News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wolf Blass on TV

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fresh from its summer of cricket sponsorship, Australian wine brand Wolf Blass is about to embark upon its first national UK TV advertising campaign.

First Drink's 18-million Christmas investment

Published: 23 July, 2008

First Drinks is targeting the Christmas period with a total marketing investment of 18 million', supporting both its brands and the retailers.

Two years ago, in a conference centre in Dublin, the drinks industry gathered to discuss what has become, in the context of governmental concern about the rising incidence of binge drinking, one of the major issues facing the drinks industry today: how to market alcohol responsibly and encourage sensible drinking. Spread over two days, the conference attracted top-level executives from all the major global drinks firms and retailers, and it also featured a programme of learned papers from experts on health, marketing and governmental policy. As one might expect at a conference, the first evening was a time for networking, or, in layman's parlance, an almighty bender. And so on the second morning, after surveying a roomful of bleary-eyed, tired and emotional delegates, the first speaker observed wryly: Well, if this is what happens at a conference on responsible drinking, I'd love to go and speak at an event on celibacy!'

Michigan shipping restrictions collapse

Published: 23 July, 2008

Michigan residents were last week granted full access to
wine from across America, when a federal court judge in Detroit lifted a 20-year ban on interstate, direct-to-consumer shipping.

Six new MWs enter the fold

Published: 23 July, 2008

Six new members were admitted to the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) at its Annual Reception and Awards Ceremony on 2 November, bringing the overall membership to 250.

Ryanair launches wine club' with Majestic

Published: 23 July, 2008

Majestic Wine Warehouses has teamed up with Ryanair to offer cases of wine over the Internet. Speaking at the launch last week, Lesley Kane, head of Ryanair Direct, said: Go to www.ryanair.com, home of the cheapest flights in Europe and also of great-quality inexpensive wine.'

Beelgara leaves Hallgarten

Published: 23 July, 2008

Hallgarten's German parent company has invested in an Australian wine company, Berton Vineyards, and has ended its distribution agreement with Beelgara as a result.

Sir Cliff splits from Fells

Published: 23 July, 2008

Vida Nova, Sir Cliff Richard's Portuguese wine, has moved unexpectedly from John E Fells - which has successfully gained distribution for the wine in Tesco.com and Waitrose - to new company Explore Wine. The decision to move the brand is believed to have been made by the Cliff Richard Organisation.

LFE moves into San Antonio

Published: 23 July, 2008

Chilean producer, Via Luis Felipe Edwards (LFE) has purchased 162 hectares of land in the Leyda Valley sub zone of the recently discovered San Antonio Valley.
Located 10 kilometres from the Pacific Coast, the new vineyards will be planted predominantly with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with smaller plots of Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Riesling. Planting of the first 60 hectares will commence in 2006, with the first harvest anticipated in 2009.

Cheviot Bridge invests

Published: 23 July, 2008

Australian wine company, Cheviot Bridge, has bought the South-Australian vineyard management company, Kirribilly Group. The listed company will now have the second-biggest vineyard property trust in Australia.
This is an exciting opportunity for Cheviot shareholders, allowing the company to diversify from purely distributing and marketing wines into wine industry asset management,' said Paul Bachelor, chairman of Cheviot.

Turner Road ad campaign

Published: 23 July, 2008

California wine brand Turner Road is to launch a national consumer advertising campaign that aims to reach more than 10 million target consumers.

Bruichladdich and Yquem

Published: 23 July, 2008

Islay distillery Bruichladdich has matured its new 2nd Edition' malt in barrels from Premier Grand Cru Class Sauternes Chteau d'Yquem.

Confusion reigns in trade as Licensing Act deadline looms

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the deadline for the enforcement of the Licensing Act less than two weeks away, confusion still reigns in the trade as applicants continue to receive conflicting advice from the government and local authorities over whether or not they require a licence - and, if they do, what kind they require.
Wholesalers and distance sellers are at the centre of the confusion, and the Wine & Spirit Trade Association claims that it has lost count' of the number of calls it has received asking for advice on the new legislation.

Musgrave brings together Budgens and Londis

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Musgrave Group, Ireland's largest grocery distributor,
is close to completing the complete integration of the
beer, wines and spirits operations of its Budgens and Londis
retail outlets.

Somerfield completes largest-ever range review

Published: 23 July, 2008

Somerfield has unveiled what its wine trading manager Angela Mount has called the biggest range review in 10 years, with more than 200 changes'. It has also claimed that its wine sales are growing at nearly three times the average growth rate among the multiple retailers as a result.

Tesco relaunches its club

Published: 23 July, 2008

Tesco has launched a new-look wine club intended to encourage customers to experiment more with wine and move up the quality scale. It's free to join, and the membership currently stands at 465,000, with a target of 500,000 by February 2006. Benefits for the member will include access to wines and offers not available in-store, special discounts, the chance to enter competitions and invitations to Tesco wine events, such as the recent Tesco Wine Fairs in Manchester and London in October this year.

A vintner's tail

Published: 23 July, 2008

John Casella is the Pete Waterman of wine. For those familiar with the two, that might sound an unlikely comparison, and certainly the softly spoken family man behind Yellow Tail has next to nothing in common with brash pop impresario Waterman in terms of personality, career, origins or lifestyle. And yet, consider the two men's fates. Waterman, most recently a pundit on TV's Pop Idol and several of its spin-offs, was formerly the Svengali behind the careers of such 1980s pop puppets as Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. Through these and other ciphers he has been responsible for more number-one singles than The Beatles and earned himself millions of pounds in royalties; still, despite all of this success, something rankles with him: critical approval has always eluded him. In fact, Waterman's name in rock and pop critical circles and beyond is all but synonymous with naff, manufactured rubbish.

The Interview: John Hoskins MW

Published: 23 July, 2008

How did you come to own a hotel and three pubs?
It was a family business, which I joined after university. I had no intention of going into the trade, but my uncle asked me to help out because he had a ropy old list full of spelling mistakes and bad wine. That's all gone now, although we're different from, say, the Hotel du Vin, where a sommelier chooses each list at every place. I've always been scared of the person with grapes on the lapel, and I think customers are as well. Because our lists are full of comments and laid out by style, it's amazing how little we get asked for advice.

Albannach opens club

Published: 23 July, 2008

London's Scottish bar and restaurant, Albannach, has launched a whisky club.
Named Aqua Vitae, the club will cost 35 to join (10 for the trade), and will meet monthly to showcase rare vintage casks and special blends and editions. Tickets for events will coast 15 (non-members; 5 for members) with food and drink provided.

Escarpment joins Seckford

Published: 23 July, 2008

Seckford Wine Agencies has added New Zealand's Escarpment range to its portfolio. Escarpment is made by Larry McKenna, former chief winemaker and general manager at Martinborough vineyard. The range consists of a Pinot Gris (RSP 8.99) and a Pinot Noir (RRP 14.99).