Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Pol Roger Portfolio to distribute Kilchoman whiskies

Published: 01 December, 2014

Islay distillery Kilchoman has signed a deal with the family-run Pol Roger Champagne to distribute its range of single malt whiskies.

Krug releases three Grande Cuvées in special limited edition ID case

Published: 24 November, 2014

Fans of Krug Champagne can splash out this Christmas on a limited edition special gift box set that includes three bottles of Krug Grande Cuvée each with a different story behind the blend.

It's all about the bubbles: from one rapper to another

Published: 07 November, 2014

Bubbles have long been beloved by the rich and famous. And that love in turn helps to spread the love more widely and boom! you've got a stellar success, says the Claret Pimpernel.

Naked Wines' angels recruit top Champagne maker JP Moulin

Published: 04 November, 2014

Naked Wines' angels have raised £500,000 to allow Jean Phillippe Moulin, former Ruinart, Mumm and Baron de Rothschild winemaker, to launch his own Champagne line.

Virgin Wines wants to be Interflora of wine gifting

Published: 03 November, 2014

Online wine retailer Virgin Wines is looking to "own" the wine gifts market with its new gifting service which includes options from £20 to £150.

Champagne Canard-Duchêne sees volumes grow 2.54%

Published: 13 October, 2014

Champagne Canard-Duchêne has seen its sales volumes grow 2.54% for the six months to July 2014, shipping almost 1.7 million bottles in that time.

Sparkling wine sales up 15% in last year, says Kantar

Published: 13 October, 2014

Sparkling wine is the fastest-growing alcohol in Great Britain, with sales up by 15% to £541 million in the past year in the off-trade, according to figures from Kantar Worldpanel.

Moët & Chandon joins Europe's celebrations at the Ryder Cup

Published: 29 September, 2014

Europe's victory in this weekend's Ryder Cup brought smiles not only to golf fans across the continent, but to the marketing team at Moët & Chandon whose sponsorship of the event resulted in priceless images of the winning team celebrating with its Champagne appearing in the international press around the world.

Francoise Peretti of the UK's Champagne Bureau on the region's 2014 harvest

Published: 17 September, 2014

Peretti tells Harpers.co.uk this year's Champagne harvest is "textbook" so far, with high quality grapes that could lead to a vintage year.

Consumer confidence rises despite drop in wine and spirits sales says WSTA

Published: 16 September, 2014

There are further signs that the economy is recovering and consumer confidence is returning despite a fall in wine and spirits sales, according to the latest market report issued by the Wine & Spirit Trade Association.

Top Champagne brands buck decline as sales grow 9%

Published: 14 August, 2014

The top eight Champagne brands are bucking falling sales in the off-trade, as collective sales have grown by 9% in the last year.

Circle 360 plans to expand its shopping centre Champagne bar concept to up to 20 UK sites

Published: 05 August, 2014

Champagne and cocktail bar concept Circle 360 is planning to have 15 to 20 UK sites by the end of 2015, with its first international outlets also in the pipeline.

Jeremy Rockett leaves González Byass GB after 10 years

Published: 30 July, 2014

González Byass GB marketing director Jeremy Rockett has left the business after 10 years of service.

Price comparison site Bring A Bottle pinpoints cheapest times to buy major drinks brands

Published: 30 July, 2014

Customers should be buying and stockpiling lager in June and July, and Champagne at Christmas, according to new data from Bring A Bottle which pinpoints exactly when the biggest promotions start across a range of top-selling brands.

Major wine companies should not pin their futures on China, warns Krug chief

Published: 28 July, 2014

The wine world needs to let go of its obsession with China, and stop believing that the market can solve all its problems, according to Margareth Henriquez., chief executive of Krug, the top branded Champagne house.

Big discounts expected on Champagne this Christmas

Published: 21 July, 2014

Champagne agents expect big discounts at UK supermarkets this Christmas, thanks to weak demand for the sparkling wine in its home country.

Total World Cup drinks sales reach £1.1billion despite fading interest in final weeks

Published: 18 July, 2014

Final drinks sales for the World Cup reveal that overall beers, wines and spirits were up by £15.1 million for the five weeks of the tournament to top £1.1 billion.

No sign of slowdown in sparkling wine growth

Published: 07 July, 2014

Sparkling wine sales are showing no signs of slowing down - volumes rocketed 20% in the second quarter of 2014.

Tour de France celebrates with Champagne de Castelnau

Published: 02 July, 2014

As parts of the UK brace themselves for the start of the gruelling Tour de France cycle race that starts in Yorkshire on July 5, Champagne de Castelnau has introduced this very appropriate limited edition Champagne.

Britain continues to drink through the World Cup despite England's exit

Published: 27 June, 2014

England may have crashed out of the World Cup but the nation is continuing to drink through it, according to the latest figures released by the Wilson Drinks Report.