Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

British wine consumers bluff at restaurants

Published: 23 July, 2008

British wine consumers are a nation of bluffers when it comes to ordering wine at restaurants.

Q&A: Mariann Fischer Boel

Published: 23 July, 2008

The EU wine reform will likely be implemented in August 2008, but first it has to be approved by the Council of Ministers of Agriculture taking place in Brussels on December 17th and 19th.

NVV appoints new president

Published: 23 July, 2008

Pat Stotesbery has been appointed as the new president for the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV).

Scotland launches 10-year plan to tackle alcohol-related violence

Published: 23 July, 2008

Scotland has launched a 10-year plan to combat crime related to its hardman' culture.

Christmas Quiz

Published: 23 July, 2008

Handbags. Furniture polish. Disinfectant. Yes, it's time again to test your mettle - not to mention your memory and attention span - against the Harpers Christmas Quiz 2007.

Constellation completes Fortune Brands acquisition

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Brands has purchased Fortune Brands' US wine portfolio for $885 million (440m).

EU welcomes new spirits regulation

Published: 23 July, 2008

New regulations which set out clear definitions for all spirit drinks have been agreed on by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

Argiano appoints new UK distributor

Published: 23 July, 2008

Thorman Hunt has been appointed as the new UK distributor for Argiano.

EU delighted' with compromise on wine reform

Published: 23 July, 2008

Mariann Fischer Boel, the EU agriculture minister, is delighted with the compromise reached on the wine reform talks.

United Spirits to export wines to Europe

Published: 23 July, 2008

INDIA: United Spirits said it will begin exporting wines to Europe and the US from March 2008.

Pernod finalises 1bn Stolichnaya buyout

Published: 23 July, 2008

Pernod Ricard is looking to finalise a 1 billion purchase of the Russian vodka brand Stolichnaya.

V&S opens new Absolut bottling plant

Published: 23 July, 2008

V&S Absolut Spirits has marked the opening of its new bottling plant in hus.

ONS to reflect the 'nation's drinking habits'

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Office of National Statistics is to update methods to calculate alcohol consumption

Saumur Champigny champions biodiversity

Published: 23 July, 2008

The first biodiversity project focused on one appellation has got underway in Saumur Champigny region.

Supermarkets see on-wine' sales up

Published: 23 July, 2008

Supermarkets have increased their market share of wine sales through online activities.

No more oak chips for Rioja

Published: 23 July, 2008

The use of oak chips in the Rioja winemaking process has been banned under newly endorsed industry bylaws.

Marginal increase in SA wine crop

Published: 23 July, 2008

2008 will see marginal increases in the size of the South African wine harvest.

Alcohol licence fee increases in Scotland

Published: 23 July, 2008

Scottish convenience stores could face a 667% increase in alcohol licensing fees under changes announced by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill earlier this week.