Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Upmarket Champagne bucks downward sales trend

Published: 27 November, 2017

The Great British love affair with Champagne has been waning – except at the premium end. James Lawrence reports

Extremadura Cava producers challenge Catalonia in fight for further planting rights

Published: 22 November, 2017

Cava producers in Extremadura, South West Spain, are fighting a move from the Spanish government to ban further plantings of Cava grapes until beyond 2020.

Cava de Paraje ambitions announced with lofty London launch

Published: 21 November, 2017

The apex of The City’s Gherkin building provided a suitably swish setting for the UK launch of the new Cava de Paraje Calificado on Monday, signalling the quality-focused ambition of Penedes leading sparkling winemakers.

Prosecco DOC gears up for approval of new ‘Brutnature’ description

Published: 17 November, 2017

The Prosecco DOC Consortium has revealed it is hoping to get approval for the use of a new Prosecco description - Brutnature, on labels in 2018.

Ridgeview heralds non-vintage move as it appoints youngest winemaker

Published: 11 November, 2017

Ridgeview Wine Estate has appointed its youngest winemaker to date, Rory Loftus aged 23, as assistant head winemaker amid a key transitional change of its vintage wines to non-vintage.

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.

Bolney bolsters sparkling wine menu with new duo

Published: 26 October, 2017

Bolney Wine Estate has bolstered its sparkling wine portfolio with two new varieties as home-grown fizz continues to gain traction.

Litmus Wines expands international trail for Ginking

Published: 26 October, 2017

Litmus Wines has expanded the international reach of its hybrid wine and gin Ginking brand to Switzerland just a year after launch.

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.

Hattingley and MWs Susie Barrie and Peter Richards launch English wine initiative

Published: 02 October, 2017

Hattingley Valley has joined forces with TV presenters Susie Barrie MW and Peter Richards MW to launch a charity-focused English wine initiative.

Moët & Chandon appoints Jason Atherton as UK brand ambassador

Published: 26 September, 2017

Moët & Chandon has appointed Michelin star chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton as its UK brand ambassador for the next two years.

Wine Source UK adds Champagne Gosset to its portfolio

Published: 15 August, 2017

Wine Source UK has added Champagne Gosset to its portfolio.

Naked Wines reveals £1m investment into English wine as sales surge

Published: 09 August, 2017

Naked Wines has reported a 16% volume increase in annual sales of its English wines (to July 2017), driven by the seemingly unquenchably thirst for home-grown bubbles.

Fuller’s champions English fizz in own pubs

Published: 08 August, 2017

Fuller’s has replaced its Champagne house pour with English sparkling wine throughout its own pubs following a ‘highly successful’ trial.

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.

English wine sales boom at Jascots

Published: 13 July, 2017

Jascots Wine Merchants has reported a 171% volume hike in its English wine sales.

Mannings Heath owner plans to create new West Sussex vineyard

Published: 13 July, 2017

The owner of Mannings Heath Golf Course & Wine Estate, Penny Streeter OBE, has expanded her West Sussex footprint with the acquisition of Leonardslee estate at Lower Beeding, near Horsham, for an undisclosed sum.

Bolney becomes first English magnum to be sold in John Lewis

Published: 06 July, 2017

Bolney Wine Estate has secured a listing with John Lewis for its Blanc de Blancs 2011 (75cl), Blanc de Blancs 2010 (150cl) and the Cuvée Rosé 2014, making it the first English magnum available from the department store.