Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

T.G.I Friday's announces bartender champion

Published: 02 October, 2008

T.G.I Friday's has announced the winner of its Bartender Championship competition which it launched earlier this month with SKYY vodka.

Oddbins to focus more on lesser known wines

Published: 02 October, 2008

By Shirley Webb

Oddbins plans to champion lesser well known wines in a bid to provide a point of difference on the UK high street.

Pancho Campo becomes first Spanish Master of Wine

Published: 02 October, 2008

Pancho Campo, president and founder of The Wine Academy of Spain joins an elite group of 278 Master of Wines (MW) across the globe.

Viña Ventisquero re-launches off-trade wine selection

Published: 01 October, 2008

Leading Chilean winery Viña Ventisquero has relaunched its off-trade focused Yali Winemaker Selection wines to fly the green flag for the company's commitment to environmental practices - a cause it has supported since its inception ten years ago.

Tesco trials in-store virtual wine system

Published: 01 October, 2008

Tesco is planning to introduce a virtual wine technology system in its stores to help customers choose their purchases.

Asda launches beer competition

Published: 01 October, 2008

Breweries across Britain are being given the chance to get their products on Asda's shelves.

Top officers arrested for stealing M&S wine

Published: 01 October, 2008

Two senior police officers have been suspended after being arrested on suspicion of stealing wine from a Marks and Spencer store.

Maxxium puts zing into Sourz campaign

Published: 01 October, 2008

Maxxium UK is launching a major consumer campaign to reposition its Sourz spirit brand following its rebrand and new blackcurrant flavour launched in August.

Co-op appoints two new wine buyers

Published: 30 September, 2008

The Co-op Group has announced the appointment of two new buyers to its wine team.

Fortune Brands announces new chairman

Published: 30 September, 2008

Wine and Spirits distiller Fortune Brands has annouced that CEO Bruce Carbonari will take over as chairman from Norm Wesley when he retires tomorrow.

Australia storms to victory in IWSC competition

Published: 30 September, 2008

Australia took pole position at today's annual International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), scooping a total of 34 awards.

Montana Wines to stage live web TV event

Published: 30 September, 2008

Montana Wines will stage a live web TV event this Thursday.

Russian Standard Vodka partners with Maxim Media

Published: 29 September, 2008

Russian Standard Vodka has announced a multi-million dollar programme with Maxim Media, the largest men's lifestyle media brand in the US.

InBev shareholders approve Anheuser-Busch takeover

Published: 29 September, 2008

InBev shareholders have "overwhelmingly" voted in favour of the brewer's bid to buy out US rival Anheuser-Busch.

Stevens Garnier founder retires

Published: 29 September, 2008

Alastair Stevens, the founder of independent wine shippers Stevens Garnier Limited, is to retire from his role as chief executive after 32 years.

Muslim man sues Tesco over alcohol

Published: 29 September, 2008

A Muslim man is suing Tesco for religious discrimination after he was asked to handle crates of alcohol in a warehouse.

All Bar One launches new beer menu

Published: 26 September, 2008

All Bar One is launching a new beer menu, which will see Belgian brand Duvel Green arrive in the UK for the first time on draught.

Paxton's to launch biodynamic range in UK

Published: 26 September, 2008

Australian winery Paxton will launch a range of seven biodynamic wines to the independent sector this autumn.

S&N UK makes key off-trade marketing appointment

Published: 26 September, 2008

Scottish & Newcastle UK (S&N UK) has promoted its head of category marketing, Shaun Heyes, to the role of head of customer marketing for the off-trade. Heyes will also continue in his role as head of category marketing.