Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New BBC show for Oz Clarke

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oz Clarke is teaming up with Top Gear's James May for a new BBC wine programme to be aired this autumn - Oz & James's Big Wine Adventure.

Riedel issues statement to the press

Published: 23 July, 2008

Stemware maker, Riedel issues statement regarding claims made by Zwiesel Kristallglass about its crystal glass.

Wine In The Name of Peace - the Lebanese/Israeli wine tasting event has been cancelled

Published: 23 July, 2008

The organisers of the Wine In The Name of Peace - a Lebanese/Israeli wine tasting event which was due to take place on Wednesday 16 August at Vinopolis on London's South Bank, have announced that it has been cancelled.

Consumers are the winners with Oz surplus, says ex-Hardy's winemaker

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Christian Davis
With some Australian grape prices a third of what they were just a few years of year's ago, consumers are benefiting from great-quality Australian wines at great prices, according to Stephen Pannell, a former group winemaker with Hardy's.

A new era for Cyprus by Caroline Gilby MW

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Cyprus wine industry has reached a turning point. On the
one hand, EU membership has seen the loss of substantial subsidies for wine exports. This brought to an end the shipments of vast quantities of low-quality bulk wine that had been destined for Sherry-type fortified wines, gluhwein' and other mass markets in the EU. On the other hand, in 2005, Italian archaeologists found evidence that winemaking on the island dates back to 3,500 bc, possibly the longest winemaking history in Europe. Cyprus also claims one of the oldest images of wine drinkers in the 3rd century ad mosaics at Paphos. And Cypriots are proud of their sweet, fortified wine Commandaria, which is the oldest named' wine in the world, dating back to the 12th century and still made in the traditional manner from sun-dried grapes.

Wine Australia praised despite Foster's no-show

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Stuart Peskett
It may have been a smaller event than two years ago, but the overriding reaction to Wine Australia 2006, which took place in Sydney last month, was extremely positive.

Lutterworth opening

Published: 23 July, 2008

Shadow Trade & Industry Minister, Alan Duncan MP, has opened CERT drinks network's new 235,000 sq ft bonded distribution centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, which will act as a national hub for the delivery of drinks across the UK to the multiples, wholesalers and convenience stores.

Tesco looks to educate

Published: 23 July, 2008

Tesco is promising new consumer education initiaves
at this year's Tesco Wine Club Fairs - with improved masterclasses and a new Challenge Your Senses' zone.

Pallanti for President

Published: 23 July, 2008

Marco Pallanti, of the renowned Chianti Classico estate Castello di Ama, has been elected president of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium following a unanimous vote last month.

Bolla to be bought by GIV?

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Nicolas Belfrage MW and Franco Ziliani
One of the biggest names in traditional Italian viniculture, Bolla, may be on its way into the portfolio of the giant Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV).

Bordeaux seduces the Brits

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ecole du Vin, the Bordeaux-based wine school, will be running two courses in the autumn aimed at British women. Hosted by the CIVB and wine tutor Wendy Narby, the courses will feature lectures on wine and health as well as lunches and tastings, all conducted by women.

Coussins to leave The Portman Group

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jean Coussins is to leave the Portman Group after 10 years at the helm of the industry-funded watchdog and sensible drinking campaign group.

Oddbins to end single-bottle discounts

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oddbins is to end all price promotions on single bottles of table wine from 21 August in favour of reducing prices across its range.

Constellation: the story of a wine scandal'

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Europe made it into the national newspapers for all the wrong reasons late last month after news leaked out that employees of Matthew Clark - Constellation's on-trade distribution arm - were being urged to buy the company's wines while they were being trialled at JD Wetherspoon pubs and claim the cost back on expenses.

Northern experts

Published: 23 July, 2008

A Scandinavian has won the Trophe Ruinart 2006 as the best European sommelier for the second time in a row.

Both sides suffer amidst Middle East conflict

Published: 23 July, 2008

Israeli industry in the firing line; 2006 harvest at risk.

Santa Rita buys 1,600 ha

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chilean winery Via Santa Rita has acquired 1,600 hectares (ha) of vineyard land - both virgin and planted - in the areas of Pumanque and Limar.
This purchase has almost doubled the land ownership of Santa Rita, from 2,000 to 3,600ha, making it the second-largest land-owning winery in Chile after Concha y Toro.
Pumanque, around 30km west of Apalta, has no other vineyard plantings at present, and Santa Rita has already installed irrigation, including a reservoir and 10km of pipes. A wide spectrum of grapes will be planted shortly.
Limar, situated 400km north of Santiago, is also a relatively new area, with Via Tabali the most high-profile producer in the area at present. Santa Rita has acquired 470ha in this region, 65 of which are already planted with Chardonnay, Shiraz, Carmnre and Cabernet Sauvignon. The remaining land will be planted over the next five years primarily with Chardonnay and Shiraz.

IWSC results out

Published: 23 July, 2008

The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) announced its 2006 trophy winners last week (20 July), with a Canadian Shiraz - 2004 Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Shiraz - scooping the Rosemount Trophy for Shiraz/Syrah, and an English sparkling wine, 1998 Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, being hailed as the world's best sparkling wine' after winning the Yarden Trophy for Bottled Fermented Sparkling Wine.

Pernod Ricard leads Tequila chase

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Ron Emler
Patrick Ricard, the chairman of Pernod Ricard, has made no secret of his desire to own a major brand of tequila, and reports from New York suggest he is close to fulfilling that ambition and plugging a significant hole in the portfolio of the world's second-largest wines and spirits company.

Low 2006 beneficio could push up young Port prices

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Richard Woodard
Port shippers fear that there may be a shortage of younger Ports, after the region's production limit for the 2006 harvest was set below annual sales for the fifth year in a row.