The world's largest wine producer, Constellation Brands, increased its earnings in the three months to the end of May by 13%, which was more than analysts expected. Net sales were up 5% to $1.2bn, a record for the group in the first quarter of its financial year, which did not include a contribution from Vincor, the Canadian group purchased by Constellation earlier this year.
Read more...As high alcohol levels are becoming more and more contentious in the industry, the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) has pulled together a panel to discuss and debate this topic as a precursor to its annual showcase tasting.
Read more...by Dawn Cran
Industry-funded sensible drinking advocate The Portman Group is stepping back from consumer communication following the signing of an historic' agreement for the formation of a new self-governing trust to be regulated by both industry and non-industry experts.
The leading alcoholic drinks brands may have retained their positions in the market but this AC Nielsen results show that the UK take-home drinks trade is currently going through some subtle, but surprising changes.
Read more...Strong sales of brands such as Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff will be the main factors in generating organic revenue growth of 6.5% for Diageo in the year to the end of June.
Read more...Prestonfield
Priestfield Road
Edinburgh EH16 5UT
Tel: 0131 662 2305
www.prestonfield.com
John Power began his career at the five-star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, where he trained as a sommelier before moving to the Witchery by the Castle in 1998. Earlier this year he took on the new role of central wine buyer for all of James Thompson's Edinburgh restaurants, including the Witchery by the Castle, Tower restaurant in the Museum of Scotland and Rhubarb at the five-star Prestonfield hotel, where he is now based.
Key suppliers: Raeburn Fine Wine, Cheviot Wine, Corney & Barrow, Justerini & Brooks, Fine & Rare Wines.
Camus has launched what it believes is the first-ever range of Cognacs bottled under screwcap.
Read more...The Wine Standards Board (WSB) ceased to exist on 30 June after 33 years. Responsibility for wine inspection and the implementation of the European Union (EU) wine regulations in the UK has passed to the Food Standards Board (FSA).
Read more...Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum has expanded its international division.
Read more...The outgoing chairman of the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation (AWBC) has claimed that the country's wine industry will see an upturn.
Read more...Mentzendorff have been appointed agents for Spanish winery Bodegas Roda. It is the first time that the winery has been represented in the UK by an agent, and Mentzendorff MD Andrew Hawes said: This is a great opportunity for their wines to become known to a wider audience.'
Roda's wines are Roda I, Roda II (to be renamed just Roda after the '02 vintage), and the award-winning Cirsion.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on the Government to exempt trade education courses from the Licensing Act 2003.
Read more...Two Australian wineries and one French facility will be sold by the Foster's Group as it consolidates its winemaking sites.
BY JACK HIBBERD
The European Commission's proposals for reforming the European wine regime would open the door for cross-country EU super-blends - with vintage and variety allowed on the label.
Amid all the crisis talk about wine lakes and enforced distillation comes the news that Italy's wine exports are in unexpectedly rosy health. Comparing the first quarter of 2006 with the same period in 2005, the official Italian statistics institute, ISTAT, has revealed that sales abroad have increased 17% by volume and 9% in value.
Read more...BY RICHARD WOODARD
Port shipper Barros Almeida and Kopke has been bought by Sogevinus - the drinks arm of Spanish bank Caixanova - in a deal that makes Sogevinus the fifth-biggest producer in the Douro Valley.
Ren Renou, president of the Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (INAO), died on Sunday 18 June.
Read more...How have you got your head around so many different saks?
When I first arrived I was a bit scared, to be honest. I knew as much about sak as most Europeans do: absolutely nothing. There is a perception that saks are really alcoholic, or that they all taste the same, but this is complete rubbish, you can find many different sorts of sak. For eaxample, Mukantei Ginjo from Kikusui brewery is more about high acidity and freshness to go with sushi. However, if you are eating toro, the fatty belly of the tuna, you need a sak with texture to fight it, such as Momo Shizuku, from the Matsumoto brewery.
The chairman of the body charged with spearheading black economic empowerment in the South African wine industry has resigned to concentrate on his business consultancy.
Read more...BY JACK HIBBERD
Wines of South Africa (WOSA) has launched its first full-scale consumer campaign based around the diversity message it launched to the trade last year. The major focus for the campaign is a 170,000 advertising campaign on the London Tube network, which started last week and will run up to 2 July.
