Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Gin sales boom with 45% growth at Christmas

Published: 04 January, 2018

Gin was the runaway success of the last minute Christmas booze run, with shoppers buying a huge 45% more in the week before the big day than 2016.

Brexit and bad harvests could dampen supply of fizz

Published: 02 January, 2018

2018 could be the year that Brits’ love of sparkling catches up with them as experts predict a fizz shortage could be about to descend on the UK.

Window of opportunity for white, sparkling and low ABV wines

Published: 29 November, 2017

Wine is set to continue this year’s winning streak thanks to a boost from sparkling, white and low/no alcohol wines.

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

Sparkling newcomers turn to fruits and flowers for traditional method launch

Published: 08 November, 2017

As sparkling wine continues to grow in popularity, producers and enthusiasts are increasingly turning to the English countryside to look for sources of inspiration.

How consumer on-trade spend could top 2016 this Christmas

Published: 13 October, 2017

Forecasters are predicting that bars and pubs could be set to exceed last year's Christmas takings, despite continued “shaky” consumer confidence post-Brexit.

Tesco adds sparklers to its range

Published: 29 September, 2017

Tesco has added four new sparkling wines to its Finest own-label wine range this month, created in partnership with world renowned producers.

Retail wine sales hit six-year high as Brexit pushes up prices

Published: 13 September, 2017

Sales of still wine in the off-trade saw record value growth in the last quarter new figures show, as well as the largest increase in average prices since April 2014.

The cava conundrum

Published: 27 July, 2017

Spain’s famous fizz needs some imaginative thinking to return its sparkle, argues James Lawrence

Rioja introduces single vineyard and sparkling

Published: 12 June, 2017

Discussions around the future of Rioja have come to a head this week with two new major decisions from the D.O.Ca. control board.

Hush Heath launches sparkling apple wine

Published: 01 June, 2017

Kent producer Hush Heath is mixing up its offering through the launch of two new apple sparkling drinks made in the traditional method.

Coates & Seely signs deal as Goodwood’s English fizz supplier

Published: 30 May, 2017

Coates & Seely has signed a deal as the exclusive English sparkling wine partner of Goodwood Racecourse.

LWF: Exton Park goes small with half-sized bottles

Published: 24 May, 2017

English sparkling wine producer Exton Park showcased its half-sized 37.5ml bottles of sparkling wines at this year's London Wine Fair (LWF).

LWF: English wine producers reveal export focus

Published: 23 May, 2017

Bolney Wine Estate and Lyme Bay Winery are both gearing up to tap the popularity of English fizz abroad, with the former set to make its first move into Scandinavia and the latter poised to ‘significantly’ increase its acres as part of a new export strategy.

Prosecco DOC Consorzio UK office to build on record exports

Published: 22 May, 2017

Following record exports to the UK in 2016, the Prosecco DOC is looking to consolidate its growth in the UK, announcing the appointment of a dedicated press office, as part of a global rollout that has already seen similar support in China, USA and Germany.

English Sparkling: Spotlight on potential

Published: 19 May, 2017

Jo Gilbert looks at what the future may hold for English sparkling wines at home and abroad

How do we maintain quality as English sparkling grows?

Published: 19 May, 2017

The biggest recent headline for English sparkling wine (ESW) so far in 2017 has been the prediction that one million vines are going to be planted between the start and the end of the year.