Coquard targets UK

Maison Coquard - the innovative Beaujolais producer run by Christophe Coquard - is set to embark on a new UK push in partnership with Eddie Mosdell.

Bonny Doon sells big brands

When Randall Grahm, sometimes known as the wizard of Bonny Doon, sold off his Big House and Cardinal Zin brands in late July, he cut the annual production of Bonny Doon winery from over 400,000 cases to barely 40,000 cases. An unusual step in the wine business, when every day seems to bring news of the global conglomerates getting bigger as they gobble up the little guys.

Cowan to leave Lion Nathan

Peter Cowan, the South African managing director of the Lion Nathan Wine Group, has resigned and will leave the business at the end of the year.

Men wanted for WSET 'wine' dating service

A new wine dating service launched by Nicolla Greaves at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has been inundated with interest from lonely women but can't find enough men to meet them.

Spier appoints Cube

South African wine producer Spier has appointed Cube Communications to handle its trade and consumer PR in the UK. The company has given itself the target of becoming one of the top three South African brands in the UK by 2008. It recently secured new listings in Tesco and Waitrose.

Alex Anson and Laura Jewell join WSET

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has added Laura Jewell MW of HwCg and Alex Anson of Thresher Group to
its Awards Supervisory Board (ASB).

White Armagnac recognised

The white eaux-de-vie traditionally produced in the Armagnac region has been awarded its own AOC, known as La Blanche.

On-trade back in growth

The UK on-trade wine market is back in growth after a poor performance in 2005, according to the latest figures released by AC Nielsen.

Montes invests in Napa

Chilean winery Via Montes is investing in a new venture in California's most famous wine region, the Napa Valley.

Brown-Forman wins race for Tequila brand Herradura

by Ron Emler
Brown-Forman, which produces Jack Daniel's and Finlandia vodka, has won the battle to purchase Herradura Tequila, its $876 million offer beating off rival bids from Bacardi and Pernod Ricard.

Chamarr hits the target

By Jack Hibberd
Chamarr - arguably the most ambitious French wine launch in history - is on track to be the biggest French brand in the UK within five years, according to its owners.

Australia - state of the art

Lindemans goes global; Rosemount relaunched

by jack hibberd
It's all happening Down Under. And it's all happening for Foster's. On the same day that the Australian drinks giant announced its full-year results (and rumours circulated that it was an acquisition target) it released its bold plans to revitalise the ailing Rosemount brand and launched a new range that takes Lindemans global.

Codornu appoints Westbury

Leading Cava producer Codornu has appointed PR consultancy Westbury Communications to handle its UK activity.
The campaign, which will comprise media activity and events, will focus on educating consumers about the brand's heritage and its innovative approach to Cava-making.

Aldo Zilli

This a big year for you with the 10th anniversary of Zilli Fish as well as the publication of a new book. Are you doing anything to celebrate?
We've given the restaurant a facelift. It used to be all blue and fishy, so to speak, but now we've gone a bit more contemporary and neutral. We let the food do the talking now, not the design - simple design but very good food and service. After 10 years, it was about time for a facelift. People do it to themselves and restaurants need it too.

Women of Wine with cheese

Women of Wine (WOW) is holding a cheese and wine evening on 26 September at La Fromagerie in Moxton Street, London. Twelve wines will be matched with British and Continental cheeses, and there will be cheese experts on hand to offer advice and information. Email womenofwine.yahoo.
com for more information.

Tesco to increase number of stores selling fine wine

Tesco is expanding the fine wine fixture it introduced in March - with both the number of lines and the number of stores that stock them being increased.

Waitrose backs New World

Waitrose is giving the New World a boost with a New World Wine Showcase to be held in all branches from 4 to 24 September.

Riedel versus Zwiesel: who will shatter first?

Zwiesel Kristallglas AG claims that rival glass company Riedel, Nachtmann and Spiegelau has misrepresented the facts of a dispute over marketing material in a recent statement to the industry.

Profile - Mark Williamson, Mr Waitrose

Suggest to Mark Williamson that Waitrose is middle-class, and he quivers. It's so remarkable that it's worth saying again - and he quivers again. The phrase middle-class' is clearly a tricky one: he prefers the description people who appreciate good food and wine, regardless of what car they're driving'.