Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo to build new rum distillery

Published: 23 July, 2008

Drinks company Diageo has made public its intention to build a new rum distillery on the Virgin Island of St. Croix.

Anheuser-Busch loses boardmember

Published: 23 July, 2008

Carlos Fernandez, Grupo Modelo Chairman and CEO Carlos Fernandez, has resigned from the Anheuser-Busch Board.
He announced his decision, effective immediately, at the end of last week (Friday June 20).

Bushmills invests 1.5m in stills equipment

Published: 23 July, 2008

Irish whiskey label Bushmills has invested 1.5 million on refurbishing and expanding its distillery equipment.

Cockburn's launches new website

Published: 23 July, 2008

Beam Global UK is launching its first-ever website for the UK's number one port, Cockburn's, as part of a 2m investment in 2008.

Brit-pop champagne makes UK debut

Published: 23 July, 2008

Pommery has released a special edition Union Jack themed champagne bottle.

Ara leases land to biodiesel New Zealand

Published: 23 July, 2008

Marlborough-based Winegrowers of Ara has leased 760 hectares of its land in New Zealand's South Island to solid energy business, Biodiesel New Zealand.

Rmy Cointreau sees profits increase

Published: 23 July, 2008

French wine and spirits company Rmy Cointreau has seen operating profits increase by 3.8% over the last 12 months.

Beer sales fall to lowest level since 1975

Published: 23 July, 2008

Beer sales have dropped to their lowest levels since 1975, new figures show.

SWA says Scottish alcohol plans are "starting point"

Published: 23 July, 2008

Scottish Government plans to tackle alcohol misuse are a starting point for future debate on how to change the drinking culture in Scotland, The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced.

Alsace wine sales hit 149.7m bottles

Published: 23 July, 2008

In 2007, sales of Alsace wines, all AOCs combined, reached 1 122 570 hl (149.7 million bottles).

PLB strengthens beer division with new roles

Published: 23 July, 2008

PLB Group Ltd, one of the largest independent importers and distributors of beer and wine, has expanded its Beer Division with the creation of two new roles designed to aid the company's move into the branded product arena in both the On and Off-Trade.

Connaught installs new 7,250 bottle capacity wine cellar

Published: 23 July, 2008

London's Connaught Hotel has installed a brand new 7,250 bottle capacity wine cellar as part of a 1 million expansion of its Mayfair address.

Robotic barman serves beer at Selfridges

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Robotic barman - known as Mr Asahi - can serve ice-cold beer as draught pints, half pints and de-cap bottles of beer.

UB Group wins US patent to market diet whisky and vodka

Published: 23 July, 2008

Vijay Mallya said at the London Business School (LBS) that his research centre in Bangalore has managed to convert the active ingredient found in an Indian fruit believed to fight obesity into liquid form.

Absolut Machines campaign wins Cannes award

Published: 23 July, 2008

Last night (June 18), Absolut and its Absolut Machines campaign were awarded the gold prize at the 55th International Cannes Lions Advertising Festival.