Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Volume of champagne shipments to UK saw growth in 2025

Published: 08 April, 2026

The volume of champagne shipments to the UK grew by +1.9% in 2025 compared to 2024, according to figures from Comité Champagne.

Calvados holds out against contracting spirits background

Published: 03 March, 2026

French apple spirit Calvados recorded a sales volume contraction of 5.6% in 2025, representing a moderate drop compared to the more significant deceleration happening in global spirits.

New format Taste Spain delivers gastronomic lift

Published: 26 February, 2026

From Jamón Ibérico to perfect paella, by way of masterclasses on extra virgin olive oil, Vinos de Pagos and Ferrán Centelles’ (of El Bulli fame) cava and sherry session, the new look Taste Spain event in London this week (24 February) certainly delivered on the palate.

Pernod Ricard sees H1 sales slump amid challenging market

Published: 19 February, 2026

French drinks heavyweight Pernod Ricard saw a 5.9% decline in organic sales to €5.25bn in the first half of its financial year. Declines were most concerning in the US and Chinese markets, falling 15% and 28%, respectively.

Austria: Tasting truths

Published: 16 February, 2026

When consumers taste Austrian wines, they often don’t look back – but how should the trade be enticing them to take that first step? David Kermode reports.

Sake export value nearly doubles over past five years

Published: 06 February, 2026

Since 2020, the value of sake exports has almost doubled, with the category achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% over the past five years.

Portugal places UK at centre of growth ambitions

Published: 02 February, 2026

As part of its international growth strategy, Wines of Portugal – the interprofessional Portugese wine association – has said that it intends to make the UK Portugal’s number one export market over the next decade.

New Zealand’s free spirit

Published: 28 January, 2026

With more freedom to experiment than most, New Zealand producers are creating wines with unrivalled personality, writes Hamish Graham.

South African exports show resilience amid global market pressure

Published: 26 January, 2026

According to industry body Wines of South Africa (WoSA), South African wine exports this year have demonstrated resilience against a challenging global market.

Is it time for Australia to shift its focus?

Published: 26 January, 2026

David Kermode takes the temperature of the Australian wine market to determine whether its mass-market appeal still holds true or if it’s time to prioritise premiumisation.

Celebrating 50 years of Crémant de Loire

Published: 15 October, 2025

At the stylish Searcys bar in St Pancras, Vins de Loire celebrated 50 years of the Crémant de Loire AOC.

New Zealand Winegrowers releases 2025 report

Published: 29 September, 2025

New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country’s wine industry, has released its Annual Report 2025.

Santa Rita’s Terry Pennington reflects on Chile’s premium potential

Published: 18 August, 2025

Chile’s premium offering has sometimes been overshadowed by that of its Argentine neighbour. By no means are the country’s higher end wines limited in scope, as reflects Terry Pennington, export director UK, ROI and Iberia at Santa Rita Estates.

New report suggests growth opportunity lies with premium for South African Wine

Published: 15 August, 2025

An agricultural outlook for South Africa’s wine sector has highlighted challenges and opportunities, showing that while production volumes are expected to stabilise below historical levels, there is a path for growth.

Foley Family appoints Jay Gifford to lead international sales

Published: 05 August, 2025

US drinks group Foley Family Wines & Spirits (FFWS) has announced the onboarding of Jay Gifford to its team in the newly created role of international MD.

Australia: Wine exports to China stabilise with other markets down

Published: 29 July, 2025

A new export report from Wine Australia shows that after an initial surge in sales after Chinese tariffs on Australian wine ended last year, Aussie wine sales to China have begun to stabilise.

Tariff threat continues for EU producers

Published: 14 July, 2025

EU wine producers have been assessing the potential impact of a 30% tariff on wine bound for the US market following the latest missive from The White House on Friday (11 July).

Italy: Fears overproduction could lead to wine price collapse

Published: 07 July, 2025

Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), Italy’s leading wine trade body, has warned urgent action must be taken to protect the industry. The calls come amid fears of overproduction as the nation continues to expand its land area under vine.

Demand for Rhône whites grows as appellation diversifies offering

Published: 02 July, 2025

Rhône Valley white wines saw a 3% growth in demand in 2024 compared to 2023, with 5% growth seen compared to a three-year average.

France battles on: The latest stats

Published: 26 June, 2025

French wine on-trade sales have taken a hit over the past year, though bright spots are present, with a strong showing in the off-trade for Gallic labels by contrast. Off-trade performance is partly spurred by French sparkling – according to Kantar’s Take Home Purchase Panel the category grew 24% and 4.6% in terms of volume and value respectively over the past five years – the diverging figures potentially illustrating the promise of categories such as Crémant.