Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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.

Aussie sparkling House of Arras set for La Place debut

Published: 26 September, 2025

Australia’s most well-known sparkling wine, House of Arras, is set to debut on La Place de Bordeaux. Both the Tasmanian producer’s 2008 Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged and 2015 Arras Grand Vintage are due to join the historic institution.

Booths tasting: Sparkling offer shines ahead of festive fun

Published: 19 September, 2025

Ahead of a busy Christmas period for Booths, the north of England premium supermarket chain showcased its diverse wine offer at its annual portfolio tasting at the Guild of Fine Foods.

F1 partners with Moët Hennessy-backed 0% sparkling French Bloom

Published: 04 September, 2025

French Bloom has been announced as the official non-alcohol sparkling wine of Formula 1. The move comes as a part of the wider partnership between the famed racing series and LVMH.

Top Cava now 100% organic certified

Published: 04 September, 2025

D.O Cava has announced that beginning with the 2022 harvest, all Guarda Superior Cavas (which includes the Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Paraje Calificado categories) have been produced exclusively with grapes from 100% organic certified vineyards.

Black Chalk predicts production could double in boom 2025 harvest

Published: 08 August, 2025

A recent visit to Black Chalk vineyard and winery in Hampshire’s Test Valley highlighted that a bumper harvest could be on the way for the English wine sector.