Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Soave puts spring in step with summer campaign

Published: 07 March, 2019

Soave is ramping up its UK focus, targeting independents and restaurants this summer with a #SummerofSoave campaign.

Post-Brexit trade deals could pressure Government over duty rises

Published: 28 February, 2019

Major New World exporters to the UK could bring pressure to bear on the UK Government over duty rises on wine as part of negotiations over future free trade agreements.

UK still ‘litmus test’ as global benchmark for wine brands

Published: 27 February, 2019

The UK market continues to be the shop window for the world of wine, with the on-trade driving premium sales.

Surveying France

Published: 12 February, 2019

Harpers partnered with Wines Direct to bring you this original survey, comparing UK consumer attitudes and purchasing habits with regard to French wines between 2014 and 2019.

It’s well reported that Australian wine sales into mainland China have been booming, driven by a compelling mix of favourable trade deals, attractiveness of style to Chinese consumers and a firm commitment by the Australian industry to push into that market. Moreover, as with many other territories around the world, the US included, such buyers are prepared to pay a good price for the pleasure of listing the wines.

Brexit blamed for fall in prosecco sales

Published: 21 September, 2018

Exports to the UK of Prosecco have fallen for the first time in 10 years, Coldiretti has revealed.

Repositioning South Africa

Published: 28 August, 2018

Celebrated by critics but crippled by drought and low returns, South Africa rarely has an easy ride.

Few in the trade could have missed the ongoing challenges facing South Africa’s wine producers as the worst drought in 100 years continues to afflict the Cape. With the 2018 crop predicted to be down by 15% after two years of water shortage that almost saw Cape Town meet “day zero” and turn off its domestic supply, the harvest has been described by Bibendum’s South Africa buyer, Paul Meihuizen, as “the most challenging I have ever known”.

Australian bulk prices rise as short harvest meets Chinese thirst

Published: 17 August, 2018

The 2018 crush Down Under will fall short of meeting current demand for Australian wine, driving prices upward.

The resurgence of the port industry

Published: 01 June, 2018

At first glance, it appears to be a case of “same old story” when analysing port’s prospects in the UK. According to CGA Strategy, in the 12 months to February 24, 2018, port sales (by volume, 9-litre cases) decreased by more than 11%, falling 9.8% in value. Nielsen data concurs: retail sales declined by more than 2%, remaining static in MAT TY 142,687 % CHG VS value at £77 million (MAT to March 3, 2018).

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.

Prosecco phenomenon now lifting all sparkling sales

Published: 25 May, 2018

Rather than cannibalising other sparkling wine sales, Prosecco has been so successful in attracting consumers into the category that it is now acting as a “gateway” to other styles of fizz.

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”.

Accolade’s Ade McKeon bullish about UK market as new wine formats launched

Published: 13 April, 2018

At an upbeat presentation at Accolade’s Weybridge UK HQ, where the company launched its 2018 UK Wine Nation Report and unveiled new formats for its wines, general manager Adrian McKeon spoke of “enormous untapped potential in the UK market”, describing it as a “sleeping giant”.

Shaking up the sparkling wine market

Published: 20 March, 2018

It’s long been the case that Champagne sales are a barometer of the times, with a rise or fall in fortunes reflecting the performance of the broader economy. This has held true in the UK market through various recessions and dips, and the current downturn in Champagne sales is no exception.

Gallo turns sights on UK with revamped premium range

Published: 07 March, 2018

Californian producing giant E&J Gallo has identified the UK as a key market to grow its expanding range of high-end wines.

Q&A: Anita Jackson, Wines of Chile

Published: 23 February, 2018

With a special focus on Chile at Spring SITT, Harpers caught up with UK director Anita Jackson for a lowdown on the current buzz.

Sparkling wine, Chile and premium spirits forecast to continue to buck UK downward consumption trend

Published: 15 February, 2018

The growth in sparkling wine, along with premium gin, rum and whisky, is set to continue beyond 2021, helping offset the impart on value sales of a 10-year decline in consumption.

UK Agents: are you being served?

Published: 04 January, 2018

I wish to be cremated… one tenth of my ashes shall be given to my agent, as written in my contract,” quipped Groucho Marx of the breed that acts for the stars. Finding humorous quotes at the expense of agents is easy work, whether levelled at the acting or commercial world, with these designated business representatives – popularly the “10 percenters” – coming in for flack for apparently sitting back while counting their cut for little in return.

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.