Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Three Barrels goes First

Published: 23 July, 2008

First Drinks Brands is bringing the number one off-trade brandy brand, Three Barrels, into its portfolio following the acquisition of Raynal & Cie by William Grant & Sons.

10 International - the recently launched wine agency formed by Bill Rolfe and Toby Hancock - has reached an agreement with Portuguese specialist D&F Wine Shippers to take over their off-trade sales and marketing activity in the UK.

AWBC launches online education initiative

Published: 23 July, 2008

The AWBC is to set up an online education programme on its website, aimed at both the trade and wine consumers.

Argentine showcase

Published: 23 July, 2008

Gaucho Grill's flagship venue in Piccadilly is now fully complete.

No short-term solution to Australian oversupply

Published: 23 July, 2008

The current oversupply of wine in Australia is set to continue until 2010 at the earliest, according to the latest figures.

Ramsay chef to depart Connaught

Published: 23 July, 2008

Angela Hartnett is to leave the Connaught restaurant to head up Gordon Ramsay's new venture in Miami.

Top 25 brands continue to drive the wine market

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the overall off-trade wine market stumbling - posting just 2% growth in the last 12 months - the top 25 branded wines are pulling ahead of the rest of the market, showing 12% volume growth in the last year.

Experience supper with Mondavi

Published: 23 July, 2008

Robert Mondavi is teaming up with some of the UK's best-known chefs to launch a 600,000 marketing campaign.

One-third of Oz wineries predict good growth

Published: 23 July, 2008

More than one-third of Australian wineries polled in a recent survey expect to increase their profitability by 10% or more over the next five years - with only 4% of respondents predicting a decline over the period.

Sutcliffe receives Lgion d'Honneur

Published: 23 July, 2008

Serena Sutcliffe MW, head of Sotheby's International Wine Department, has become the first member of the British wine trade to become a Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de Lgion d'Honneur.

KWV defends empowerment progress after SAWIT pull-out

Published: 23 July, 2008

KWV has denied that the South African Wine Industry Trust's (SAWIT) decision to withdraw its loan of R135 million (10.25 million) to the black empowerment group Phetogo Investments will detrimentally affect KVW's overall black economic empowerment (BEE) strategy.

Alliance adds three more SA wineries

Published: 23 July, 2008

Alliance Wine has announced that it is to become the UK agent for three new South African wineries.

Rare collection goes for more than 250,000

Published: 23 July, 2008

A rare collection of 18th-century first growth Bordeaux and top Burgundy from the renowned cellar of the famous Hostellerie Coq Hardy, near Paris, has been sold by London-based Antique Wine Company.

Real Wine launch

Published: 23 July, 2008

Following a 25-year career buying wine for Safeway, and selling to multiples with a variety of distributors, Mark Hughes has launched The Real Wine Company - a Web-based outlet for small and single-estate producers.

Nyetimber comes out on top for fourth year in row

Published: 23 July, 2008

Nyetimber won the top prize at the 2006 English and Welsh Wine of the Year Awards for the fourth year running and Chapel Down Estate took away five out of the total of 13 trophies, including the Wine Guild Trophy for its 2004 Tenterden Estate Pinot Noir and the McAlpine Winemaker of the Year Trophy for Owen Elias.

Vironneau confirmed at CIVB

Published: 23 July, 2008

The controversial growers leader Alain Vironneau has been named president of the CIVB after an unopposed election.

Ctes du Rhne invests in cricket ground sponsorship

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ctes du Rhne wines will be advertising at cricket grounds this summer. Signage will appear at a number of high-profile matches, which will be televised on Sky, reaching a potential estimated audience of 400,000 to 450,000 viewers.