Budget 2008: Wine and Spirits focus

Alcohol has come under close scrutiny in Chancellor Alistair Darling's first Budget with duty up across the board for wine and spirits.

Day 34 of Clare Valley Vintage - Biodynamically thinking

G'day Folks. As a practicing fan of biodynamic farming, I'm well aware of the moon's influence on our environment and with the early Easter weekend fast approaching, it's obviously not just here to fulfill my hot cross bun addiction. There's a full moon rising.

Harpers' First French Podcast approaches

This Wednesay (March 19), the Harpers' team will be covering a special panel debate at the France under One Roof Tasting'.

New Zealand Tasting: Podcast

The first Harpers' podcast, sponsored by New Zealand Winegrowers and produced by the UK Wine Show, gives behind-the-scene insight at this industry tasting.

Record wine crop for Oregon in 2007

Oregon has produced a record crop of grapes for third consecutive year, new figures show.

Vodka product marketed for women only: Video Report

A Russian drinks company has launched a vodka product targeted specifically at women.

Industry urged to dump price promotions

Alcohol industry urged to drop price-led promotions in favour of more socially responsible marketing.

Jameson Whiskey gets playful' with new campaign

Pernod Ricard UK is investing 1.5m in a new-look advertising campaign for Jameson, the UK's number one selling Irish whiskey.

Champagne region expands to 357 villages

France's highly prized Champagne appellation will be officially expanded, it was announced last week (Thursday March 14).

Record results for Morrisons

Morrisons has reported like-for-like sales (excluding fuel) up by 4.6% for the year to 3 February, on sales up 6% to 13bn.
And pre-tax profit soared to 612m, up from 369m in 2006-07.

TV advertising return for Russian Standard Vodka

Russian Standard, Russia's number one premium vodka distributed in the UK by First Drinks Brands, returns to the TV screens next Monday (17 March 2008) with a new 2.6m national advertising campaign.

Hardy Wine Company looks to stars with name change

The Hardy Wine Company has announced it new trading name will become Constellation Wines Australia.

New Yorker pockets $1.7m from rare wines auction

V Cheryl Womack, a US entrepreneur and established wine collector, has sold off half of her collection for millions of dollars.

Drinkaware campaign gaining momentum

Beefeater Gin sponsors London Hackney cabs

Beefeater Gin has sponsored advertising on a fleet of 15 traditional London Hackney cabs.

WDF sold by BAA for 550m

World Duty Free Europe Limited (WDF) has been sold by BAA for 546.6 million to the Autogrill Group.

Day 26 of Clare Valley Vintage - It's getting hot down here

G'day Folks. This vintage is HOT quite literally.

Threshers restructures with three-pronged approach

The Threshers Group has embarked on a major restructuring programme that will focus on three national UK formats targeted at three types of consumer profiles.

Fine wine sales rocket at BB&R

Sales of fine wine have jumped at Berry Bros. & Rudd (BB&R) since the Hong Kong authorities ditched duty on alcohol.

Villa Maria picks up NZ Champion Wine Award

Villa Maria's Reserve Syrah 2006 has won the Champion Wine of Show Trophy in the 2008 Royal Easter Show.