Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Tesco launches autumn wine promotion

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Tesco's autumn wine festival has wine discounts of up to 50%

Leading brands scoop Australian wine awards

Published: 23 July, 2008

Peter Lehmann Wines from the Barossa Valley took home four trophies and 37 medals at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show.

Fortune Brands reports dip in second-quarter results

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fortune Brands, the parent company of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, has reported net income of $232 million (114.18) for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $248m (122.03), in the same period a year ago.

McWilliam's steps in to secure E&T deal

Published: 23 July, 2008

Debt-ridden winery Evans & Tate, which has been subject to a host of investment offers for more than a year, has finally accepted an offer from McWilliam's Wines.

Chilean Wine industry launches a new wine association

Published: 23 July, 2008

The association called Vinos de Chile will unite 95 wineries, representing 95% of the total exported wine market.

IWSC announces Stateside award-winners

Published: 23 July, 2008

The gold medal winners from the USA and Canada at this year's International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) have been announced.

E&J Gallo signs up new Swedish distributer

Published: 23 July, 2008

California-based E&J Gallo signs import and distribution contract with Spendrups Vin.

Jacob's Creek/Gallo lead the way in brand recognition

Published: 23 July, 2008

The two wine brands with the highest level of consumer awareness are Jacob's Creek and E&J Gallo.

Constellation profits dive

Published: 23 July, 2008

Stronger competition in Britain and a drop in wine shipments to US wholesalers have seen US-owned Constellation Brands, the world's largest wine producer, record a 64% fall in its first-quarter profits.

Split decision

Published: 23 July, 2008

It is inconceivable that the Cte d'Or would ever be regarded as a single entity, with no recognition of the differences between a Puligny-Montrachet and a Meursault. Yet, for the Clare Valley in South Australia, this is how it is. Though similar in length to the Cte d'Or, the Clare Valley is lumped into one catch-all appellation. But if you have ever tasted a selection of Rieslings from Polish Hill River, Watervale and Sevenhill this is clearly not one homogeneous zone.

Benchmark wines revealed

Published: 23 July, 2008

This year's selection of Californian Benchmark wines, which will be marketed and promoted to the public and media by the Wine Institute of California, has been selected.

Tour de France

Published: 23 July, 2008

When: Wednesday 14 March, 10am-5.30pm
Where: The Nursery End Pavilion, Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW8
Contact: Tina Coady on 01638 614 775 or register at www.franceunderoneroof.co.uk

California calling

Published: 23 July, 2008

Venue: Royal Horticultural Halls, London
Date: Tuesday 13 March, 10.30am-5.30pm

Phylloxera strikes in New Zealand

Published: 23 July, 2008

A wine estate in Wairarapa has been hit by phylloxera, making it likely that the entire region will become infected.

A flavour of the nation

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Italian Trade Commission (ICE) will hold a UK trade tasting for the first time in eight years on Wednesday. With no generic body, Italian tastings in the UK have focused on single Italian regions that wanted to promote their wines, but now ICE has united more than 60 producers from the north, south and islands. Every producer will send a representative, and there will be a tasting in Dublin two days before the London event.

Nyetimber set for huge expansion

Published: 23 July, 2008

Nyetimber Vineyards, the English sparkling wine company, is considering building a new winery to cope with its heavy planting programme.

San Pedro joins Les Grands Chais

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chilean wine group San Pedro has parted company with Buckingham Vintners, naming Les Grands Chais de France (LGCF) as its new UK distributor. LGCF will now take responsibility for the Chilean brands 35 South and Castillo de Molina, as well as its Argentinian label Finca La Celia.

Fetzer is brand with a conscience'

Published: 23 July, 2008

California producer Fetzer, which regularly highlights its organic and sustainable side, has been named a 2007 Brand With A Conscience.

Sauvignon Blanc wins out over rot

Published: 23 July, 2008

Sauvignon Blanc from Touraine, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fum are undoubtedly the most successful of the 2006 wines from the Loire Valley, combining ripe fruit balanced with acidity.

Kiwi wines bask in critical approval

Published: 23 July, 2008

New Zealand's wines are now up there with the best, according to influential international wine commentators attending a recent run of wine conferences in New Zealand. And there wasn't a Sauvignon Blanc in sight. This wave of what is some of the greatest praise received by the industry was prompted by the Pinot Noir 2007 conference held in Wellington, and the associated symposia on Aromatics in Nelson and Syrah in Hawkes Bay.