News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Hawes quits Laymont & Shaw

Published: 23 July, 2008

John Hawes, the founder of award-winning Spanish specialist Laymont & Shaw, has left the company he sold to Vinoceros in 2003.

15 parties in for Lanson

Published: 23 July, 2008

The sale of Groupe Lanson (formerly Marne & Champagne) has moved forward significantly, and it has been revealed that there are 15 interested parties.

AUSTRALIA
Across the continent it appears to have been an extremely good year, with the happy combination of high - indeed, record high - quantity and quality. The chief reason for this success was the absence of extremes: a comparatively mild spring and summer, and a dry, warm autumn in most regions, resulting in a healthy, ripe crop. As always there were exceptions to the rule - a little frost and hail in Western Australia and Hunter Valley, New South Wales, in the early spring and summer, continuing drought in Hunter Valley, heavy rain for a few days in Eastern Victoria, and wet weather between the picking of the whites and the reds in Western Australia and New South Wales. But the exceptions were fewer than normal, and consistently high quality across all regions and varieties is one of the hallmarks of the vintage.

Charity Champagne

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Wine Trade Foundation is holding its annual Charity Champagne Reception at the Vintners Hall on Monday
14 November. Tickets cost 26 and include Champagne and canaps. Phone Camilla Vann at Justerini & Brooks for details: 020 7484 6400. Dress code is jacket and tie'.

The big slow down

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Slow Food movement, an international non-profit association founded as a response to the standardising' effects of fast food and the frenetic pace of the fast life', has been far from slow in spreading its doctrine. In less than 20 years, what began as a small gathering of food- and wine-loving friends in the Italian town of Bra has grown to 83,000 members in 107 countries.

The Interview: John Burton-Race

Published: 23 July, 2008

How did television's latest celebrity chef end up in Dartmouth?
Back from France, we were originally looking for a small country-house hotel. Then we heard that the Horn of Plenty, a place of pilgrimage once owned by the legendary Sonia Stevenson, was on the market, but prices had doubled in the last three years and we couldn't afford it. That brought us to the West Country, and we were about to take on a restaurant in Topsham when we were offered the Carved Angel. We initially turned it down because the owner wanted too much, but he persisted and we finally agreed a deal.

Chianti for PLB

Published: 23 July, 2008

PLB has added Chianti producer Piccini to its portfolio.
PLB's Alex Canneti, commented: Piccini is one of the major suppliers of Chianti that has consistently produced an export-oriented style with good intense colour, concentration and aroma. It is an ideal fit with PLB: not only is it a family company, it also has a 12% market share in the region and so is able to supply the right volume, quality and price to PLB's customers.'

Why no Sex?' asks Wine Report Stevenson

Published: 23 July, 2008

Top wine writer Tom Stevenson has used the introduction to the third edition of his annual guide to the wine world, Wine Report 2006, to launch an attack on the Portman Group.

Tesco flexes muscles

Published: 23 July, 2008

With most of the multiple retailer's wine-buying teams shrinking if not yet completely disbanding (see Harpers,
16 September), Tesco's wine-buying team appears to have returned to full strength after a difficult period.

Carson: I still have a job to do'

Published: 23 July, 2008

Though he has declared his intention to step down as
CEO of Constellation Europe within the next six months, Christopher Carson has told Harpers that he will still have a key role to play at the company over the next couple of years.
Carson, who will become non-executive chairman when a new CEO is appointed, said that much of his time will be taken up with helping his successor. The rest of his time, however, will be devoted to stepping forward on some serious issues affecting the trade on behalf of Constellation, as well as talking to government as part of the WSTA'.

Lockspeiser replaces Paul as WTAG chairman

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Wine Trade Action Group - the group of 30 leading wine companies - has elected a new chairman and committee.
Jerry Lockspeiser, managing director of Bottle Green, takes over from Western Wines managing director Michael Paul, who has led the group since its inception 18 months ago and was instrumental in bringing the various companies together.
Lockspeiser commented: I am delighted to be taking on the role from Mike Paul, whose leadership and enthusiasm in the last 18 months have been a driving force.'

Eurocave Manchester

Published: 23 July, 2008

Wine-storage specialist Eurocave UK is opening a Manchester brand of Around Wine, joining the existing one in London. The store will stock a full range of Eurocave cabinets and systems, as well as an extensive range of Riedel glassware. The launch party on 8 October will be hosted by Matthew Jukes.

Doyle joins MBL

Published: 23 July, 2008

Musgrove Budgens Londis has appointed Lyana Doyle as trading manager for spirits and fortified wine, she will be responsible for buying both categories in all Londis and Budgens stores. Doyle joins from Marks & Spencer, where she worked as fruit category industry merchandiser.

Cockburn's looks to education to drive sales

Published: 23 July, 2008

Consumer education, not heavy discounting, is the key to increasing Port sales in the UK, according to the brand manager for Cockburn's Port.

Wadsack teams up with Gallo for an adventure

Published: 23 July, 2008

IWSC Communicator of the Year, Joe Wadsack, has teamed up with E& J Gallo and wine education company Blue Tree, to launch Joe Wadsack's Wine Tasting Adventure'.

Jewell leaves Sainsbury's

Published: 23 July, 2008

Just one week since it took the IWC Supermarket of the Year crown, the Sainsbury's wine team has announced that it is to lose its second buyer in the space of a month.

Carson to leave Constellation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Wines Europe CEO Christopher Carson is set to step down from his position within six months.

The Interview: Dawn Davis

Published: 23 July, 2008

Have you always wanted to work in a restaurant?
Not really. My big plan was to become an actress and join RADA, but I didn't really like the people at the university drama group - they were too precious. So I chose rugby instead, which was a good move. We won the girls' rugby university final at Twickenham two years in a row. I played flanker and then winger, which means you have to run a lot. I don't have the time now but I'm still fit - restaurants are the best diet plan. Forget Atkins - just serve lunch and dinner, finishing at two in the morning.

Intelligence wins

Published: 23 July, 2008

Wine Intelligence, the specialist wine market-research and strategy consultant, has been named one of the UK's top 10 new companies after reaching the finals of the 2005 HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards.