United Kingdom - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

A model UK winery

Published: 13 April, 2022

Cast your mind back, if you can, to the pre-pandemic rush of grape plantings that boosted English wine coverage before 2020.

Chapel Down announces new cricket partnership

Published: 06 April, 2022

UK wine brand Chapel Down has been welcomed into the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as its official sparkling wine.

Five minutes with Alex Hurley, London Cru

Published: 05 April, 2022

Jo Gilbert talks to the English wine innovator about how the past two years have helped to super-charge the category via London Cru, the Roberson Wines-owned urban winery.

Less choice and higher prices from new import checks, says Daniel Lambert

Published: 01 April, 2022

Yesterday, the cross-party, cross-business UK Trade and Business Commission heard that post-Brexit import checks would create less choice and higher prices for UK wine consumers.

Balfour Winery to develop boutique wine hotel in Kent

Published: 28 March, 2022

Maidstone Borough Council has accepted Balfour Winery entrepreneur Richard Balfour-Lynn’s proposal to develop plans to create a boutique wine hotel in the Archbishop’s Palace, Maidstone, Kent.

Holly Ninnes to head up wine division at St Austell

Published: 07 March, 2022

St Austell Brewery, the South West family-owned brewery and pub company – and independent owner of over 180 pubs, inns, and hotels – has appointed Holly Ninnes as its new head of wine.

Van Wyk Family Wines joins the Bancroft Portfolio

Published: 01 March, 2022

The UK based importer, Bancroft Wines, has added the Van Wyk Family Vineyards to its South African portfolio.

New Zealand trade deal could mean cheaper wine for UK shoppers

Published: 01 March, 2022

The UK has signed a far-reaching trade deal with New Zealand to remove trade barriers on many UK goods and services and provide new opportunities for British businesses.

Tempus Two announces first-ever UK partnership

Published: 28 February, 2022

Tempus Two has today announced its first-ever partnership in the UK with leading entertainment company Secret Cinema for an upcoming immersive experience.

Jack Rabbit launches new app for its Wine Club

Published: 28 February, 2022

Jack Rabbit, the UK’s number one on-trade wine brand, is launching a new mobile app for its Wine Club, allowing members to engage with the brand and redeem reward points digitally.

How climate change will impact England's vineyards

Published: 24 February, 2022

In the wine world, we can see the consequences of global warming very clearly – from overly ripe grapes to destroyed harvests – vineyards all over the world are experiencing disruption.

Naked Wines to reduce weight of 3.5 million bottles

Published: 24 February, 2022

For Naked Wines, lighter bottles are greener bottles as the online retailer looks to reduce its carbon footprint.

Nyetimber announces record year as estate leads the way for English sparkling

Published: 14 February, 2022

The UK’s leading English sparkling wine brand, Nyetimber, enjoyed a record year in 2021 in both sales and production. Following its largest ever harvest, Nyetimber’s UK sales increased by 55% on the previous year. Situated in the south of England, the 30-year-old winemakers saw sales in Europe grow by a whopping 89%.

Cotswolds Distillery announces plans for 'major expansion'

Published: 01 February, 2022

Leading craft spirit producer Cotswolds Distillery has unveiled plans to construct a new dedicated distillery for its whisky, allowing the firm to dramatically increase production.

Bancroft welcomes new English wine agency

Published: 18 January, 2022

UK distributor Bancroft has expanded its English wine portfolio with the addition of Lyme Bay Winery.

English sparkling wine brand achieves 'B Corporation' certification

Published: 06 January, 2022

A niche sparkling wine brand, The Uncommon, has become the first UK wine business to be certified as B Corp.

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.

Plumpton launches scientific sensory courses to meet demand

Published: 12 November, 2021

Plumpton Wine Division is rolling out two scientific wine sensory training courses as part of its WineSkills Program in response to customer demand.

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.

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.