Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Vincor deal confirmed

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Brands has finally completed its C$1.22 billion (590 million) acquisition of Canadian company Vincor - with both shareholder and court approval now given.

Aussie growers ask for government aid

Published: 23 July, 2008

An Australian grape grower representative has asked the federal government for a AUS$60 million bailout to prevent up to 40% of growers going out of business in the next two years.

France and SA lose out under three-for-two'

Published: 23 July, 2008

France and South Africa are the big losers at Threshers since the introduction of its buy-two-get-one-free' offer.

By Jack Hibberd
Christian Delpeuch has controversially stepped down from his position as president of the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) in protest against the inertia shown by various groups in dealing with Bordeaux's problems.

Waverley TBS returns to Hemel Hempstead

Published: 23 July, 2008

Five-and-a-half months after the Buncefield Depot explosion on 11 December, WaverleyTBS has moved back to Hemel Hempstead.

New CEO at Oddbins

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oddbins' managing director, Jacques Duley, is leaving the high street retailer with immediate effect.

Champagne Taittinger to stay in the family

Published: 23 July, 2008

Taittinger Champagne is set to return to the ownership of its founding family in a deal worth in excess of 600 million (410 million).

WOW summer party

Published: 23 July, 2008

Women of Wine is holding its annual summer party at Vivat Bacchus in Farringdon, London, on 21 June. Both men and women can attend, with tickets priced at 20 for members and 30 for non-members.

Which? barbecue wines

Published: 23 July, 2008

A Vergelegen Chardonnay from South Africa (9.49, Majestic) and a French Old Vines Grenache Noir from Marks & Spencer (5.49) are the top scorers and among the best buys in the Consumers' Association's Which? magazine On Test: Wines for Barbecues'.

Georgia targets UK

Published: 23 July, 2008

This week, just two months after Russia imposed an outright ban on the importation of wines from neighbouring Georgia, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Zurab Nogaideli, was in London promoting his country's wines at a trade and press tasting held at Vinopolis.

forthcoming events

Published: 23 July, 2008

8 May-19 June
Sotheby's - Regional Wine Course Spring Term - 34 New Bond Street, London W1A 2AA. Contact Sotheby's Wine Department on 020 7293 6423.

Nielsen confirms wine sales fall

Published: 23 July, 2008

Market analyst AC Nielsen has confirmed that off-trade wine sales have struggled since the turn of the year and have recently started to fall.

New vintage sparkler from Jacob's Creek

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jacob's Creek's chief winemaker Phil Laffer has revealed that the company's first vintage sparkling wine will be released in the UK by the end of the year.

Brewers merge wine arms

Published: 23 July, 2008

Cockburn & Campbell, the wine and spirits subsidiary of London brewer Young's, and Havelock Wines, owned by Bedford brewer Charles Wells, are to merge as part of the creation of a new company to produce the two brewers' beers.

Harrods ber alles

Published: 23 July, 2008

Harrods is promoting German wines for the first time in its history. With the World Cup just days away, one-third of the London store's wine shelf space will be devoted to German wine.

Perelada at one with nature

Published: 23 July, 2008

Spanish producer Castillo Perelada has announced details of a new 18 million winery.

Tempranillo namesakes identified as separate clones

Published: 23 July, 2008

After years of research, Spanish winemakers in Rioja and Ribera del Duero have claimed that Tempranillo, and all of its namesakes, such as Tinto Fino, Tinto de Toro and Tinta del Pais, are, in fact, different clones with their own flavour profiles.

Rishworth chairs NWWSA

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bob Rishworth, managing director of Chali Richards, the wine division of Halewood International, has been appointed chairman of the North West Wine and Spirit Association - a position he will hold for two years.

US comes top - again

Published: 23 July, 2008

The much-publicised 1976 Judgement of Paris' re-enactment - held simultaneously in London and Napa - once again came out heavily in favour of California's finest, which won the top five places, and generated widespread press coverage on both sides of the Atlantic.