Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

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.

Record exports for France

Published: 23 July, 2008

French wine and spirit exports hit an all-time high in 2006. According to the Fdration des Exportateurs de Vins et de Spiriteux de France (FEVS), exports were up 12.9% in 2006, representing a total value of 8.74 billion.

New direction for United Brands

Published: 23 July, 2008

United Brands is under new management, and major changes have already been made.

Mdoc chteaux part company with Rolland

Published: 23 July, 2008

Michel Rolland is giving up his consulting work on 15 Mdoc and Graves properties as the left bank pushes for a more recognisable, Cabernet-focused style. Chteaux Kirwan in Margaux and de Fieuzal in Graves are among those that Rolland is leaving, but he will remain at Malescot, despite reports to the contrary. Rolland also wished to make it clear that he has never been associated with Chteau Branaire.

New 8.5% abv wine set for pubs

Published: 23 July, 2008

A new wine brand with an alcohol level of 8.5% by volume is to hit pubs in mid-April, and is likely to herald the emergence of a mid-strength wine category in the UK.

Watchdog looks at rapid drinking'

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Portman Group, the marketing watchdog of the drinks industry, has questioned whether the promotion of shooter' and slammer' shots should be curbed, as it prepares to publish its latest Code of Practice.

Constellation fears trouble ahead for 2008

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Brands, the world's biggest wine producer, has warned investors net sales could fall by up to 14% in the next financial year as it continues to be hit by a combination of the glut of wine in Australia and intensifying private label competition in the UK.

Diageo shares up despite UK slump

Published: 23 July, 2008

Diageo's shares have risen by 23% in the past year and its figures for the half-year to 31 December show why.

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.

Bordeaux bucks UK trend with 7% sales increase

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bordeaux sales in the UK were up 6% by volume and 7% by value in 2006, following a poor performance in the previous year.

EU grubbing-up plan rejected four to one

Published: 23 July, 2008

European parliamentarians have voted 484 to 129 against Commission grubbing-up proposals, showing the strength of feeling against reducing the size of the European vineyard.

Grahm to focus on aromatics

Published: 23 July, 2008

Randall Grahm of California producer Bonny Doon is to start producing Grner Veltliner, Chenin Blanc and Riesling in large quantities from next year.

Drinkaware Trust board announced

Published: 23 July, 2008

The new Drinkaware Trust has named its first-ever board of trustees. The charity's 10 voluntary trustees will be responsible for creating a programme to tackle alcohol harm and promote responsible drinking in the UK.

Yalumba picks Rose as chief winemaker

Published: 23 July, 2008

Award-winning winemaker Louisa Rose is the new chief winemaker at Yalumba, Australia's oldest family-owned winery, based in the Barossa. She was quietly' appointed on 1 December, taking over from Alan Hoey, who has been made manager of wineries and operations.

California crop down by 20%

Published: 23 July, 2008

California's crop last year was 20% down on 2005, preliminary figures showed, calming fears of another grape glut.

South Africa growers face up to oversupply

Published: 23 July, 2008

Growers in South Africa are being paid not to harvest grapes, while others are selling up their farms as severe oversupply hits the industry.

New 80m distillery for Speyside

Published: 23 July, 2008

Diageo has announced plans to invest 100 million to increase its production of Scotch whisky.

Maurice de Rohan remembered

Published: 23 July, 2008

Friends, relatives and colleagues of Maurice de Rohan AO OBE, the agent-general of South Australia, gathered in London last week to toast his memory over a glass of his beloved SA red.

Beam bucks trend of declining spirits

Published: 23 July, 2008

Beam Global, whose brands include Courvoisier Cognac, Harveys Sherry and Cockburn's Port, has reported growth of more than 10% by value, despite almost every category being in decline in the UK.