Constellation given June 29 deadline to bid for Allied

Constellation Brands has been given until 29 June by the Takeover Panel in the City of London to make a formal counter offer for Allied Domecq.

Napa Valley wins in court

The California Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Napa Valley Vintners, thus ensuring that any wine that carries the word Napa' on the label contains wine made from at least 75% Napa grapes.

English wine producers get Defra funding

East Sussex wine producers, RidgeView, Davenport and Breaky Bottom, have received funding amounting to more than 345,000 under Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affiars (Defra) funding schemes delivered by the Rural Development Service (RDS).

2005 South African vintage 12% down on last year

The 2005 vintage in South Africa is almost 12% down on 2004, according to Wines of South Africa (WOSA).

WSTA joins forces to fight new EU labelling

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has been working with the Comit Europen des Enterprises Vins (CEEV) on a submission to the European Commission, to respond to the suggestion that allergen warnings on wine labels would have to be written in each EU member state's language.

Chapel Down upgraded

After an ambitious refurbishment project lasting five months and representing an investment of 500,000, the new look Chapel Down winery and Fine Food store was re-opened to the public in time for the St George's Day weekend.

Burge moves to Hatch

UK distributor Hatch Mansfield has taken on its first new producer in seven years, Barossa premium winemaker Grant Burge.

Andrew Firth, Managing director, Playford Ros, North Yorkshire

Brown Brothers honours Patricia

A new range from Australian wine producer Brown Brothers has been named in honour of the company's matriarch'.

Primeur Penfolds

Penfolds is offering two special-release 2004 vintage wines en primeur': a Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon and Bin 60A, a homage to the legendary Bin 60A.

New MD at Goedhuis

After 24 years as managing director of Goedhuis & Company, Johnny Goedhuis is stepping down.

Record numbers at LIWSF

LIWSF organiser Brintex is claiming its most successful event to date with a gross visitor attendance of 19,024.

Bruichladdich posts profit

Bruichladdich, the single malt whisky producer formed in 2001, has announced an inaugural profit of 200,000 in 2004 . The profits were based on an export-led sales increase of 38%.

Southern French generics pull together

A new strategy from the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Languedoc (CIVL) and Oc Wines sees the generic activity for the UK market linked by a joint export campaign: South of France Wines.

Foster's secures Southcorp UPDATE

Four months after first tableing a bid, the Foster's Group is now just a week away from assuming total control of Southcorp, having announced this week that it has acquired 92% of its Australian rival's shares.

Playing the yield

If you think that in 2004 Champagne produced a maximum of 12,000kg/ha, or even 14,000kg/ha if the blocage is included (as it will be one day when, hey presto, it becomes AOC Champagne), then think again, because it was 23,000kg/ha (146.6hl/ha) according to press-house records.

Constellation's Emu

Constellation Europe is launching a new brand from South Australia on the UK market, Four Emus.

First MW of 2005 as Institute moves

The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) has named the first new MW of the year and has also announced that it has secured a new home.

Threshers vindicated by Harpers debate research

Thresher Group's decision to concentrate on three-for-two discounts was vindicated last week after research produced for the Harpers debate at the LIWSF showed it is consumers' preferred discount mechanic.

Midori on TV

Midori melon liqueur is running a TV advertising campaign for the first time in 15 years.