Ill health forces First Quench chief to step down

UK independent specialist drinks retailer First Quench Retailing has announced the resignation of chief executive officer Yvonne Rankin due to ill health.

450,000 in digital campaign to force Diageo u-turn

Drinks giant Diageo has been swamped by 450,000 emails urging it to scrap plans for a company restructuring that will see the loss of 900 jobs in Scotland.

Villa Maria founder receives knighthood

George Fistonich, founder of Villa Maria has been recognised with the New Zealand wine industry's first ever knighthood.

Australian Vintage posts $123.6 million loss

Australian Vintage, owner of Nepenthe, McGuigan and Tempus Two wine brands, has posted a $123.6 million net annual loss after sustaining a $127 million impairment charge early this year following a strategic review of its operations.

Berry Bros. & Rudd smash sales record

Web boycott campaign targets Scotch

The release from Scotland of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has prompted an internet boycott campaign targeting Scotch whisky.

Beer leads the way for Fosters

Foster's Group - Australia's largest brewer - has announced a 4% rise in profit for the full year on the back of a powerful performance by its beer division.

Bushmills gets a new look

Diageo is giving Bushmills Irish whiskey a new look bottle and label design in order to re-vamp the brand.

Wines in the press August 21 - 23

The Guardian

Sud de France launches Sommelier of the Year

Umbrella brand Sud de France has launched a new competition to find the Sud de France UK Sommelier of the Year.

Wines of Chile pledge support for WSET

Wines of Chile has become a patron and sponsor for the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust (WSET).

Cameron pledges to tackle late-night binge-drinking

Conservative leader David Cameron, plans to tackle Britain's binge-drinking culture by cracking down on late-night businesses selling cut-price alcohol and increasing duty on high-strength drinks.

Biscaldi invests in Viru

Italian importers and exporters Biscaldi Luigi has purchased a stake in UK based Brand Independence, owner of Estonian beer Viru.

HwCg goes under

HwCg is the latest high-profile victim of the recession after being placed into administration. After months of speculation, the agency has confirmed its assets are being purchased by PLB.

DIAM reduces its carbon footprint

Closure producer, Oeneo Bouchage, has reduced the carbon footprint of its DIAM technical closure by 12 per cent, bringing it in line with natural cork.

Bordeaux Wine Council teams up with Lovefilm

The Bordeaux Wine Council and Lovefilm.com have teamed up with a number of major supermarkets in an a new promotional initiative.

Low alcohol wines on the agenda

Jancis Robinson MW is to host a new forum looking at the issue of low alcohol wines.

Low alcohol wines on the agenda

WSTA to host low alcohol wine forum

Creating a new category in wine, London, October 1st, 2009

The WSTA is to host a low alcohol wine forum bringing retailers and producers together to consider the potential for the category.

Speakers will include Dan Jago of Tesco, Andrea Ruggeri of Matthew Clark and Jeremy Beadles, WSTA.  Jancis Robinson MW will chair the event.

The forum will hear the latest market research from TFC Wines & Spirits and PLB, pointing to growing consumer demand for a wider range of lower alcohol wines.  It comes as European regulators have taken steps to remove some of the barriers preventing sales of wines made using new generation winemaking technologies.

The forum will consider the opportunities for lower alcohol wine, particularly in the light of ongoing sensible drinking campaigns and also reflect on some of the challenges still faced, including technical legislation and marketing rules.

Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive of the WSTA, said: "Given the prevailing public agenda around healthy living it's timely for the trade to be sharing information and expertise on lower alcohol wines.  Some of the biggest names in the business are taking part and I hope this event will stimulate lively debate."


ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The WSTA is the UK lobbying organisation for the wine and spirit industry representing over 320 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wines and spirits.
We campaign to promote the industry's interests with governments at home and abroad.
We work with our members to promote the responsible production, marketing and sale of alcohol.
For more information please contact Gavin Partington:
Tel:    +44 (0) 20 7089 3876
Mob:    +44 (0) 7966 014058
Email:  gavin@wsta.co.uk

Wines in the press - August 14-16

The Guardian

Whirrrr; or, more accurately, crunch-clack, isn't as satisfying as a pop, but increasingly this is the sound we hear when we open a wine bottle, says Victoria Moore.

Sloe Whisky wins a gold

Sloe Motion, the North Yorkshire family run Sloe Gin producing company, has won a national award for its Sloe Whisky.