Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Thieves steal container of Laurent-Perrier

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Police are urging the wine trade to be extremely vigilant following the theft of a container of Laurent-Perrier Cuve Ros Brut early this week.

Rapper Sean Diddy Combs to market Diageo vodka brand

Published: 23 July, 2008

US rapper Sean Diddy Combs could net more than $100million (49m) after agreeing a deal with Diageo that will see him market the drinks company's US vodka brand.

Imports of Chilean wines set to overtake South Africa?

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chile has recorded a 26% rise in sales by volume and 23% by value in the past twelve months and looks likely to become the fifth biggest importer into the UK by overtaking South Africa.

New Zealand merchant finalist announced

Published: 23 July, 2008

The finalists in this year's New Zealand Winegrowers Independent Wine Merchant promotion have been announced with the overall winner to be named at an awards luncheon in London next week.

Bordeaux harvest: day 20

Published: 23 July, 2008

The end of the picking is in sight for the Bordelais, but will good autumn weather make up for a dire summer?

Bordeaux wine exports up

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bordeaux export drive promised after small sales rise

Bordeaux Wine Bureau's US push

Published: 23 July, 2008

US blind tasting flags up Bordeaux wines

Sales record predicted for NZ wine exports

Published: 23 July, 2008

New Zealand wine exporters are predicting earnings of over $1m (3.68m) in three years.

Beam Global to push Canadian Club Whisky

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: Beam Global Spirits & Wine has unveiled its first national advertising campaign in the US for Canadian Club Whisky brand in nearly 20 years.

Oregon changes strict wine laws

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oregon's Winegrowers Association (OWA) has claimed victory after petitioning its ruling body to relax its tough varietal laws.

Scotland launches its first ever Alcohol Awareness Week

Published: 23 July, 2008

Retailers, producers, and the Scottish Government are launching a range of activities this week (October 21-27) in a bid to promote more responsible attitudes to alcohol.

Scientists identify alcohol damage gene

Published: 23 July, 2008

Researchers have discovered a gene that makes some people more prone to alcohol damage than others.

Aspall has announced plans to double the size of of its cider and vinegar business over the next five years.

The move will see the family-owned business redevelop its Debenham production site in Suffolk by tripling the speed of its bottling lines and increasing storage capacity for its premium range of ciders and vinegars.

Threshers sells off 45 stores

Published: 23 July, 2008

Drinks retailer Thresher has put 45 of its stores up for sale.

MPs and health bodies form anti-drinks lobby

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Leading health organisations are joining together to counter the influence of the drinks trade on government and to push for measures to curb binge drinking.

Bordeaux harvest: day 13

Published: 23 July, 2008

With picking finished, Alexandra Martet at Chateau Lavison in Entre-Deux-Mers has now moved into the winery.

Hennessy to auction Cognac Mathusalem

Published: 23 July, 2008

IRELAND: Hennessy to fly-in the world's first-ever Cognac Mathusalem to be auctioned at Roberto De Niro's Nobu restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin.

Record number of visitors attend WoSA

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Record numbers of visitors attended Wines of South Africa's (WoSA) Mega tasting on October 8-9.

Health group campaigns for ban on cheap supermarket deals

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) said banning cheap supermarket deals would help cut excessive drinking in Scotland

Choppers fight frost in New Zealand

Published: 23 July, 2008

New Zealand: 100 helicopters flew frost protection missions in the Marlborough's grape country on Thursday night in what wine growers say was one of the toughest frosts they have faced.