Currency update, October 13 - Bank of England comments cause sterling to fall

Sterling fell against both the euro and US dollar yesterday after downbeat comments from yet another member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee saw investors lose confidence in the UK economy.

Relaunch for Burn Stewart malts

Burn Stewart Distillers is to launch its entire malt whisky range in un-chillfiltered form.

Sign up now for the Chile Summit 2010

Join Harpers Wine & Spirit for a jam-packed day of masterclasses, educational tasting zones and panel debates at the inaugural Chilean Summit 2010 in association with Wines of Chile.

Jacob's Creek links up with Wimbledon

Jacob's Creek will be the official wine of Wimbledon from 2011 through to 2015.

Sterling dips against the US dollar

Sterling dipped marginally lower yesterday against the US dollar as concerns over further monetary easing encouraged investors to sell sterling as it failed to hold above $1.60/£1.

Drambuie's UK sales up 27%

Whisky liqueur Drambuie grew volumes by 27% in the UK last year, following a £1.7 million marketing campaign around its new bottle design.

Diageo's Rökk rolls into the US

Diageo has launched a Swedish rival to Pernod Ricard's Absolut vodka in the US market.

National TV campaign for Wolf Blass

Australian wine brand Wolf Blass has launched a national TV advertising campaign.

Wine Rack opens four new stores

Wine Rack's expansion plans have accelerated with four new shops opening in the last two months.

Wines in the press - October 7-10

The Times

Chairman's Reserve Spiced launched to on-trade

Available to the on-trade is Chairman's Reserve Spiced, the latest addition to the St Lucia Distillers range of rums imported by Emporia Brands.

Dom Pérignon goes Warhol

In the same silk-screen vein as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, Dom Pérignon has decided to pay tribute to the king of pop art, Andy Warhol, with an exclusive collection of pop art design Dom Pérignon Vintage 2002 (rrp £120).

Berry Bros wine trading website nets £1m

Berry Bros and Rudd's new online fine wine trading platform has netted £1 million in sales since opening in August.

The Macallan reaches 170,000 consumers with travelling lounge bar

The Macallan, has exceeded expectations in its 2009/10 sampling programme with the introduction of its travelling lounge bar.

Sterling strengthened against $US on Friday

Sterling strengthened against the US dollar on Friday, coming close to the eight-month high hit the previous day.

Pernod Ricard groups international wines together

Pernod Ricard is to group its key international wine brands together under one umbrella - Premium Wine Brands - following a strategic review.

Sterling broke through $1.60/£1 for first time in two months

Publicly-funded body calls for crackdown on 'supermarket booze'

A publicly-funded alcohol awareness body in the north-east has called on the government to crack down on "cheap supermaket booze" which it claims is closing pubs.

Prosecco Follador opens UK office

Brian Julyan receives first Court of Master Sommeliers lifetime award

Brian Julyan, chief executive of the Court of Master Sommeliers, was presented with a
Lifetime Achievement Award on October 6 at 28-50 wine bar in London. This
was the first time that the Court has made such an award.