Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Jackson Family buys Murphy-Goode

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jackson Family Wines - the producer of the Kendall-Jackson brand - has bought the Murphy-Goode Estate Winery for an undisclosed sum. The Murphy family will retain its vineyard holdings.

Georges Duboeuf moves into new era

Published: 23 July, 2008

BY JACK HIBBERD
Beaujolais's most famous son, Georges Duboeuf of the eponymous wine company, had reason for triple celebration last week: the success of the perfect' 2005 vintage; the near-end of the long-running wine scandal'; and the launch of his first varietal Gamay.

Anheuser-Busch to look outside beer

Published: 23 July, 2008

BY RON EMLER
America's largest brewer is moving closer to greater involvement in the wine and spirit sectors.

Ian Dunkerley, chef/proprietor, Dunkerleys

Published: 23 July, 2008

How did you get started?
I was born in Ashford (Kent) but then
we moved to Cyprus, because my father worked with the army. He became ill and died, so we returned initially to Deal but then moved to Ashford. It was full of London overspill so it was a tough environment. To keep out of trouble, I did two paper rounds, worked in a sweet shop and in a fish and chip shop - I used to have a barrow at Ashford station and served Bill Deedes (the Conservative MP and former editor of the Daily Telegraph).

ITALY: Islandfever

Published: 23 July, 2008

Sicily is technically a region of Italy, but really it stands alone. The island has been invaded by so many cultures over the years - Asians, African, Europeans - that it has its own brand of cosmopolitan charm that transcends the Italian canopy.
As a community, Sicily is virtually self-sufficient, and its main income has traditionally been agricultural exports. Dramatic mountain ranges slice through much of the landscape, with Mount Etna as their ruler, and, not surprisingly, considering that Sicily has a number of hectares under vine comparable to that of the whole of Australia, vineyards are never far from sight.

Finance director collapsed Mayfair

Published: 23 July, 2008

The finance director of the collapsed fine wine merchant Mayfair Cellars sold almost 1 million of customers' wine without authorisation and then passed on the proceeds to his partner, according to the administrators report.

Majestic on the money

Published: 23 July, 2008

Shares in Majestic Wine rose marginally as soon as its results for the year to March 27 were announced, reflecting the market's relief that the figures were almost exactly what brokers had predicted. Last week, some had expressed fears that the pace of Majestic's long unbroken run of record profitability would be slowed.

Islay be back

Published: 23 July, 2008

ARDBEG
News: Ardbeg's cult following by peat freaks is set to continue, with a raft of single malt releases for 2006. (Single malt bottlings have increased to 70% of distillery production since manager Stuart Thompson's arrival nine years ago).

Rolfe launches 10 International

Published: 23 July, 2008

Two former United Wineries employees - Bill Rolfe and Toby Hancock - have left the company to launch a new wine business, 10 International.

SuperWhites in town

Published: 23 July, 2008

Some 41 winemakers from Friuli Venezia Giulia will be in London in July for the second UK SuperWhites event.

New guide to tempt distillery visitors

Published: 23 July, 2008

A new guide with information for those wishing to visit Scottish distilleries has been published by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Drinks watchdog to advise on gift packs

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Portman Group, the responsible drinking organisation, has decided to issue guidance to retailers after a landmark decision regarding the promotion of gift packs containing alcoholic drinks.

HARPERS-ON-TRADE NEWS

Published: 23 July, 2008

Mocot delayed by Brazilian officials
Mocot, the new contemporary Brazilian restaurant in London's Knightsbridge, has put back its opening date once again - this time to mid-August.

Intervino launches with 1 million contract

Published: 23 July, 2008

Intervino, a Lincolnshire-based company launched on 1 April, has secured a 1 million contract to supply a national rewards scheme.

State of the Wine Nation

Published: 23 July, 2008

The messages from Enotria, land of wine, have been largely grim since 2002, so it is encouraging to report that a sunnier aspect appears to be emerging.

ITALY: Vintage Italia

Published: 23 July, 2008

If you believe that you can trust a chart to get a fair impression of any vintage, then you must be somewhat naive; and if you think you can use one to understand an Italian vintage, then you are seriously out of touch.

ITALY: Romagna Rising

Published: 23 July, 2008

When it's time for bottling, Enrico Drei Don wheels his lovingly restored Fiat 500 out of his family's winery and the rented bottling line is rolled in to take its place. As passionate a student of cars as he is of wine in all its dimensions, he is able to illuminate the inner workings of a carburettor with the same ease as he does the geopolitical boundaries of his native Emilia-Romagna, and in near-flawless English.

Vironneau for CIVB?

Published: 23 July, 2008

The controversial president of the Syndicate of Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur has been tipped to take over the presidency of the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB).

ITALY: Talking Italian

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chairman:
Anthony Rose, The Independent
Panellists:
Alberto Antonini, producer and consultant; Tony Brown MW, product manager for Italy, Spain and Portugal, Meridian Wines; Peter McCombie MW, consultant; Simon Thorpe MW, purchasing director, Western Wines
Sponsor:
Claudio Gamberotto, CAVIT