Champagne and Sparkling - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sparkling wine delivered bumper Christmas sales

Published: 06 January, 2022

The sparkling wine category was the clear winner of the Christmas retail bonanza, with both merchants and analysts reporting bumper sales.

New Generation adds Champagne Carbon to its portfolio

Published: 04 January, 2022

Wine importer and wholesaler New Generation has become the exclusive agents of Champagne Carbon, a niche brand created by Alexandre Méa.

Freixenet delivers record Cava sales

Published: 21 December, 2021

Spanish giant Freixenet has posted record Cava sales in 2021, retailing more than 100 million bottles worldwide for the first time ever in the firm's 150-year history.

Chapel Down makes changes to executive leadership team

Published: 01 December, 2021

Chapel Down, the Kent-based English wine producer, has announced further changes to its senior team which it said would make further strides towards its vision to be the “number one and most celebrated English winemaker”.

Friday read: Prosecco DOC Rosé's future prospects

Published: 26 November, 2021

After years of intense lobbying by producers, the Prosecco Consortium finally allowed blended sparkling wine styles to be bottled under the 'Prosecco DOC Rosé' designation in 2020. Exports began in November last year, although there have been reports of a Pinot Noir shortage in 2021. Nevertheless, the category has got off to a flying start, with buoyant sales and an enthusiastic consumer reception. But how sustainable is this growth, and will it affect sales of 'ordinary' Prosecco?

English sparkling triumphs at Vivino Community Awards

Published: 17 November, 2021

Vivino’s 2021 Community Awards has revealed some fascinating insights into the preferences of consumers worldwide, including the enormous popularity of English fizz in the UK.

English fizz's bawdy move

Published: 17 November, 2021

A month or so ago, I attended two eye-catching, if very different, launches. Both were from Bibendum Wine: the UK debut of former Dom Pérignon chef de cave Richard Geoffroy’s sake; and an unorthodox new English sparkling wine, with the charming name Harlot.

Campari Group UK to distribute Champagne Lallier

Published: 12 November, 2021

Campari Group UK is to take over the distribution of Champagne Lallier within the London M25 area, in a phased approach with current distributor, Boutinot wines.

English and welsh producers celebrate end to sparkling ‘Super tax’

Published: 27 October, 2021

The news that the duty premium on sparkling wine being sold in the UK has been removed has been met with encouragement from the English and Welsh wine sector.

Sparkling wine premium could be scrapped in alcohol duty overhaul

Published: 19 October, 2021

Reports from the national press suggest that the premium on sparkling wine duty could be scrapped by chancellor Rishi Sunak in the upcoming Autumn Budget in a move which could bring sparkling wine duty in line with still.

Q&A: Laurent Fresnet Cellar Master, Mumm

Published: 18 October, 2021

In partnership with Champagne Mumm

New double bill sparkling launch for Graham Beck

Published: 11 October, 2021

South Africa’s leading sparkling wine brand in the UK market Graham Beck has launched a new ‘double bill’ named Yin & Yang, as part of its artisan collection.

Prestige fizz holds its own

Published: 04 October, 2021

Covid may have zapped the fizz out of celebratory occasions, but top Champagne sales are bouncing back. David Kermode reports

Yapp Brothers adds English sparkling wine brand to its portfolio

Published: 21 September, 2021

Busi Jacobsohn, a sparkling wine producer based in east Sussex, has become the newest agency in the Yapp Bros portfolio.

English wine pushing for success

Published: 20 September, 2021

The pandemic has been a catalyst for sales of English and Welsh wine at home and abroad, accelerating a sector that was already on its way to great things. How to keep up momentum is the question, writes Jo Gilbert.

Champagne sets an available yield of 10,000kg of grapes per ha

Published: 26 July, 2021

The Comité Champagne’s executive board has decreed an available yield of 10,000kg of grapes per hectare (ha) for this year’s harvest.

Martini on track to become certified sustainable

Published: 19 July, 2021

Martini has announced that all its Asti grape suppliers are on track to becoming certified sustainable in 2021.

Chapel Down raises 90% of funding goal

Published: 28 June, 2021

Chapel Down has raised more than 90%, or £6.3m, of its funding goal in just over three weeks, with more than 3,600 investors joining it so far.

English Wine Week anticipation ramps up with Hattingley limited run

Published: 17 June, 2021

Hattingley Valley has announced the release of two new small batch wines in celebration of English Wine Week (EWW) – just one of many celebrations and promotional activities which are due to begin this Saturday.

Les Riceys Champagne growers launch UK campaign

Published: 16 June, 2021

A group of récoltant-manipulant producers from Les Riceys in Champagne have come together to market and promote their appellation and wines in the UK.