California calling
Published: 23 July, 2008
Venue: Royal Horticultural Halls, London
Date: Tuesday 13 March, 10.30am-5.30pm
The Interview: Jorge Fernandez and Rick Wells, Proprietors, Fernandez and Wells, Soho, London
Published: 23 July, 2008
Jorge Fernandez, a Londoner of Spanish parentage, has spent most of his career conceptualising and running coffee bars. He opened the Caf at Foyles, which his wife now runs, and for several years was the general manager at the Monmouth Coffee Company. Rick Wells was born in Zimbabwe, where he lived until he was 10. He has spent his career to date reporting on Africa for the BBC, and a few years ago, pursuing his passion for wine, he started a small business sourcing and importing wines for friends. A regular Monmouth customer, Wells got to know Fernandez and realised that both dreamed of opening up a shop. Fernandez and Wells, a deli-cum-wine shop focusing on wine, cheese and cured meat from France, Italy and Spain, opened in January, and a new venue specialising in coffee, cake and chocolate will open later this year. Some wines are specially sourced by Wells, others are supplied by John Armit and Enotria .
Third region joins Austria appellation
Published: 23 July, 2008
A new region has joined Austria's growing appellation system as the country moves further to promote its wines by area rather than variety.
What's the attraction?
Published: 23 July, 2008
Can magnets affect the flavour of wine? A MW student stands to in a prize of US$1 million if his dissertation proves that controversial magnetic wine-improving devices actually work as claimed.
Yquem sale makes 775,000
Published: 23 July, 2008
The most extensive collection ever of Chteau d'Yquem has been sold for a record-breaking 775,000.
Malts make the mix
Published: 23 July, 2008
Blended Scotch accounts for around 90% of total Scotch whisky sales, which sounds great, but blends have been experiencing a gentle, sustained decline in the UK. There's a particular lack of understanding and appreciation among younger consumers, who are focused on vodka and its amazing mixability.
Foster's could be takeover target
Published: 23 July, 2008
Only two years after it took over Southcorp, Australia's largest wine producer, Foster's could itself become a takeover target. That is the conclusion of some analysts Down Under following publication of disappointing figures from Australia's leading drinks producer.
Phylloxera strikes in New Zealand
Published: 23 July, 2008
A wine estate in Wairarapa has been hit by phylloxera, making it likely that the entire region will become infected.
Record exports for France
Published: 23 July, 2008
French wine and spirit exports hit an all-time high in 2006. According to the Fdration des Exportateurs de Vins et de Spiriteux de France (FEVS), exports were up 12.9% in 2006, representing a total value of 8.74 billion.
New direction for United Brands
Published: 23 July, 2008
United Brands is under new management, and major changes have already been made.
Mdoc chteaux part company with Rolland
Published: 23 July, 2008
Michel Rolland is giving up his consulting work on 15 Mdoc and Graves properties as the left bank pushes for a more recognisable, Cabernet-focused style. Chteaux Kirwan in Margaux and de Fieuzal in Graves are among those that Rolland is leaving, but he will remain at Malescot, despite reports to the contrary. Rolland also wished to make it clear that he has never been associated with Chteau Branaire.
New 8.5% abv wine set for pubs
Published: 23 July, 2008
A new wine brand with an alcohol level of 8.5% by volume is to hit pubs in mid-April, and is likely to herald the emergence of a mid-strength wine category in the UK.
Watchdog looks at rapid drinking'
Published: 23 July, 2008
The Portman Group, the marketing watchdog of the drinks industry, has questioned whether the promotion of shooter' and slammer' shots should be curbed, as it prepares to publish its latest Code of Practice.
Constellation fears trouble ahead for 2008
Published: 23 July, 2008
Constellation Brands, the world's biggest wine producer, has warned investors net sales could fall by up to 14% in the next financial year as it continues to be hit by a combination of the glut of wine in Australia and intensifying private label competition in the UK.
Diageo shares up despite UK slump
Published: 23 July, 2008
Diageo's shares have risen by 23% in the past year and its figures for the half-year to 31 December show why.
A flavour of the nation
Published: 23 July, 2008
The Italian Trade Commission (ICE) will hold a UK trade tasting for the first time in eight years on Wednesday. With no generic body, Italian tastings in the UK have focused on single Italian regions that wanted to promote their wines, but now ICE has united more than 60 producers from the north, south and islands. Every producer will send a representative, and there will be a tasting in Dublin two days before the London event.
The spirit of success
Published: 23 July, 2008
If there has been one undisputed champion of the UK drinks market during the past decade it has been vodka. The clear viscous liquid with no discernible colour and little in the way of aroma or flavour has won over legions of (mostly younger) consumers, and in recent years has grown to become the UK's largest spirit category, accounting for around 28% of the UK market. The previous champion, blended whisky, has been sent sprawling on to the canvas by the young upstart and now holds just 25% of the total market (AC Nielsen total market MAT to end of December 2006). Overall, the vodka market has grown by 55% since 1997 (Euromonitor), reaching 75 million litres last year, an astonishing compound growth rate of around 5% each and every year.
The Interview: Chris Connolly, managing director, Connolly's (Wine Merchants) Ltd
Published: 23 July, 2008
Tucked under a railway arch beneath Snowhill station is a rare gem, Birmingham's only independent retail wine specialist. The Connolly family have been involved in the wine trade for over four generations, but the current business was established by Pat Connolly in 1976. Chris, then training as an estate agent, joined his father in 1979, simply to provide cover. Now 47, he has succeeded his father as managing director, and last year Connolly's celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Read more...Nyetimber set for huge expansion
Published: 23 July, 2008
Nyetimber Vineyards, the English sparkling wine company, is considering building a new winery to cope with its heavy planting programme.
Bordeaux bucks UK trend with 7% sales increase
Published: 23 July, 2008
Bordeaux sales in the UK were up 6% by volume and 7% by value in 2006, following a poor performance in the previous year.
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