Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

2007 predictions: another tough year

Published: 23 July, 2008

We asked key figures in the UK wine trade for their predictions for 2007. This is what they said:

Matthew Clark increases Italian range

Published: 23 July, 2008

Three new Italian agencies have been added to the Matthew Clark portfolio: Ruffino, Fontana Candida and Bigi.

Diageo heads into China

Published: 23 July, 2008

Diageo has taken a step forward in the Chinese market by entering a joint venture with Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing.

Blavod in takeover talks

Published: 23 July, 2008

Blavod Extreme Spirits is continuing talks with an unidentified suitor about a potential takeover bid, but its latest financial results will not have increased its attractions.

Duval-Leroy in UK land purchase?

Published: 23 July, 2008

The world could toast the success of athletes at London's 2012 Olympics with Bride Valley Brut English sparkling wine if a joint venture between Champagne Duval-Leroy and wine writer Steven Spurrier comes to fruition.

Absolut vodka primed for sale

Published: 23 July, 2008

By RON EMLER

The Swedish government has effectively fired the starting gun in the race to buy Absolut vodka.

Jackson appoints Fells for UK

Published: 23 July, 2008

John E Fells will now be responsible for sales and distribution of wines for Jackson Wine Estates, whose portfolio includes Kendall-Jackson in California, Via Caline in Chile, and Yangarra Estate in McLaren Vale, Australia.

WSTA concerned over back-label warnings

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), has warned that Finnish plans for health warnings on back labels would encourage other national governments to follow suit.

Gris overtakes Riesling

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jo Burzynska reporting from New Zealand
As one of the many Riesling lovers vainly holding out for the variety's long-prophesied but never-nigh renaissance, my heart sank a little with the news that plantings of the Germanic great had been overtaken by Pinot Gris in the vineyards of New Zealand.

Fortnum's keen to shed Hogwarts' image

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Rebecca Gibb
Fortnum & Mason wants to leave behind its dusty old Hogwarts image' with a 24-million revamp.

New PR for Montaudon

Published: 23 July, 2008

Clementine Communications now handles the PR for Champagne Montaudon - one of the only family-run Champagne houses remaining in the region.

Buy online at Bunnahabhain.com

Published: 23 July, 2008

Following the launch of a new website for Bunnahabhain Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky earlier in 2006, an online shop is now up and running.

Fake Oz wine on the increase

Published: 23 July, 2008

David Yunghanns of Wingara Wine Group has warned that fake versions of top Australian wines are on the increase.

Anson leaves Thresher

Published: 23 July, 2008

Thresher's trading director, Alex Anson, is leaving the company to take up a new position as European buying director for Nuance Group, based in Zurich.

Morgenrot Chevaliers on the move

Published: 23 July, 2008

Morgenrot Chevaliers PLC, an independent wholesaler in the north of England, is relocating to new premises in Manchester after 36 years of trading from its original site in Bolton.

Hotelier of the Year

Published: 23 July, 2008

Richard Bell, of Calcot Manor in Gloucestershire, has won the Caterer and Hotelkeeper's Hotelier of the Year award.

Pol Roger director dies

Published: 23 July, 2008

David Rhodes, an associate director and sales manager for Pol Roger, died last month, aged 65.

Promotion worth a try

Published: 23 July, 2008

Australian producer McGuigan Simeon is to use the Rugby World Cup in France next year to promote its Gold range in the UK.

Champagne boss warns growers on grape stocks

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Giles Fallowfield
Yves Bnard, president of the Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC), has warned growers and cooperatives in Champagne that their action in holding onto 50% more grapes than they need to replace their annual sales is threatening the stability of the market.

Wines of Argentina recruits

Published: 23 July, 2008

Tim Johns has been appointed Wines of Argentina UK's campaign coordinator. Johns will be based at the generic body's office in the Argentine consulate in Mayfair.