Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

'Corpinnat', yet one more classification for Cava wines

Published: 11 April, 2018

Cava, Spain's sparkling wine Denomination of Origin based almost entirely in Penedès, Catalonia now has another potential classification to add labels.

Gigglewater partners with The British National Film Academy

Published: 27 March, 2018

Sparkling wine brand Gigglewater has partnered with The British National Film Academy.

Zonin eyes new winemaking territories as Chilean portfolio roll out continues

Published: 21 March, 2018

Buoyed by its recent foray into Chilean production, Italian producer Zonin 1821 has revealed ambitions for further winemaking ventures beyond its homeland, with New Zealand and even the UK cited as potential countries of interest.

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.

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.

Tre Bicchieri heads to London

Published: 31 January, 2018

As UK sales of Italian wine continue to boom, some of Italy’s top winemakers are converging in London next week for Tre Bicchieri Grand Tasting.

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.

Still wine swipes the Christmas sales crown

Published: 11 January, 2018

Still wine has emerged as the surprising winner of the wine aisle across the all-important Christmas season, with sales finally back in growth and outperforming Prosecco for the first time in several years.

Trends of 2017

Published: 20 December, 2017

There has been no shortage of evolution in the drinks world over the past year, providing canny operators with plenty of openings for upping customer engagement. Andrew Catchpole 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

How the “crazy” state of Prosecco’s 23p price erosion could be about to change

Published: 17 October, 2017

The media last week widely reported that the average price for a bottle of Prosecco has fallen a further 23p over past year as competition drives down prices.

Martini ups premium Prosecco bid

Published: 12 October, 2017

Brand heavyweight Martini has outlined plans to put its stamp on premium Prosecco. Jo Gilbert reports

Tim Atkin MW: Lidl’s Prosecco party

Published: 12 September, 2017

It was a familiar scenario. Offer Brits what seems like a bargain and they’ll form orderly queues at 6.30am on a Bank Holiday Monday. To be fair to those early morning Lidl shoppers, it looked like a spectacular deal: a case of Prosecco for the flute-clinking sum of £20, the equivalent of £3.33 a bottle. When you bear in mind that the duty and VAT amount to £3.23, it would be legally impossible to offer the wine any cheaper.

Aldi introduces first sparkling red wine

Published: 02 August, 2017

Aldi has launched its summer wine portfolio with a focus on bubbles, including the discounter’s first sparkling red wine.

Champagne Warehouse sets up dedicated on-trade and indies arm

Published: 18 July, 2017

Champagne Warehouse has launched a dedicated arm to push the on-trade, wholesales and indies side of the business.

Cellar Trends continues Rosolio resurrection with new deal

Published: 12 July, 2017

Branded alcohol distributor, Cellar Trends, has taken on the distribution and marketing for Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto with the hopes of launching the Rosolio category into the UK.

Cheeky wine brand seeks to challenge 'traditional' Prosecco

Published: 29 June, 2017

Cheeky Young Wines Co, part of International Wine Shippers, has made its UK debut with the launch of a Prosecco.

i heart Prosecco heads onto social media for latest collab

Published: 22 June, 2017

Copestick Murray’s successful i heart brand is looking to the internet for the next step in propelling its Prosecco range to sparkling superstardom.

Crown Cellars reveals new wine portfolio

Published: 02 June, 2017

Crown Cellars, the wine division of Carlsberg UK, has unveiled its 2017/18 wine portfolio, with a focus on Spain and Italy.

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.