Rioja shipments to UK hit all-time high
Rioja shipments to the UK reached a record high of 22.9 million litres last year, a growth of 19% on 2005.
Rioja shipments to the UK reached a record high of 22.9 million litres last year, a growth of 19% on 2005.
Bacardi, the maker of the world's leading rum brand, has contacted the Swedish government, saying it wants to buy Vin & Sprit (V&S), the owner of Absolut vodka.
The owner of St Emilion property Grand Corbin-Despagne has slammed the three chteaux in the region that have challenged last year's classification following their demoted status.
The UK sparkling wine market is expected to grow faster than that of any other European country according to new research.
A huge jump in December imports for Champagne lifted the UK out of a negative showing for 2006.
Ghislain de Montgolfier, president of Champagne Bollinger, has been appointed as the new president of the Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). He will take up his position on 15 March, the day of the UMC's annual general assembly.
Paul Walsh, chief executive of UK spirits company Diageo, has said demand for premium brands is shrinking'.
When: Wednesday 14 March, 10am-5.30pm
Where: The Nursery End Pavilion, Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW8
Contact: Tina Coady on 01638 614 775 or register at www.franceunderoneroof.co.uk
Venue: Royal Horticultural Halls, London
Date: Tuesday 13 March, 10.30am-5.30pm
Jorge Fernandez, a Londoner of Spanish parentage, has spent most of his career conceptualising and running coffee bars. He opened the Caf at Foyles, which his wife now runs, and for several years was the general manager at the Monmouth Coffee Company. Rick Wells was born in Zimbabwe, where he lived until he was 10. He has spent his career to date reporting on Africa for the BBC, and a few years ago, pursuing his passion for wine, he started a small business sourcing and importing wines for friends. A regular Monmouth customer, Wells got to know Fernandez and realised that both dreamed of opening up a shop. Fernandez and Wells, a deli-cum-wine shop focusing on wine, cheese and cured meat from France, Italy and Spain, opened in January, and a new venue specialising in coffee, cake and chocolate will open later this year. Some wines are specially sourced by Wells, others are supplied by John Armit and Enotria .
A new region has joined Austria's growing appellation system as the country moves further to promote its wines by area rather than variety.
Can magnets affect the flavour of wine? A MW student stands to in a prize of US$1 million if his dissertation proves that controversial magnetic wine-improving devices actually work as claimed.
The most extensive collection ever of Chteau d'Yquem has been sold for a record-breaking 775,000.
Blended Scotch accounts for around 90% of total Scotch whisky sales, which sounds great, but blends have been experiencing a gentle, sustained decline in the UK. There's a particular lack of understanding and appreciation among younger consumers, who are focused on vodka and its amazing mixability.
Only two years after it took over Southcorp, Australia's largest wine producer, Foster's could itself become a takeover target. That is the conclusion of some analysts Down Under following publication of disappointing figures from Australia's leading drinks producer.
A wine estate in Wairarapa has been hit by phylloxera, making it likely that the entire region will become infected.
French wine and spirit exports hit an all-time high in 2006. According to the Fdration des Exportateurs de Vins et de Spiriteux de France (FEVS), exports were up 12.9% in 2006, representing a total value of 8.74 billion.
United Brands is under new management, and major changes have already been made.
Michel Rolland is giving up his consulting work on 15 Mdoc and Graves properties as the left bank pushes for a more recognisable, Cabernet-focused style. Chteaux Kirwan in Margaux and de Fieuzal in Graves are among those that Rolland is leaving, but he will remain at Malescot, despite reports to the contrary. Rolland also wished to make it clear that he has never been associated with Chteau Branaire.
A new wine brand with an alcohol level of 8.5% by volume is to hit pubs in mid-April, and is likely to herald the emergence of a mid-strength wine category in the UK.