Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Sales drop at Fortune Brands

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fortune Brands has seen net sales drop by 5% in the first quarter with its spirits portfolio hampered by distributor inventories.

Champagne sponsors secured for UK Sommelier awards

Published: 23 July, 2008

Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck and Charles Heidsieck have been announced as the new sponsors of the UK Sommelier of the Year Competition.

Orbital marketing manager launches off trade agency

Published: 23 July, 2008

Catherine Monahan, the former marketing and sales manager at Orbital Wines, has launched her own agency focussing on the off trade sector.

Vernay made wine expert 2008 by Grand Jury

Published: 23 July, 2008

Christine Vernay from the George Vernay Estate has been awarded Expert of the Year 2008 in Wine and Winemaking.

Army bunker hosts Hong Kong wine auction

Published: 23 July, 2008

The first fine wine auction in Hong Kong for the last decade will take place in an underground army bunker.

1811 Chateau d'Yquem sells for 37,900

Published: 23 July, 2008

A rare bottle of 1811 Chateau d'Yquem has been sold by a London wine merchant for 37,900.

Underage drinking blamed on parents, ACS poll shows

Published: 23 July, 2008

Parents and the police - not shops and supermarkets - are chiefly responsible for under-age drinking, according to a new poll carried out for the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

Scottish distillery visited by Polish TV station

Published: 23 July, 2008

An East Kilbride whisky has recently been visited by a Polish TV crew.

Sainsbury's uses Top 10' to sell more wine

Published: 23 July, 2008

Sainsbury's has introduced a Top 10 display in its wine aisles to help increase product sales.

Polmassick Vineyard's George Musgrave dies

Published: 23 July, 2008

George Musgrave, the owner of Polmassick Vineyard in St Ewe, Cornwall, has died in a tragic accident.

Shoppers shun cards for cash payments

Published: 23 July, 2008

Retailers are seeing greater numbers of shoppers opt for cash when making purchases, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has claimed.

Billionaire spends 250,000 on 27 bottles of Burgundy

Published: 23 July, 2008

A Chinese billionaire has spent a quarter of a million pounds on 27 bottles of fine red wine, one auction house has announced.

Smirnoff ranks as top global spirits brand

Published: 23 July, 2008

Smirnoff is the top global spirits label, according to an annual brand status study.

New Mont Tauch visitor centre targets wine tourism

Published: 23 July, 2008

French cooperative Mont Tauch has announced it will open its new visitor centre in July 2008.

WHO resolution on reducing alcohol harm: Overview

Published: 23 July, 2008

The World Health Organisation has released its draft resolution on alcohol harm reduction for adoption in May.

Trade hits back at calls for higher alcohol tax

Published: 23 July, 2008

Wine and spirits producers have hit out at reports that experts at the World Health Organisation are calling for higher taxes on alcohol and more regulations on its sale.

Tesco enjoys 12% profits increase

Published: 23 July, 2008

Tesco's profits rose by nearly 12% in the year to 23 February 2008, the company announced this morning.

Rmy Cointreau profits driven by champagne sales

Published: 23 July, 2008

Champagne sales at French drinks firm Rmy Cointreau helped to drive annual turnover up to 817.8 million (657.7m).

Jade Jagger designs bejewelled vodka ice pick

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jade Jagger has paired with Belvedere Vodka to design an exclusive ice dagger worth 126,500.

UK health and trade bodies join forces to curb alcohol abuse in Europe

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Royal College of Physicians and the British Beer and Pub Association are among nearly 50 businesses, trade bodies and health organisations that have committed to curbing alcohol abuse across Europe