as varied as the buyers. Jane Parkinson reports