News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New from Boschendal

Published: 23 July, 2008

South African wine producer Boschendal has introduced a new range of premium wines for the off-trade made up of three single varietals and two dual varietals.

Edrington enjoys profits boost

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Edrington Group has revealed a growth in both group turnover (up 3.7% to 263.4 million) and operating profits
(up 6.5% to 71.9 million) following the recent announcement of its financial results for the year ending 31 March.

Simplicity the key for wine closures

Published: 23 July, 2008

The most important feature of a wine closure is the ease of use, a new survey has shown. The survey, conducted by Skalli & Rein in May, and featuring 1,000 responses from 55 countries, showed that simplicity' was the key feature of any wine closure.

Languedoc against vine pull

Published: 23 July, 2008

The director general of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL) has come out against the European Commission's proposals to uproot 400,000 hectares of vineyards over the next five years (see Harpers, 31 June).

White to Drinks Logistics

Published: 23 July, 2008

Werner White has been appointed as managing director of the newly formed Kuehne + Nagel division, KN Drinks Logistics.

Free wine for OAPs

Published: 23 July, 2008

British pensioners could soon be entitled to a complementary case of wine as part of a government initiative to help mop up the European Union wine lake, which is currently approaching
800 million gallons.

Corney & Barrow targets the on-trade

Published: 23 July, 2008

Corney & Barrow has appointed three new sales personnel to its on-trade team, as it looks to expand its national on-trade presence.

Gonzalez Byass adds three

Published: 23 July, 2008

The UK arm of Sherry producer Gonzalez Byass has created
three new roles at the St Albans-based company.

Lay & Wheeler recruits

Published: 23 July, 2008

Lay & Wheeler has recruited four new staff to its team.

Fresh RM appoints Luchford APM

Published: 23 July, 2008

Wine+, the new on-trade wine event, has appointed Luchford APM as its PR agency.

Constellation sales robust

Published: 23 July, 2008

The world's largest wine producer, Constellation Brands, increased its earnings in the three months to the end of May by 13%, which was more than analysts expected. Net sales were up 5% to $1.2bn, a record for the group in the first quarter of its financial year, which did not include a contribution from Vincor, the Canadian group purchased by Constellation earlier this year.

IWSC debates high alcohol levels

Published: 23 July, 2008

As high alcohol levels are becoming more and more contentious in the industry, the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) has pulled together a panel to discuss and debate this topic as a precursor to its annual showcase tasting.

Portman Group steps back from campaigns

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Dawn Cran
Industry-funded sensible drinking advocate The Portman Group is stepping back from consumer communication following the signing of an historic' agreement for the formation of a new self-governing trust to be regulated by both industry and non-industry experts.

The best-selling take home drinks, according to AC Nielsen

Published: 23 July, 2008

The leading alcoholic drinks brands may have retained their positions in the market but this AC Nielsen results show that the UK take-home drinks trade is currently going through some subtle, but surprising changes.

Diageo looking good for year ahead

Published: 23 July, 2008

Strong sales of brands such as Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff will be the main factors in generating organic revenue growth of 6.5% for Diageo in the year to the end of June.

John Power Head Sommelier, Prestonfield

Published: 23 July, 2008

Prestonfield
Priestfield Road
Edinburgh EH16 5UT
Tel: 0131 662 2305
www.prestonfield.com

John Power began his career at the five-star Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, where he trained as a sommelier before moving to the Witchery by the Castle in 1998. Earlier this year he took on the new role of central wine buyer for all of James Thompson's Edinburgh restaurants, including the Witchery by the Castle, Tower restaurant in the Museum of Scotland and Rhubarb at the five-star Prestonfield hotel, where he is now based.

Key suppliers: Raeburn Fine Wine, Cheviot Wine, Corney & Barrow, Justerini & Brooks, Fine & Rare Wines.

Camus launches screwcap Cognac

Published: 23 July, 2008

Camus has launched what it believes is the first-ever range of Cognacs bottled under screwcap.

The Wine Standards Board closes

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Wine Standards Board (WSB) ceased to exist on 30 June after 33 years. Responsibility for wine inspection and the implementation of the European Union (EU) wine regulations in the UK has passed to the Food Standards Board (FSA).