Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Marta Vidal elected president of Cava DO

Published: 12 June, 2026

Marta Vidal has been elected as the new president of the Cava Designation of Origin for the next four years, the first woman to attain the position.

Grands Chais de France celebrates UK Crémant growth

Published: 22 May, 2026

Crémant has recently seen rapid growth in the UK, driven by value-led premiumisation and an increasing interest in regional exploration, according to producer Grands Chais de France (GCF).

Opinion: Gary Smith, CEO, MDCV UK

Published: 14 May, 2026

The English wine trade has reached a point of maturity that would have seemed unlikely just 20 years ago. English sparkling wine, produced using the traditional method, has secured critical acclaim, strong on-trade presence and a reputation for quality that now comfortably sits alongside champagne. That achievement should not be underestimated: it has validated English viticulture, attracted serious capital investment and helped build a premium image for the category.

Fizz for thought: The prospects of English Charmat

Published: 06 May, 2026

Up on the rooftop terrace of Babble on Hove’s hip and newly revamped seafront, talk has turned Wylde – that’s the name of Sussex producer Everflyht’s first Charmat-method wine; a fruit-forward, crowd-pleasing, quality sparkling rosé, Provence-pink in colour, bursting with summer red berries and with a touch of sweetness.

Top Cava producer Juvé & Camps set to jump ship to Corpinnat

Published: 02 April, 2026

Juvé & Camps are set to leave DO Cava and join the Corpinnat association, increasing the latter’s membership to 22.

Henkell Freixenet secures 100% ownership of Freixenet

Published: 04 March, 2026

Sparkling wine giant Henkell Freixenet has unveiled it now has full ownership of Freixenet SA, becoming its sole shareholder.

Five wines gain top Cava designation

Published: 03 March, 2026

DO Cava has announced that five new wines have received the ‘Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado’ designation, the premier Cava categorisation the body gives out.

Laurent-Perrier gallops into partnership with Newbury Racecourse

Published: 02 March, 2026

Champagne house Laurent-Perrier and Berkshire’s Newbury Racecourse have unveiled a three-year partnership.

Champagne premiumisation: Growing discernment amongst consumers

Published: 13 February, 2026

On a pedestal it may often be placed, but even champagne is not immune to the trends enveloping the wine world. Overall, as a category, it continues to hold its position as a benchmark premium wine, remaining the fizz of choice for many private celebrations, high-end hospitality occasions and corporate events. But speak with leading brands, and the word ‘polarisation’ crops up severally, with a picture that somewhat mirrors that of still wine consumption. Shifts towards premium, more personal choices and ‘less but better’ appear to be defining choices when it comes to those celebratory occasions.

Ridgeview acquired by consortium led by Quantum Beverage Co

Published: 12 February, 2026

Sussex wine producer Ridgeview Wine Estate has announced that it has been acquired by an investor consortium – QBRidge Ltd – led by Quantum Beverage Co (QBev).

Overall Prosecco sales growth muted but impressive US increase

Published: 15 January, 2026

The Prosecco DOC has unveiled its sales figures for 2025 with 667 million bottles sold globally – representing 1.1% growth year on year. The value of these sales stood at €3.6bn, approximately the same as 2024.

Champagnes & Chateaux tap Richard Nunn for new role

Published: 14 January, 2026

Premium wine distributor Champagnes & Chateaux has announced that Richard Nunn will be appointed to the new role of off-trade key account manager. The well-known industry figure joins the company following 35 years with Louis Latour.

Champagne Cattier launch: Premium on-trade ambitions for independent house

Published: 16 December, 2025

At Mayfair’s glitzy new Lilibet’s restaurant export director at Champagne Cattier, François Colas (pictured, centre) guided attendees through the producer’s range as well as its ambitions for the UK market, following its recent on-trade partnership with Enotria.

Friday read: The good, the bad and the bubbly from Hampshire

Published: 12 December, 2025

At Vineyards of Hampshire’s recent annual Fizz Fest in Winchester, Justin Keay dug a little deeper to find both cheer and concern among the producers present.

BA first class set to introduce Sugrue South Downs

Published: 10 December, 2025

Sussex winery Sugrue South Downs has unveiled that its Cuvée Dr Brendan O’Regan sparkler is due to be served in British Airways’ (BA) first class from January through March over the next three years.

Sustainable Wine Roundtable unveils inaugural sparkling wine report

Published: 26 November, 2025

The Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) has marked the second anniversary of its bottle weight accord (BWA) by publishing the world's first comprehensive study into sparkling wine bottle lightweighting, in addition to welcoming two new major supporters.

Friday Read: Perrier-Jouët on preserving heritage amid our changing climate

Published: 21 November, 2025

At Lucky Cat restaurant at 22 Bishopsgate, Perrier-Jouët chef de cave, Séverine Frerson (pictured), guided Harpers through a tasting which demonstrated how Champagne viticulture could adapt to our ever-changing climate.

The rise of Cap Classique

Published: 17 November, 2025

South Africa’s booming Cap Classique category is attracting growing interest from importers, retailers and sommeliers looking for traditional method wines that combine keen pricing with high quality.

Champagne approves Chardonnay Rose as grape variety

Published: 23 October, 2025

The Comité Champagne has announced that Chardonnay Rose has become an authorised grape variety in the famed region. The grape – a natural mutation of Chardonnay Blanc – is the eighth grape variety to be recognised in the Champagne appellation specifications (cahier de charges).

Decoding Champagne’s future fortunes

Published: 17 October, 2025

Over the past 15 years, Champagne’s premium swagger has been tested to the max. In key global markets – not least the UK – retail and on-trade sparkling wine lists have diversified considerably, while consumers are increasingly price sensitive amid the cost-of-living crisis. The result is a complex market evolution for Champagne: one that mixes pain with opportunity.