Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Family of wine producers completes fundraising tour

Published: 23 July, 2008

The 11 members of Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) recently completed a tour of Singapore and Mumbai, raising more than US$65,000 (33,000) for charities in both countries.

Inter-Rhne manager quits

Published: 23 July, 2008

Franois Drounau, the export manager of generic body Inter-Rhne, is leaving the organisation to work for Pernod Ricard.

News analysis: Victoria is not amused

Published: 23 July, 2008

It's hardly something to boast about, but the state of Victoria is Australia's phylloxera capital.

Limited-edition drams

Published: 23 July, 2008

Proud Scots Ranald Macdonald of the celebrated Boisdale restaurants in London and Berry Bros & Rudd spirits buyer Doug McIvor have developed a new range of malt whiskies.

Hine is releasing its 1957 vintage - a Jarnac-matured Grande Champagne Cognac. Only five casks were laid down to mature, and director and cellarmaster Bernard Hine describes the 1957 vintage as an exceptional year, with a perfect balance between floral and fruit hints'.

Research reveals price variation in restaurants

Published: 23 July, 2008

Research commissioned by Wine+, the new on-trade wine show, and undertaken by Wine Intelligence in more than 20 white table-cloth restaurants in London has revealed gross variations in wine prices in restaurants.

Changes at Jackson Wine Estates International

Published: 23 July, 2008

In response to Jackson Wine Estates International's recent appointment of J E Fells & Sons as its UK agent, James Tookey, formerly in charge of European sales, has been appointed UK Sales Manager, and will manage the relationship with Fells.

Italians stuck with five million bottles over name debate

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Nicolas Belfrage MW & Franco Ziliani

Readers of these pages will recall how a few months ago we reported that the EU Commission had ruled that no member nation could use the name Tokay', or soundalikes, for wine except the Hungarians, giving several years' notice before putting the ruling into effect.

Moves at Laurent-Perrier UK

Published: 23 July, 2008

Laurent-Perrier has appointed Steve Brandwood to the newly created position of UK sales director, responsible for sales of Laurent-Perrier, Marqus de Riscal, Trinity Hill and Thorn-Clark to all UK trade sectors.

Laurent-Perrier stolen

Published: 23 July, 2008

A lorry containing duo-packs of Laurent-Perrier Brut NV Champagne was stolen on 2 January from a haulier in east London.

Familia Zuccardi wins top award

Published: 23 July, 2008

Argentine wine producer and exporter Familia Zuccardi has been awarded the Best Winery Award in the annual Agricultural Excellence Awards given by the national newspapers La Nacion and Galicia Bank.

Hugh Johnson awarded OBE

Published: 23 July, 2008

Author and wine writer Hugh Johnson has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Rmy chief denies sale rumour

Published: 23 July, 2008

Dominique Hriard-Dubreuil, the chairman of Rmy Cointreau, has sought to reduce speculation that the French spirits and Champagne company might be sold.

McGuigan Simeon moves to Waverley

Published: 23 July, 2008

Distribution for Australian producer McGuigan Simeon Wines has moved to WaverleyTBS, ending a 14-year partnership with Vinoceros.

Poor results for Constellation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Brands, which claims to be the world's largest producer of branded wines, has blamed poor performance in the UK for its disappointing third-quarter financial results.

And, finally...

Published: 23 July, 2008

Police in the Chinese capital, Beijing, put a stop to a winemaker's planned mass nude run' on Christmas Eve.

Retailers see strong Christmas trading

Published: 23 July, 2008

By EUNICE MURRISON

Wine retailers across the UK enjoyed a healthy Christmas trading period. Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) and Lay & Wheeler both saw double-digit year-on-year growth, while Majestic's like-for-like sales rose by 4.4%.