Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Industry urged to better market English sparkling as poll shows 85% British consumers ‘don’t have a clue’

Published: 03 August, 2018

British consumers are ‘clueless’ when it comes to English sparkling wine, a survey has revealed.

Record-breaking weather means Champagne harvest will begin in August

Published: 27 July, 2018

The 2018 Champagne harvest will become only the fifth vintage in the last 15 years to begin in August, according to the Comité Champagne.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Are wine drinkers being duped?

Published: 23 July, 2018

So, it’s au revoir to Monsieur Paillard, for 20 years the President of the Commission for the Protection of Champagne. He has thrown his toys out of the pram at the news that Champagne Palmer has signed an exclusive distribution deal in the US with Constellation Brand’s fine wine division.

Northern talent dominates Champagne Taittinger UK Sommelier of the Year

Published: 17 July, 2018

Alex Freguin, head sommelier at Moor Hall in Ormskirk, West Lancashire has been crowned the Champagne Taittinger UK Sommelier of the Year 2018.

Nyetimber reveals plans to grow exports

Published: 12 July, 2018

Nyetimber has revealed plans to expand its international reach with the aim growing its exports to 20% in the next 10 years.

Lack of centralised name for English wine ‘huge lost opportunity’

Published: 09 July, 2018

The lack of a centralised name for English wine has been described as a “huge lost opportunity” and has spurred on research to unveil how to fulfil the category’s potential.

English winemakers experiment with Charmat method

Published: 26 June, 2018

A number of English winemakers are breaking with convention to produce fizz made using a method more often associated with Prosecco.

Plumpton College introduces awareness day to highlight ‘light strike’ damage

Published: 20 June, 2018

Plumpton College has, in partnership with Sparkling Wine World Championship (CSWWC) and Nyetimber introduced a ‘light strike’ awareness day coinciding with summer solstice - the longest day of the year.

Gonzalez Byass turns focus on Champagne Deutz

Published: 19 June, 2018

Gonzalez Byass has turned the focus on Champagne Deutz with a summer push to promote the premium French fizz.

Dom Pérignon reveals Vincent Chaperon to take over from Richard Geoffroy as Chef de Cave

Published: 18 June, 2018

Dom Pérignon has announced Vincent Chaperon is to take over as Chef de Cave in January succeeding Richard Geoffroy.

Piper-Heidsieck promotes Séverine Frerson to Chef de Cave

Published: 15 June, 2018

Piper-Heidsieck has promoted Séverine Frerson to the role of Chef de Cave.

Moët Hennessy appoints new president and CEO of The Glenmorangie Company

Published: 14 June, 2018

Moët Hennessy has appointed its current Hennessy marketing director Thomas Moradpour as president and CEO of The Glenmorangie Company.

Big name Champagnes fare best as Brexit hits smaller players

Published: 01 June, 2018

Brexit-related inflation is hitting drinkers of cheaper and less well-known Champagnes hardest in the UK as sales of entry-level bottles continue to fall, while bigger name brands and more expensive cuvées are faring better.

LWF: Nicolas Feuillatte targets UK on-trade as part of global investment strategy

Published: 24 May, 2018

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte is looking to the UK to replicate its success in penetrating the US on-trade with the launch of channel-specific labels, backed by major ongoing investment, promising to deliver “Champagne for the many, not the few”.

Castelnau launches second Hors Catégorie cuvée as it looks to double sales

Published: 25 April, 2018

Champagne Castelnau last night launched Hors Catégorie cuvée - the second prestige cuvée to be released as part of the premium collection.

Harrods new Fine Wines and Spirits Rooms aims to educate and ‘break down barriers’

Published: 19 April, 2018

Luxury department store Harrods has reaffirmed its place as one of London’s premiere destinations for fine wines and spirits after unveiling its multi-million pound renovation.