News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Rmy chief denies sale rumour

Published: 23 July, 2008

Dominique Hriard-Dubreuil, the chairman of Rmy Cointreau, has sought to reduce speculation that the French spirits and Champagne company might be sold.

WHERE: Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London NW1
WHEN: Monday, 15 January 2007 from 11am-5pm and Tuesday, 16 January 2007 from 10am-5pm
CONTACT: Alison Power at New Zealand Winegrowers on 020 7973 8079

Full speed ahead

Published: 23 July, 2008

In the UK wine market, where suppliers have been lashed by flat sales - and some countries have started to sink, New Zealand continues to ride a wave of success. But sea changes are already underway for 2007, as the States look set to overtake the UK as New Zealand's primary export destination - despite the Kiwis sending more wine to Britain than ever before.

Height of fame

Published: 23 July, 2008

Grapes grown at altitude taste different. As you go higher, temperatures drop and the fruit is exposed to more ultraviolet (UV) light. Higher UV leads to higher levels of anthocyanins (and therefore darker-coloured wines) as well as enhanced production of protective compounds - most notably the phytoalexin resveratrol.

The Interview: Peter Nixson, Wine buyer, British Airways

Published: 23 July, 2008

Peter Nixson joined BOAC as cabin crew in 1973 after being thrown out of university for failing his first year exams. In 1986, Business Traveller magazine did a survey of the wine served on board airlines, and BA came 16th out of 16. The CEO wanted to see an improvement, so a secondment was created for someone to join the catering team. Peter joined the team in 1986, became BA's wine and beverage development manager in 1990, and has been there ever since.

McGuigan Simeon moves to Waverley

Published: 23 July, 2008

Distribution for Australian producer McGuigan Simeon Wines has moved to WaverleyTBS, ending a 14-year partnership with Vinoceros.

Poor results for Constellation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Brands, which claims to be the world's largest producer of branded wines, has blamed poor performance in the UK for its disappointing third-quarter financial results.

And, finally...

Published: 23 July, 2008

Police in the Chinese capital, Beijing, put a stop to a winemaker's planned mass nude run' on Christmas Eve.

Retailers see strong Christmas trading

Published: 23 July, 2008

By EUNICE MURRISON

Wine retailers across the UK enjoyed a healthy Christmas trading period. Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) and Lay & Wheeler both saw double-digit year-on-year growth, while Majestic's like-for-like sales rose by 4.4%.

UK to be top EU spenders by 2010

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK wine drinkers will spend more on still and sparkling wine than any other European country by 2010, according to new research from Vinexpo.

Black Bottle launches new website

Published: 23 July, 2008

Black Bottle was repackaged earlier in 2006, and now has a new website to complete its revamp: www.blackbottle.com.

WOW celebrates Christmas

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Women of Wine (WoW) Christmas party was held at the Met Hennessy HQ in London's Mayfair last month.

BOB gets jiggy

Published: 23 July, 2008

The newly formed northern branch of Buddies of the Benevolent (BOB) is celebrating Burns Night on 25 January from 7.30pm in Freemasons Hall, central Manchester.

2007 predictions: another tough year

Published: 23 July, 2008

We asked key figures in the UK wine trade for their predictions for 2007. This is what they said:

Matthew Clark increases Italian range

Published: 23 July, 2008

Three new Italian agencies have been added to the Matthew Clark portfolio: Ruffino, Fontana Candida and Bigi.

Diageo heads into China

Published: 23 July, 2008

Diageo has taken a step forward in the Chinese market by entering a joint venture with Sichuan Chengdu Quanxing.

Blavod in takeover talks

Published: 23 July, 2008

Blavod Extreme Spirits is continuing talks with an unidentified suitor about a potential takeover bid, but its latest financial results will not have increased its attractions.

Duval-Leroy in UK land purchase?

Published: 23 July, 2008

The world could toast the success of athletes at London's 2012 Olympics with Bride Valley Brut English sparkling wine if a joint venture between Champagne Duval-Leroy and wine writer Steven Spurrier comes to fruition.

Absolut vodka primed for sale

Published: 23 July, 2008

By RON EMLER

The Swedish government has effectively fired the starting gun in the race to buy Absolut vodka.

Jackson appoints Fells for UK

Published: 23 July, 2008

John E Fells will now be responsible for sales and distribution of wines for Jackson Wine Estates, whose portfolio includes Kendall-Jackson in California, Via Caline in Chile, and Yangarra Estate in McLaren Vale, Australia.