by Stuart Peskett
It may have been a smaller event than two years ago, but the overriding reaction to Wine Australia 2006, which took place in Sydney last month, was extremely positive.
Shadow Trade & Industry Minister, Alan Duncan MP, has opened CERT drinks network's new 235,000 sq ft bonded distribution centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, which will act as a national hub for the delivery of drinks across the UK to the multiples, wholesalers and convenience stores.
Read more...Tesco is promising new consumer education initiaves
at this year's Tesco Wine Club Fairs - with improved masterclasses and a new Challenge Your Senses' zone.
Marco Pallanti, of the renowned Chianti Classico estate Castello di Ama, has been elected president of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium following a unanimous vote last month.
Read more...by Nicolas Belfrage MW and Franco Ziliani
One of the biggest names in traditional Italian viniculture, Bolla, may be on its way into the portfolio of the giant Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV).
Ecole du Vin, the Bordeaux-based wine school, will be running two courses in the autumn aimed at British women. Hosted by the CIVB and wine tutor Wendy Narby, the courses will feature lectures on wine and health as well as lunches and tastings, all conducted by women.
Read more...Jean Coussins is to leave the Portman Group after 10 years at the helm of the industry-funded watchdog and sensible drinking campaign group.
Read more...Oddbins is to end all price promotions on single bottles of table wine from 21 August in favour of reducing prices across its range.
Read more...Constellation Europe made it into the national newspapers for all the wrong reasons late last month after news leaked out that employees of Matthew Clark - Constellation's on-trade distribution arm - were being urged to buy the company's wines while they were being trialled at JD Wetherspoon pubs and claim the cost back on expenses.
Read more...A Scandinavian has won the Trophe Ruinart 2006 as the best European sommelier for the second time in a row.
Read more...Israeli industry in the firing line; 2006 harvest at risk.
Read more...Chilean winery Via Santa Rita has acquired 1,600 hectares (ha) of vineyard land - both virgin and planted - in the areas of Pumanque and Limar.
This purchase has almost doubled the land ownership of Santa Rita, from 2,000 to 3,600ha, making it the second-largest land-owning winery in Chile after Concha y Toro.
Pumanque, around 30km west of Apalta, has no other vineyard plantings at present, and Santa Rita has already installed irrigation, including a reservoir and 10km of pipes. A wide spectrum of grapes will be planted shortly.
Limar, situated 400km north of Santiago, is also a relatively new area, with Via Tabali the most high-profile producer in the area at present. Santa Rita has acquired 470ha in this region, 65 of which are already planted with Chardonnay, Shiraz, Carmnre and Cabernet Sauvignon. The remaining land will be planted over the next five years primarily with Chardonnay and Shiraz.
The International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) announced its 2006 trophy winners last week (20 July), with a Canadian Shiraz - 2004 Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Shiraz - scooping the Rosemount Trophy for Shiraz/Syrah, and an English sparkling wine, 1998 Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, being hailed as the world's best sparkling wine' after winning the Yarden Trophy for Bottled Fermented Sparkling Wine.
By Ron Emler
Patrick Ricard, the chairman of Pernod Ricard, has made no secret of his desire to own a major brand of tequila, and reports from New York suggest he is close to fulfilling that ambition and plugging a significant hole in the portfolio of the world's second-largest wines and spirits company.
By Richard Woodard
Port shippers fear that there may be a shortage of younger Ports, after the region's production limit for the 2006 harvest was set below annual sales for the fifth year in a row.
Les Vins Georges Duboeuf has has decided not to appeal against the court ruling - which saw the Beaujolais producer fined 30,000 - handed down against the company earlier this month.
Read more...Jim Beam Global has announced that it has finalised the sale of all the Cockburn's Port production facilities and stocks to Symington Family Estates (see Harpers 9 June).
Read more...By Jack Hibberd
Bacardi Rum has launched a new brand positioning - swapping a Latin spirit for a free-spirit' - backed with a new global advertising campaign.
Blavod Extreme Spirits continues to make big sales gains.
Read more...A new marketing strategy aimed at explaining the Australian offer across all price points has been unveiled by the AWBC.
Read more...
