Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

SWA welcomes discussions on Thai duty rates

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Scottish Whisky Association (SWA) has welcomed EU calls for a re-evaluation of current duty rates on whisky in Thailand.

V&S interest to increase as Absolut profits jump

Published: 23 July, 2008

Interest surrounding the Swedish government's auction of Vin & Sprit (V&S) is set to increase following today's positive Absolut Vodka trading results.

SWVA launches new website

Published: 23 July, 2008

The South West Vineyards Association (SWVA) has launched its new website this week.

Like-for-like sales up over Christmas

Published: 23 July, 2008

Almost three quarters (73%) of UK retailers saw like-for-like sales up over Christmas with online purchases showing particularly strong gains.

Tesco sees Argentine wine sales jump

Published: 23 July, 2008

Tesco has registered the highest selling Argentine wine in a new UK survey of most bought brands.

Alcohol in Moderation conference approaches

Published: 23 July, 2008

Alcohol in Moderation (AIM), the responsible drinking organisation, will host its forum event on Thursday March 13 2008.

Sainsbury's wine buyer takes on director role

Published: 23 July, 2008

Amanda Heffer, wine and spirits buyer at Sainsbury's, has taken on the role of business unit director.

Greenhouse gas protocol released by wine bodies

Published: 23 July, 2008

A partnership between some of the world's major wine producing regions - led by the Wine Institute - will see the implementation of a new greenhouse gas accounting protocol.

UV alcohol labelling meets scepticism

Published: 23 July, 2008

NRFN, an independent retailers' association, has questioned the effectiveness of a pilot scheme to mark alcohol with ultra-violet labels to combat under-age drinking.

Languedoc raises organic wine game

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Languedoc-Roussillon region of France aims to become the country's leading region in organic wine production.

Australian wine production down as demand rises

Published: 23 July, 2008

Last year saw mixed results for the Australian wine industry as production dropped while sales increased, new figures show.

Pernod Ricard submits first offer for Vin & Sprit's Absolut

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bidding has begun for Sweden's state-owned Vin & Sprit AB, the owner of Absolut vodka, and Pernod Ricard has submitted a nonbinding offer at the end of the first round, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Butch Cassidy releases Newman's Own wines

Published: 23 July, 2008

Paul Newman, of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fame, has launched a Newman's Own wine range.

Bill Baker dies

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bill Baker has passed away in his sleep, aged 53. The popular co-owner of Reid Wines died at his house in Rock, Cornwall, with his wife in attendance.

Branded Kir Royal launched in UK

Published: 23 July, 2008

Spirits firm Malcolm Cowen has launched the first branded Kir Royal in the UK.

10,000 expected at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium

Published: 23 July, 2008

Some 10,000 attendees are expected at the 2008 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento.

Wine gift company to offset emissions

Published: 23 July, 2008

A company that sells gift packaging to the drinks trade, aims to plant a total of 29,000 trees on a plantation by the end of 2008 to offset its carbon emissions.