US craft brewers head to Great British Beer Festival

Seventeen of America's craft breweries will be represented at this year's Great British Beer Festival (GBBF), running at London's Earl's Court from 5 to 9 August.

WKD in new cinema advertising campaign

A new, cinema-specific ad from WKD is set to entertain audiences and comes hot on the heels of two TV executions launched in May. Over nine million cinema-goers will see the ad between its summer launch and the end of December.

Returns from wine assets 'not acceptable', says Foster's chairman

Returns from the Foster's Group wine portfolio are "not acceptable", the company's chairman has said.

Scheid Vineyards loses $2.7m in Q1

Scheid Vineyards Inc announced today its financial results for the first quarter ended May 31, 2008.

115-year-old Veuve Clicquot Champagne discovered

The oldest ever bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne has been discovered locked away in a drinks cabinet in a Scottish castle.

InBev UK launches price-marked packs for Beck's

InBev UK is helping independent retailers generate incremental beer business - with the launch of price-marked promotional packs on key brands including Stella Artois, Beck's and Tennent's Lager.

The Bordeaux bruisers fight their corners, German wines are cooler than we think and Chile has one over its New World rivals...

Tim Atkin MW weighs up the recent head-to-head between Broadbent and Parker, Anthony Rose says Chile has a lot to smile about and Jamie Goode admits he is partial to a sweet wine or two.

The Independent

Anthony Rose is on Chile this week and how the ready supply of mountain water gives it the edge over Australia. His choices include the consumer friendly 2007 Viognier Cono Sur (£4.99, Somerfield) with its "peachy aromas and fresh finish" and the biodynamic 2005 Chardonnay Corralillo (£9.99, M&S), which is "rich in vanilla fudge aromas and fruit flavours". When it comes to Shiraz, Chile also has one over its New World rivals and is "capable of a more amenable and refreshing alternative".

The Financial Times

Jancis Robinson MW is addressing the stigma associated with German wines this week.

Cobra's new bottle design wins award

Cobra Beer has been awarded a GRAMIA for its new packaging design on its Cobra 5% Premium beer at the Grocery Advertising & Marketing Industry Awards 2008.

The Sunday Times

"Rosé, once the poor relation of the wine world, has become the toast of it in less time than it takes to mature a fine red," says Joanna Simon. The drink's image overhaul has seen it move from "naff, tasteless and effeminate" to "classless, ageless and sexless," she adds. And if you're thinking pink you should consider buying the 2007 Crow's Landing Cabernet Shiraz Rosé (£4.25, Co-op) with "bouncy, ripe briary fruit".

The Sunday Express

Jamie Goode has a sweet tooth this week to partner some classic summer puddings. The Moscato Freisa (£6.99, M&S) is the "perfect" accompaniment to strawberries and lunch parties. The man from the Sunday Express also recommends the "delicious" 2004 Chateau Haur Bergeron Sauternes (£9 half bottle, Asda) with "flavours of herbs, dried fruit, apricot, citrus peel and spice".

Stoli lined up for bidding war

Stolichnaya - the Russian vodka brand - could be subject to a bidding war resulting in a possible billion-dollar deal.
The news comes hot on the heels of Pernod Ricard's takeover of Swedish maker Absolut.

Direct Wines says staff losses were necessary

Chief executive, Simon McMurtrie, says shake-up is to help make the business profitable

Jack Daniel's ramps up production

The Guardian

Victoria Moore is on Soave and how in the past, the varietal became a "synonym for neutral and insipid". However, this is no longer the case, she adds, with the grape doing much "rowing back" from its reputation of old. The pick of her four choices with 4.5 stars out of five is the 2006 Soave Classico Inama Vin (£9.99, Majestic), which is rich without being a "blunderbuss".

The Sunday Telegraph

August's most pressing question is where to find the best Sauvignon Blanc, says Susy Atkins. Her top tip is that "only those from 2007 (very sparkly and bright) or 2006 (a little softer, more mellow) should make it into your fridge this August". Recommendations include the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Montana (£6.49, Tesco) and the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Leyda (£8.25, Great Western Wine), which is spot on with "soft goat's cheese and ripe tomatoes".

Pubs feel the heat as beer sales drop

Pubs were dealt a further blow today (July 28) as the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) reported beers sales were down 4.5% this quarter, compared with the same quarter last year.

The Observer

Tim Atkin MW is weighing up the recent heavyweight tasting bout between the "quintessential pinstriped Englishman" Michael Broadbent and the "slightly vulgar American" Robert Parker. Bordeaux provided the battle ground with Broadbent favouring "reds with higher acidity, subtle oak and more tannin" while Parker prefers "big, plush, ripely textured numbers with lots of new wood". What did Atkins ultimately feel of Parker and Broadbent's tasting notes? "Much to my surprise, I found myself agreeing with the former far more often than the latter."

Tiger Beer appointed exclusive distributors of Viru

Brand Independence Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Tiger Beer UK as exclusive UK distributors for their premium Baltic beer 'Viru'.