Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Berry Bros stars in BBC4 programme

Published: 31 January, 2009

A new BBC4 mini-series about the wine trade is devoting its first programme to a profile of Berry Bros & Rudd.

New Zealand screwcap pioneer dies

Published: 30 January, 2009

New Zealand winemaker Ross Lawson, founder of Lawson's Dry Hills, has died aged 66.

Cockburn's to invest £500,000

Published: 30 January, 2009

Cockburn's is being supported by Beam Global this year with a £500,000 campaign targeting "modern men aged 35-plus".

Access to take half of Diamond Wodka

Published: 30 January, 2009

American wine and spirits producer Access Beverage has agreed to buy a 50% stake in Belgian vodka company Diamond Wodka.

Global slump hits Fortune

Published: 30 January, 2009

Fortune Brands saw net sales drop 11% in 2008 as effects of the global downturn began to take hold.

New marketing boss for Provence wines

Published: 29 January, 2009

Provence Wines (CIVP) has appointed Géry Viziale as its new marketing director.

Parents should not give alcohol to under-15s

Published: 29 January, 2009

The drinks industry is under further pressure today following the advice of the Government's chief medical officer that parents should never give alcohol to children under the age of 15.

Beam distribution deal for US states

Published: 28 January, 2009

Southern Wines & Spirits of America (SWSA) has signed a long-term deal for the exclusive distribution rights to Beam Global products in 21 US states.

Diageo distillery to go green

Published: 28 January, 2009

Diageo has begun work on a £65 million bio-energy facility at its Cameronbridge distillery in Scotland.

Harveys aims for younger audience

Published: 28 January, 2009

Harveys is hoping to attract a younger female audience as part of a £750,000 investment by Beam Global UK.

Benet Slay to be Diageo's new North European boss

Published: 28 January, 2009

Benet Slay, managing director for Diageo UK, is from July 1 to become managing director for Diageo Northern Europe.

Wine heroes speak out for Wine +

Published: 28 January, 2009

Ahead of next week's Wine + on-trade event in London the organisers are releasing online interviews with three "Wine Heroes" chosen to represent different areas of the UK restaurant scene.

Beaujolais producers on trial

Published: 28 January, 2009

Fifty-two Beaujolais producers have gone on trial in France for allegedly adding illegal amounts of sugar to their wines.

Diageo in talks with India's United Spirits

Published: 28 January, 2009

Diageo has confirmed that talks are being held about the possible purchase of a stake in the Indian drinks giant United Spirits, headed by Vijay Mallya.

Scottish tasting to celebrate Australia Day

Published: 27 January, 2009

The Scottish wine trade is celebrating Australia Day in style today in Edinburgh with the first of two generic tastings being held in the UK this week by Wine Australia.

Brintex has appointed Nick Blair, wine director at Pernod Ricard UK, as the new chairman of the London International Wine Fair and Distil Advisory Board. Fiona Corfield from Palmer and Harvey has also joined the Board.