Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Hardy's moves its winemaking base

Published: 23 July, 2008

Australian wine company Hardy's will move its winemaking and packaging facility from Buronga winery to Berri Estate in a US$22 million (10.5m) move.

Fortune sells off wine business to Constellation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fortune Brands, which owns Beam Global Spirits and Wine, has sold off its wine business to Constellation Brands for a reported US$885 million (428.3m).

Enotria takes on Marques de Riscal

Published: 23 July, 2008

London-based Enotria has been appointed the UK agent for major Rioja brand Marques de Riscal.

New Masters of Wine announced

Published: 23 July, 2008

Seven new Masters of Wine (MW) were announced last night at the Institute of Masters of Wine Annual Reception including a Tesco buyer, two Australians and the first MW from Sweden.

Cloudy Bay spices it up

Published: 23 July, 2008

New Zealand producer Cloudy Bay is to launch its 2004 Gewurztraminer via its online search facility, Cloudy Bay Locator.

Ros Champagne boosts LVMH sales

Published: 23 July, 2008

Luxury goods company, Louis Vuitton Mot Hennessy (LVMH), has announced its wine and spirit sales have risen 9%.

Australia wins a third of all Gold medals

Published: 23 July, 2008

IWSC awards the country with 44 Best in Class and six Golds.

Mas continues expansion with 10 new wines

Published: 23 July, 2008

Languedoc producer Domaines Paul Mas is carrying on a programme of growth with AOC wines released from the south of France.

London hosts Argentine wine tasting day

Published: 23 July, 2008

Some 700 visitors are expected at today's Wines of Argentina annual trade testing, held at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.

Tesco launches autumn wine promotion

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Tesco's autumn wine festival has wine discounts of up to 50%

Leading brands scoop Australian wine awards

Published: 23 July, 2008

Peter Lehmann Wines from the Barossa Valley took home four trophies and 37 medals at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show.

Fortune Brands reports dip in second-quarter results

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fortune Brands, the parent company of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, has reported net income of $232 million (114.18) for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $248m (122.03), in the same period a year ago.

McWilliam's steps in to secure E&T deal

Published: 23 July, 2008

Debt-ridden winery Evans & Tate, which has been subject to a host of investment offers for more than a year, has finally accepted an offer from McWilliam's Wines.

Chilean Wine industry launches a new wine association

Published: 23 July, 2008

The association called Vinos de Chile will unite 95 wineries, representing 95% of the total exported wine market.

IWSC announces Stateside award-winners

Published: 23 July, 2008

The gold medal winners from the USA and Canada at this year's International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) have been announced.

E&J Gallo signs up new Swedish distributer

Published: 23 July, 2008

California-based E&J Gallo signs import and distribution contract with Spendrups Vin.

Jacob's Creek/Gallo lead the way in brand recognition

Published: 23 July, 2008

The two wine brands with the highest level of consumer awareness are Jacob's Creek and E&J Gallo.

Constellation profits dive

Published: 23 July, 2008

Stronger competition in Britain and a drop in wine shipments to US wholesalers have seen US-owned Constellation Brands, the world's largest wine producer, record a 64% fall in its first-quarter profits.

Split decision

Published: 23 July, 2008

It is inconceivable that the Cte d'Or would ever be regarded as a single entity, with no recognition of the differences between a Puligny-Montrachet and a Meursault. Yet, for the Clare Valley in South Australia, this is how it is. Though similar in length to the Cte d'Or, the Clare Valley is lumped into one catch-all appellation. But if you have ever tasted a selection of Rieslings from Polish Hill River, Watervale and Sevenhill this is clearly not one homogeneous zone.

Benchmark wines revealed

Published: 23 July, 2008

This year's selection of Californian Benchmark wines, which will be marketed and promoted to the public and media by the Wine Institute of California, has been selected.