Bad weather has hit this year’s Champagne harvest, with yields set to drop around 45%, the trade organisation for the region has said. The Comité Champagne pointed to challenging weather conditions throughout 2021, with a 12-day period of frost at the beginning of the year, hail on several occasions, then persistent rain in spring which encouraged mildew in the vines. “These various hazards have caused big differences…

This year saw the earliest Champagne harvest in the drink’s history. Picking started from August 17, which is earlier than ever before, according to the Comite Champagne. The quality is also said to be good, following the “exceptional pattern” set in 2018 and 2019. The Comite Champagne said a “top-quality harvest” is the first requirement for the production of a Grand Vin, and the weather…

The easing of lockdown rules in the UK – coupled with sunny weather – led to a 86% spike in RTD sales at the end of May, with consumers seeking impulse options for socialising outdoors. Sales of these drinks through the convenience sector grew by 154%. The overall off-trade grew 46% over the same period (the week ending May 30, 2020), according to Nielsen data.

Gusbourne has released its latest vintages of Blanc de Blancs and Brut Reserve. The English wine producer is introducing Blanc de Blancs 2015 and Brut Reserve 2016, which have each been crafted from more than 120 base wines, which were blind tasted over the course of six weeks. The 2015 vintage experienced an early April bud burst that led to a good start in the…

Brits’ surging demand for Aperol has helped supplier Campari enjoy 27.9% UK sales growth during the first nine months of 2019. An Aperol spritz is typically associated with sun-drenched afternoons and the UK has not exactly basked in glorious weather this year. Yet the brand has shrugged off adverse weather conditions to enjoy strong double-digit growth across northern Europe and lead the British arm of…

Diageo has invested in cutting edge outdoor advertising that changes depending on the weather and the time of day. The Posterscope ads cover key brands Gordon’s, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Smirnoff and Smirnoff Cider, which share digital airtime across London. Smirnoff Cider ads will be displayed close parks and retail outlets, with bespoke creative executions served when the weather reaches a certain temperature. A Gordon’s ad…