Wines in the Press: Sweet sherry and brilliant Bordeaux

Santa Rita chairman passes away

Don Ricardo Claro, chair of the Santa Rita wine group in Chile, has passed away after suffering a heart attack.

Wine Australia starts hunt for "best and brightest" wine talent

Wine Australia has launched its search for candidates for its scholarship programme, which will offer 12 industry members the chance to go to Australia and participate in a series of educational workshops.

Foster's delays decision on wine division

Foster's Group has delayed until next year a decision on what to do with its ailing wine business.

Wines in the Press: sake, Constantia and the trouble with single varietals

Jancis Robinson mulls over the mysteries of sake, Jonathan Ray visits the Western Cape, and Anthony Rose joins the wine club. Meanwhile, Jane MacQuitty considers what to drink in a recession and Tim Atkin tires of the domination of the big five grape varieties in New World wine.

Las Moras steps up marketing campaign

Argentinian wine brand Finca Las Moras is stepping up its UK marketing activity following major new listings for its wines.

Wines in the Press: From old wines to sweet wines

Blog special from the winners of the Harpers/ Wines of Argentina competition - Part 3

In the latest installment of out blog special from the winners of the Harpers/ Wines of Argentina Steak Your Claim competition, wine business entrepreneur Dominic Crolla tells us why he's dreaming of steak. Over the next few days, each of our five winners are enjoying a tour of each of the main wine regions and visiting key producers to give them a taste of what Argentina can offer the UK, and sending back missives of their travels. Here's Dominic's blog...

Paragon re-establishes Australian connection

UK distributor Paragon Vintners has re-established an Australian representation in its portfolio by winning the full UK distribution for South Australian winery Jip Jip Rocks.

Wines in the Press: Malbec, Muscadet and wines in the desert

This week Jane MacQuitty assesses the future of Oddbins, Victoria Moore goes back to her roots and Jonny Beardsall takes a trip to the Namib desert to meet a remarkable winemaker. Meanwhile Joanna Simon is surprised by the following on new website thewinegang.com.

Wines in the Press: Chardonnay and PX are back in vogue

Some unfashionable wines get some good publicity this week; Jancis Robinson sings the praises of sweet Spanish PX varieties and Jamie Goode attempts to reverse some of the damage Bridget Jones has inflicted on Chardonnay in recent years. Elsewhere, last month's Dispatches programme on the use of chemicals in wine is still a talking point; this week Jane MacQuitty has her say.

Constellation reports $23 million second quarter loss

Constellation Brands has reported a second-quarter loss of nearly $23 million (£13 million) on the sale of some of its vineyards and production plants in Australia.

Australia storms to victory in IWSC competition

Australia took pole position at today's annual International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), scooping a total of 34 awards.

Vergelegen launches vintage "V"

Premium South African winery, Vergelegen has launched the 2004 vintage of "V" - its flagship wine - onto the UK market. The wine, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (7%) and Cabernet Franc (3%), has an RRP of £56 and is targeted at both the high end retailers and on-trade. The 2004 is the third vintage of "V" to be released in the UK.

ZGM appoints award winning winemaker

International wine producer ZGM has appointed award-winning winemaker Julian Grubb to its team.

Didier Dagueneau dies in plane crash

Acclaimed Pouilly Fumé producer, Didier Dagueneau, has died aged 52. Dagueneau was tragically involved in a microlite accident last Wednesday in the Dordogne region of western France.

Wines in the Press: Washington, South Africa and the rise of M&S

Peter Grogan sings the praises of Washington wines, Jamie Goode comes over all fruit and nut, and Jancis Robinson's tastebuds experience something of a sense of déjà vu this week. Tom Atkin meanwhile might not be a fan of Marks & Spencer's undies collection, but when it comes to its wines it's a different story...

Wines in the Press: Ways to enjoy seventy-five centilitres of fun

Jane MacQuitty indulges in a spot of armchair shopping, Jancis Robinson learns where not to mention the 'S' word and Tim Aktin enjoys "seventy-five centilitres of fun" with some Sauvignon this week. Meanwhile for those with cash to flash, Antony Rose's column makes for inspiring reading...

Welcome to the future

The July 11 issue of this magazine contained two disassociated snippets of information regarding Australian wine, which have long occupied my own thoughts (in my soon-to-be-published book, The Great Wine Swindle, I speculate on the implications in greater depth).

Origin switches sourcing of Camden Park to Argentina

Origin Wines is switching the supply of one of its premium brands from Austrailia to Argentina in a bid to make the brand more profitable.