United Kingdom - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Analysis: English fizz comes of age

Published: 10 May, 2016

English sparkling wine has come of age, with investment, passion and government backing all driving quality.

Q&A: Dermot Sugrue, Wiston Estate

Published: 10 May, 2016

With his Wiston Estate and Sugrue Pierre sparkling wines scooping up accolades and awards, Dermot Sugrue, the Irish-born winemaker is at the forefront of the English fizz scene.

Simpsons Wine Estate awarded government grant ahead of first harvest

Published: 09 May, 2016

Ruth and Charles Simpson, the owners of Simpsons Wine Estates in Kent, were awarded a Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) rant, which is growth programme that provides grant funding to encourage development.

LWF: WSTA's chief warns of uncertainty ahead for trade

Published: 09 May, 2016

At the London Wine Fair 2016 held last week at Kensington Olympia, chief executive officer of the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) warned the trade may face some challenges in the year ahead following the Chief Medical Officer's revised guidelines for alcohol consumption.

Distell looks to increase market share in the UK

Published: 05 May, 2016

South African wine and spirits conglomerate Distell is focusing on expanding its market share in the UK according to Joseph Walsh the commercial director UK & Ireland.

JP Chenet expands into the on-trade with draught partnership

Published: 29 April, 2016

French winemaker JP Chenet is moving into the dispense on-trade market in partnership with Vimto Out Of Home.

Revealed: The ten countries drinking two thirds of the world's wine

Published: 28 April, 2016

Italy, France and Spain continue to dominate in terms of production, but who is drinking the most wine?

Kingsland Drinks unveils "sparkle-up" carbonation line

Published: 28 April, 2016

Kingsland Drinks has unveiled its new carbonation line - a first for a bottler in the UK.

Ridgeview Wine Estate featured on YouTube web series

Published: 26 April, 2016

A premium sparkling winemarker on the South Downs will take centre stage during the fourth instalment of a YouTube film series focusing on craftsmanship.

Value of Côtes du Rhône exports to UK jump 12%

Published: 26 April, 2016

Côtes du Rhône (CDR) wine exports to Britain increased by more than 2% last year, but their value jumped by more than 12% to €82m (£63.5m) suggesting a commercial shift toward the mid-to high-end market is paying off.

Majestic's upgraded to a 'Buy' listing following Naked Wines results

Published: 26 April, 2016

A 'Buy' rating has been set for shares at Majestic Wines, highlighting the potential of Naked Wines acquired by the company last year.

First ever CEO appointed at UKVA

Published: 25 April, 2016

English Wine Shop owner and Amber Valley wine maker, Barry Lewis, has been appointed as the first CEO of the United Kingdom Vineyards Association (UKVA).

English sparkling wine goes head to head with Champagne in Paris

Published: 22 April, 2016

The Wine and Spirits Trade Association put English sparkling wine up against Champagne in a blind tasting in Paris.

Analysis: Are organic and biodynamic wines going mainstream?

Published: 19 April, 2016

Following the positive response over the past two days at the fifth annual Real Wine Fair, Doug Wregg, co-organiser of the event, confidently believes that natural and biodynamic wines are no longer niche products but are increasingly becoming more mainstream.

M&S doubles its range of English wines ahead of English Wine Week

Published: 18 April, 2016

High street stalwart Marks & Spencer will have 20 new English wines on its shelves in time for English Wine Week, boosting its range to a total of 37 wines from 14 counties.

Insights: 'We are at a crossroads' in the UK wine trade, says Fontannaz

Published: 14 April, 2016

Across the supply chain the UK wine trade has been under tremendous pressure, according to Bernard Fontannaz, founder of Origin Wine, and it has got to stop focusing so heavily on price and start communicating better with consumers.

Waitrose adds 12 new English Sparkling wines to range

Published: 11 April, 2016

Waitrose has announced its decision to expand its current range of English and Welsh wine by a quarter.

Benevolent appoints four new trustees to help further engagement with the UK trade

Published: 08 April, 2016

The Benevolent has appointed Diana Hunter of Conviviality Plc, Guy Lawrence of Mast-Jägermeister UK, Rita Greenwood of Wiliam Grant & Sons UK and Simon Difford of Difford's Guide to help further the Drinks Industry Charity to engage with trade.

Q&A: Tim Mondavi, partner, Continuum Estate, Napa Valley

Published: 08 April, 2016

The Mondavi family has a deeply rooted history in the Napa Valley and when they had to sell the publicly controlled business to Constellation Brands in 2004, decided to take some time out to launch Continuum Estate.

Chapel Down's Curious Drinks gains hundreds of new stakeholders and £1.7m investment

Published: 06 April, 2016

Curious Drinks, Chapel Down's wholly owned subsidiary beer and cider business Curious Drinks, has welcomed nearly 900 new stakeholders after raising over £1.7m in a crowdfunding initiative.