News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Louis Latour picked as Craggy agent

Published: 23 July, 2008

Louis Latour has been appointed as exclusive agent for the on-trade and independent sectors by New Zealand producer Craggy Range.

McGrath to head new WSTA super committee

Published: 23 July, 2008

The WSTA's long period of restructuring has finally come to end with the creation of the WSTA Wine Importers' Panel and the consequent abolition of eight Shippers' Committees.

Waipara expands

Published: 23 July, 2008

New Zealand's Waipara Hills Wine Estate (WHWE) has bought Canterbury House, a major Waipara producer, taking WHWE's holding in the region to 500 hectares.

Villiera leaves Western Wines

Published: 23 July, 2008

Premium South African producer Villiera Wines has become the first agency to leave Western Wines following its purchase by Constellation.

Concha y Toro profits hit hard by currency movement

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chile's biggest wine exporter, Concha y Toro, has seen its profits hit hard by the continuing strength of the Chilean peso.

Gallo moves away from E&J

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Gallo family has dropped the Ernest & Julio in its name and introduced the name Gallo Family Vineyards, ahead of its 75th anniversary in 2008.

First Cape boost

Published: 23 July, 2008

South African brand FirstCape is to get a home' for the first time when a 4.5 million-litre winery is built in the Breede Valley later this year.

V&S to sell Danzka

Published: 23 July, 2008

Swedish giant V&S is to sell its Danish vodka brand, Danzka, and increase its focus on its core portfolio of Absolut vodka and Cruzan rum.

Wright heads Asda team

Published: 23 July, 2008

Asda's beers, wines and spirits team is back to full strength, following a host of internal appointments.

Quality Drink Conference Sponsorship information

Published: 23 July, 2008

Download the Quality Drink Conference 2006 Sponsorship & Promotional Opportunities information pdf here

As a consumer, I readily to admit to being something of a Riedel convert. After all, I've done the tastings, seen the light and got the glasses (well, some of them). Wine really does seem to taste better in a Riedel glass - especially if it's the right' one. And yet, the journalist in me can't help but remain a tad agnostic about some of the proselytising in Riedel's sales pitch.

Cube and Sensible get sampling

Published: 23 July, 2008

Cube Communications and Sensible Wine Services have teamed up to launch a new company, which focuses entirely on presenting wines, beers and spirits to consumers face to face.

Taittinger suitors down to four

Published: 23 July, 2008

The contenders to take over Taittinger Champagne have been whittled down to a short list from the 40 or so who expressed initial interest.

Mayfair Cellars sinks after 1.25 million internal fraud

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fine wine merchant Mayfair Cellars has gone into administration after a scam whereby top Bordeaux and Burgundy was allegedly sold to other London wine merchants.

The Interview: Steve Edwards, Group food & beverage service manager, ABode

Published: 23 July, 2008

How did you get into this business?

I was in the RAF for seven years, in a catering squadron, and when I left I planned to go home to Sydney. But I had a house in Torquay that I wanted to sell first. In the interim, I needed a job and I spotted an ad for a general assistant at Gidleigh Park Hotel. I had never heard of Gidleigh and had no idea about Relais & Chateaux or Michelin stars. I remember driving down this narrow, winding road and coming round the last corner to see this mock-Tudor mansion embedded in the hillside. Paul Henderson, the owner at the time, is a former US marine, so we spent most of the interview discussing my time in the service. He took me on and I ended up staying until 2002.

Diageo says Smirnoff is a girl's best friend

Published: 23 July, 2008

Diageo is offering Smirnoff vodka drinkers the chance to wine one of 10 one-carat diamonds worth 10,000 each, in a promotion beginning next month.

Dom Prignon gets signed up

Published: 23 July, 2008

A bottle of 1996 Dom Prignon - signed by all the surviving members of the victorious 1966 World Cup team - will go under the hammer at Sotheby's in London next month.

Majestic boosts Chilean range

Published: 23 July, 2008

Majestic unveiled 70 new listings at a recent tasting of its summer collection - a larger addition to the range than usual. The two sectors to be given the most attention were Chile and Italy, with the former showing growth and the latter receiving a partial overhaul.

Logistics Supplement 2006

Published: 23 July, 2008

At a time when oil prices, security costs and retailer demands are hitting record heights, companies in all parts of the supply chain are having to be more efficient than ever. Finding the best route from A to B has never been more important.

Katy HulstoneManager, The Elephant

Published: 23 July, 2008

What made you set up shop in Torquay?
Simon, my husband and the head chef, went to school round here, and his family live in Paignton, the town next door, so we know the area. People have this image of Torquay, but it's not like Fawlty Towers any more.