Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Pernod shares drop 4% after results

Published: 23 July, 2008

Pernod Ricard's half-year results disappointed investors and the group's shares fell by 4.6% on the day of the announcement.

Portugal's Seal of Merit

Published: 23 July, 2008

Eight Portuguese wines exported to the UK will soon feature a special Seal of Merit in an effort to make them more consumer friendly.

Most wine lovers and industry professionals will have little difficulty naming their favourite restaurants and wine lists, but ask them to say what makes a good wine list and you'll find widely differing views.

Split decision

Published: 23 July, 2008

It is inconceivable that the Cte d'Or would ever be regarded as a single entity, with no recognition of the differences between a Puligny-Montrachet and a Meursault. Yet, for the Clare Valley in South Australia, this is how it is. Though similar in length to the Cte d'Or, the Clare Valley is lumped into one catch-all appellation. But if you have ever tasted a selection of Rieslings from Polish Hill River, Watervale and Sevenhill this is clearly not one homogeneous zone.

Forbes praises inaugural Argentina Wine Awards

Published: 23 July, 2008

The entries at the inaugural Wines of Argentina awards have been dubbed difficult to beat'.

Forbes praises inaugural Argentina Wine Awards

Published: 23 July, 2008

The entries at the inaugural Wines of Argentina awards have been dubbed difficult to beat'.

Bacardi loses out in Havana Club court fight

Published: 23 July, 2008

A Madrid court has rejected Bacardi's claim to the Havana Club trademark which is owned by rival Pernod Ricard.

Rhne scrums down for 2007

Published: 23 July, 2008

Inter Rhne is pinning its hopes on rugby and radio to keep its position as the number-one French AOC in the UK off-trade.

Benchmark wines revealed

Published: 23 July, 2008

This year's selection of Californian Benchmark wines, which will be marketed and promoted to the public and media by the Wine Institute of California, has been selected.

Gallo founder dies aged 97

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ernest Gallo, who with the help of his brother Julio created one of the biggest wine empires in the world, has died aged 97 at his home in Modesto, California.

Ernest Gallo dies aged 97

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ernest Gallo, who created one of the biggest wine empires in the world with the help of his brother Julio, has died aged 97 at his home in Modesto, California.

Huge losses fail to deter Yarraman from acquisition

Published: 23 July, 2008

Margaret River winery Evans & Tate has lost nearly A$80 million (32.2m) in the past 18 months, as it unveiled half-yearly figures that again show a deficit.

Green' distillery for Islay

Published: 23 July, 2008

Islay whisky producer Bruichladdich has announced that it plans to rebuild the Port Charlotte distillery, and make it environmentally friendly.

[i]Harpers[/i] wins BOB pub quiz

Published: 23 July, 2008

Harpers fought off competition from 15 other teams - and displayed its knowledge of Winnie the Pooh, nephritis and The Verve - to triumph at the Buddies of the Benevolent (BOB) pub quiz, which took place at The White Horse in Parsons Green, London, last week.

India keeps tariff reforms at bay

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Indian government has resisted pressure from the EU and World Trade Organisation (WTO) to reform discriminatory tariffs on wines and spirits.

Rioja shipments to UK hit all-time high

Published: 23 July, 2008

Rioja shipments to the UK reached a record high of 22.9 million litres last year, a growth of 19% on 2005.

Bacardi considers bid for V&S

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bacardi, the maker of the world's leading rum brand, has contacted the Swedish government, saying it wants to buy Vin & Sprit (V&S), the owner of Absolut vodka.

Classification row rages in St Emilion

Published: 23 July, 2008

The owner of St Emilion property Grand Corbin-Despagne has slammed the three chteaux in the region that have challenged last year's classification following their demoted status.