Champagne region expands to 357 villages

France's highly prized Champagne appellation will be officially expanded, it was announced last week (Thursday March 14).

Record results for Morrisons

Morrisons has reported like-for-like sales (excluding fuel) up by 4.6% for the year to 3 February, on sales up 6% to 13bn.
And pre-tax profit soared to 612m, up from 369m in 2006-07.

TV advertising return for Russian Standard Vodka

Russian Standard, Russia's number one premium vodka distributed in the UK by First Drinks Brands, returns to the TV screens next Monday (17 March 2008) with a new 2.6m national advertising campaign.

Hardy Wine Company looks to stars with name change

The Hardy Wine Company has announced it new trading name will become Constellation Wines Australia.

New Yorker pockets $1.7m from rare wines auction

V Cheryl Womack, a US entrepreneur and established wine collector, has sold off half of her collection for millions of dollars.

Drinkaware campaign gaining momentum

Beefeater Gin sponsors London Hackney cabs

Beefeater Gin has sponsored advertising on a fleet of 15 traditional London Hackney cabs.

WDF sold by BAA for 550m

World Duty Free Europe Limited (WDF) has been sold by BAA for 546.6 million to the Autogrill Group.

Day 26 of Clare Valley Vintage - It's getting hot down here

G'day Folks. This vintage is HOT quite literally.

Threshers restructures with three-pronged approach

The Threshers Group has embarked on a major restructuring programme that will focus on three national UK formats targeted at three types of consumer profiles.

Fine wine sales rocket at BB&R

Sales of fine wine have jumped at Berry Bros. & Rudd (BB&R) since the Hong Kong authorities ditched duty on alcohol.

Villa Maria picks up NZ Champion Wine Award

Villa Maria's Reserve Syrah 2006 has won the Champion Wine of Show Trophy in the 2008 Royal Easter Show.

Grant's whisky puts Teachers in its sights

Spirits company First Drinks Brands has set is itself the ambitious target of making Grant's Family Reserve the number-three blended whisky in the UK by 2012, behind Bell's and The Famous Grouse but ahead of Teacher's Highland Cream.

Day 28 of the Clare Valley Vintage - Let's talk Terroir

G'day Folks. Perhaps it's the weather, maybe the planets aren't aligned or maybe the dog ate my homework.. je ne sais pas but I gotta tell you.. I've had it.. I'm crushed.

Healthy news for middle-aged drinkers

Middle-aged adults can reduce their risk of heart disease by more than a third by drinking alcohol, a new study shows.

FirstCape wine sponsors 2009 Lions Tour

South African wine label FirstCape has announced a new sponsorship deal with the British & Irish Lions team.

WSTA launches guide on responsible alcohol sales

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has published a guide designed to aid trade members in practicing responsible alcohol retailing.

Day 23 of Clare Valley Vintage - There's no Riesling with me

G'day Folks. I think it's safe to say that after the last couple of days fine tuning juices - I've officially been Ries'ld.

Double digit growth for Asian wine market

There will be growth of between 10-20% in the next five years within the Asian wine market.

Rioja steps up 2008 marketing activity

Wine producers from Rioja are ramping up their marketing strategy in 2008 with a generic consumer advertising campaign, a new Wines from Rioja corporate logo and a two-day tapas festival in London.