News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

ACS warns against councils setting own licensing fees

Published: 18 February, 2011

ACS, the trade bode body representing shops, has warned against a government move allowing councils to set their own alcohol licensing fees.

Search for France's Top 100 IGP wines begins

Published: 18 February, 2011

The search for France's top 100 wines under the IGP quality designation has begun, and producers have until February 25 to enter their wines.

The Top 100 IGP competition, formerly knows as the Top 100 Vins de Pays, has changed its name to correspond with changes to EU labelling regulations.

The Top 100 French wines under the Indication Géographique Protégée designation is seen as a benchmark for quality in the category and will highlight a diverse list of wines selected by a panel of industry experts. Targeted entirely at the UK market, it is funded by the five following groups: IGP Intervins Sud Est, IVSO, Val de Loire, AIR SUD and INTER OC.

Wine columnist Tim Atkin MW will chair a judging panel comprising 15 people from the UK wine trade, encompassing buyers, independent merchants, journalists and sommeliers. These judges will attend a blind tasting in March, where the list will be selected and trophy winners will be decided.

The 100 wines which make the grade will be available to taste on the dedicated Top 100 IGP stand at the London International Wine Fair, where trophy winners will also be announced. The LIWF runs from May 17 to 19 2011.

The winning wines will be supported by an ongoing PR and marketing campaign, involving national press activity, independent retailer initiatives, and a consumer-facing promotion with a leading French restaurant group.

Producers should submit their wines for the tasting via www.top100igpfrance.com from now until February 25 2011.

Burgundy wines back to pre-recession prices

Published: 18 February, 2011

Burgundy wines are back to pre-recession prices, according to Bordeaux Index.

A rollercoaster ride for sterling as interest rate speculation continues

Published: 18 February, 2011

The rollercoaster ride for sterling continued yesterday, as a speech by Bank of England policymaker Andrew Sentance reignited speculation over interest rate hikes.

Rosemount launches 'Diamond Friends' Facebook campaign

Published: 17 February, 2011

Rosemount has launched 'Diamond Friends' - a social media campaign, designed to raise the brand's profile and engage with the consumer.

Champagne Summit: Jamie Goode video interview on Vintage masterclass

Published: 17 February, 2011

As part of Harpers Wine & Spirit's Champagne Summit on February 15, Jamie Goode conducted a blind tasting masterclass of Vintage and Non Vintage Champagnes.
You can catch a short interview between Goode and the International Wine Challenge's Ray O'Connor by clicking on the following link: http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/blog/

Distell sales hit hard by exchange rate

Published: 17 February, 2011

South African wine and spirits conglomerate Distell's sales gains have been hard hit by unfavourable exchange rates and a less profitable sales mix.

Wines of Turkey tasting - last chance to register

Published: 17 February, 2011

It is the last chance to register for 'Discover the Roots', the inaugural Wines of Turkey conference & tasting 2011.

Net profits up 10% at Pernod Ricard

Published: 17 February, 2011

Net profits are up 10% at French drinks giant Pernod Ricard thanks to strong sales growth of strategic brands in emerging markets.

Centre-Loire Wines appoints Sopexa for 2011 programme

Published: 17 February, 2011

Centre-Loire Wines (BIVC) has appointed Sopexa UK, to manage its 2011 UK public relations trade campaign.

Drake & Morgan launches fifth site

Published: 17 February, 2011

London bar group Drake & Morgan is launching its fifth site, The Drift, in the newly developed Heron Tower in Bishopsgate in early June.

Sterling drops after Tuesday's gains

Published: 17 February, 2011

Sterling dropped yesterday, eradicating gains after the Bank of England's Quarterly Inflation Report doused market expectations of interest rate hikes.

Virgin Wines to double its consumer tasting programme

Published: 16 February, 2011

Virgin Wines is to double its national consumer wine tasting programme for 2011 by visiting more UK cities.

Fake alcohol on the rise

Published: 16 February, 2011

Trading Standards have warned retailers to be extra vigilant after officers found a high level of counterfeit alcohol in off-licences.

UK Champagne consumption back to pre-recession levels

Published: 16 February, 2011

Champagne consumption in the UK is back to pre-recession levels, according to data from Wine Intelligence.

Bargain Booze ad cleared of being irresponsible

Published: 16 February, 2011

An advert offering students the chance to win a year's supply of drink from off-licence Bargain Booze in Crewe has been cleared of being irresponsible.

Sud de France announces 2011 programme

Published: 16 February, 2011

Sud de France Export (Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon) has announced its marketing and events programme for 2011.

Sterling strengthens due to inflation jump

Published: 16 February, 2011

Sterling strengthened against both the US dollar and euro yesterday following another jump in consumer price inflation in the UK.

Fosters demerger to go ahead in May

Published: 15 February, 2011

Foster's has announced it will pursue the demerger off its wine business from the core beer division and create two independent ASX listed companies.

First Gamay Symposium attracts 11 countries

Published: 15 February, 2011

The first Gamay Symposium, aimed at raising consumer and professional awareness of the grape, saw over 600 entries from 11 different countries and 167 medals won.