Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Italian police foil wine scam

Published: 23 July, 2008

ITALY: (Reuters) - European wine drinkers are being duped into buying Italian table wines labelled as the country's finest

Evans & Tate appoint receivers

Published: 23 July, 2008

Australian winery Evans & Tate has been forced to call in the receivers after McWilliams pulled out of the rescue package.

Foster's and Gallo enter Superbrand league

Published: 23 July, 2008

Hardys is still the biggest wine brand in the UK but Foster's and Gallo are closing the gap according to new figures.

WSET to set up bursary fund for disadvantaged students

Published: 23 July, 2008

A bursary fund for disadvantaged students is being launched by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

New Italian agency for Corney & Barrow

Published: 23 July, 2008

A Barolo-based producer has been added to the portfolio of UK wine merchant Corney & Barrow.

Russia lifts ban on Moldovan wines

Published: 23 July, 2008

MOLDOVA: But wine companies winning approval are unable to ship wines to Russia until the "majority" of companies are audited, officials said.

Customs officers seize 12,000 litres of whisky

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: The Teachers whisky was confiscated at a coach depot in Bentley Lane, Walsall, by HM Revenue and Customs.

On-trade message for NZ producers

Published: 23 July, 2008

New Zealand has been told there are "fertile opportunities" for its wines in the on-trade but it needs to add value and build better relationships with UK buyers

Auction of Swedish collector set to hit 1.5m

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: Over 4,500 of some extremely rare vintages are to be sold off in New York, with well over a million pounds expected to be paid for the wines.

Welsh doctors call for higher taxes to curb binge drinking

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: British Medical Association (BMA) Cymru Wales is calling on Westminster and the Welsh Assembly Government to raise alcohol taxes - penalising drinks with the highest amount of alcohol.

South Africa health minister fights drink claims

Published: 23 July, 2008

SOUTH AFRICA (Reuters): The country's health minister is fighting newspaper claims she smuggled red wine and whisky into a private hospital to treat AIDS.

Supermarket giants forced to hand over emails

Published: 23 July, 2008

Tesco and Asda have been ordered to submit millions of letters and emails, in the latest twist to the Competition Commission investigation.

Clubscan given all clear by ICO

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: ID scanner company given the all clear after concerns were raised about the use of its equipment in pubs and bars.

New Zealand exports boom

Published: 23 July, 2008

NEW ZEALAND: The country's exports to the UK increased by 36% in the past twelve months, according to figures released today.

Berkmann Wine Cellars to unveil new website

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: A new and improved website from Berkmann Wine Cellars will be launched by the end of the month.

White wines stay fresh under synthetics

Published: 23 July, 2008

FRANCE: A new study has shown that a synthetic closure is performing as well as corks when it comes to keeping white wines fresh.

Sainsbury's injects cash into Fairtrade

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Sainsbury's launches 1m fund for farmers and growers in the developing world to join the Fairtrade initiative.

The Sainsbury's Fair Development Fund will support Fairtrade producer initiatives over a four-year period.

The fund, run by Comic Relief, will help farmers find a new route to market and provide them with a better deal.

Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury's, said: "The fund will overcome barriers for poor producers enabling them to trade and therefore improve their livelihoods.

"This is why we're supporting Fairtrade on an additional level and encouraging customers to support the Fairtrade label so they too can help communities in developing countries."