News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Vineyard workers killed in South African train tragedy

Published: 23 July, 2008

At least 19 South African vineyard labourers were killed and 12 injured when a truck taking them to work was hit by a train.

KWV appoints new CEO

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Chairman and board of KWV Limited has announced that Matthys (Thys) Loubser has been appointed CEO.

By Ron Emler
Majestic Wine continued its pattern of unbroken growth in the six months to the end of September. Compared with the same period last year, profits before tax increased by 17% to 6.5 million

Hospices auction raises 5.05 million

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Rebecca Gibb
The 146th Hospices de Beaune auction raised 5.05 million (3.5 million) - almost identical to last year's sales figures, yet the 2006 vintage is not regarded as highly as that of 2005.

STOP PRESS - Philip Bowman, former Allied Domecq chief, joins Berrys

Published: 23 July, 2008

Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced the appointment of Philip Bowman - the former head of Allied-Domecq - to its main board as a new non-executive director.

The Interview - Angela Hayward and Paul Raymonde, directors, AP Vino

Published: 23 July, 2008

Angela Hayward and Paul Raymonde met in 2002, and discovered that they shared a passion for Italian wines. The couple launched AP Vino in 2004 with input from Angela's stepfather, Fausto Pesci, who worked for many years as a restaurateur, Italian wine consultant, and major importer of Italian wine into Spain and Germany. Last month, AP Vino launched a consumer website, D'Vino, which is also home to The Wine Club of Italy, a scheme that offers mixed cases of wines complete with full tasting notes. AP Vino's portfolio lists 58 wines from 12 producers. Exclusive agencies include La Scolca in Gavi (selected wines), Il Carpino in Friuli, Tenuta di Riseccoli in Greve, and Pinino in Montalcino. A former property developer in Italy, Raymonde is also a well-known cartoonist, whose works have appeared in Punch and Private Eye, among other publications.

Climate scare for Oz

Published: 23 July, 2008

Australia may have to dramatically change both its wine styles and preferred grape varieties due to climate change, according to a new report from the University of Melbourne and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Drinks giants report strong sales figures

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Ron Emler
The confidence expressed earlier this year by the world's largest wine and spirits groups is being borne out by latest sales figures.

New Bordeaux and California campaigns

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bordeaux launched a new global advertising campaign this week

Absolut enjoys sales increase of 13%

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Ron Emler
Sales of Absolut, the third-biggest brand of vodka, rose by 13% to just under $600 million in the first nine months of 2006. This helped Vin & Sprit, the Swedish alcohol monopoly, to report an 18% rise in operating profit in the same period. Overall sales across all brands rose by 3% to 18.3 million cases.

CERT invests in fine wine facility

Published: 23 July, 2008

Drinks logistics provider CERT Group is investing more than 20 million in a new fine wines facility at Hoddesdon.

Rebecca Gibb wins Circle of Wine Writers Young Wine Writer of the Year award

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Christian Davis
Rebecca Gibb is this year's Circle of Wine Writers' Young Wine Writer of the Year'. The 25-year-old from Stockton-on-Tees in north-east England won with an article on the Australian cool-climateregion Mornington Peninsula, in Victoria.

Torres backs Spain and Chile for future growth

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Christian Davis
Miguel Torres, the king of vinous Spain, backs his homeland for future growth and development but is also a big fan of Chile.

Parker hires Brit to work on website

Published: 23 July, 2008

Robert Parker has tapped a little-known Essex boy to bring a British perspective to his popular wine website.

Rosemount aims for Top 10 position

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Stuart Peskett
Australian brand Rosemount, which has seen sales decline markedly in the past few years, aims to be back in the top 10 wine brands in the UK by this time next year.

Casa Lapostolle

Published: 23 July, 2008

At first sight, Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle is an unlikely standard bearer for the wines of Chile. Yet the great granddaughter of the founder of Grand Marnier has been blazing a trail since she first visited the country in 1990.

Chile 2010

Published: 23 July, 2008

Talking to dozens of winemakers on a recent trip to New Zealand, a common topic of discussion was Sauvignon Blanc and what a double-edged sword it has become for the Kiwi industry. Sure, being known as the place that does brilliant Sauvignon' is a coup that gives a small wine country enormous global visibility, but it is also a potential glass ceiling that could stifle other aspects of the New Zealand industry.

Tyrrell's gives it both barrels

Published: 23 July, 2008

Australian producer Tyrrell's has just launched a top-end red wine from McLaren Vale.

Oz winemakers attempt to find the sweet spot

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Tom Cannavan
On a recent trip to McLaren Vale, a new winemaking technique was on everyone's lips: sweet spotting'.

New Zealand Winegrowers elect new chairman

Published: 23 July, 2008

Stuart Smith, a grape grower and winery owner in Marlborough, has been elected chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW), the national trade body. Smith will represent the industry in dealings with government and media for a one-year term. The position complements his role as chair of the national grape growers council.