Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

"No complacency" over phylloxera

Published: 23 July, 2008

Australian producers have been warned not to be complacent over the potential for phylloxera outbreaks, according to Kevin Powell of DPI Rutherglen.

Henry speaks out on Australia's next big challenge

Published: 23 July, 2008

There are key issues that the Australian wine industry needs to address if it is to improve its performance in export markets, an Adelaide wine conference heard this week.

C&C group profits set to fall 35%

Published: 23 July, 2008

Magners cider producer profits hit by bad weather and increased competition

Alcohol charity calls for curb on supermarket promotions

Published: 23 July, 2008

Addaction - Britain's biggest specialist drug and alcohol treatment agency - is calling for a ban on supermarket discounting following a growing trend in teenagers drinking heavily before going out on the town.

Bacardi to drive flagship Dewar blend

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bacardi is to invest more than $250m (122.86m) in Scotch whisky production in a bid to drive global growth for its flagship Dewar's blend.

Gallo expands futher into Napa

Published: 23 July, 2008

E & J Gallo has bought Napa estate William Hill from Beam Wine Estates (BWE) for an undisclosed sum.

Fortune Brands reports dip in second-quarter results

Published: 23 July, 2008

Fortune Brands, the parent company of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, has reported net income of $232 million (114.18) for the second quarter of 2007, compared to $248m (122.03), in the same period a year ago.

Diageo launches 5m Smirnoff campaign

Published: 23 July, 2008

Diageo GB has launched its biggest ever marketing campaign for its Smirnoff vodka brand.

Cognac volumes to smash records

Published: 23 July, 2008

Volumes of production for Cognac in 2007 are expected to break current production records, latest figures show.

LVMH reports buoyant trading

Published: 23 July, 2008

Louis Vuitton Mot Hennessy (LVMH) has announced its profits increased 11% to 1,440m (966.5m) for the first half of 2007.

Facebook wine chooser's debut

Published: 23 July, 2008

American wine recommendation search engine Snooth has launched an application for the fast-growing Facebook Internet social network.

Roussillon food-matching event gets ready for 2007 launch

Published: 23 July, 2008

The second Roussillon Dessert Trophy, which looks for the best food match for a Roussillon dessert wine, is about to launch.

South Australian wine body launched

Published: 23 July, 2008

Southern Australian Barossa grape growers are to pay a levy of Aus$6 (2.52) to the Barossa Grape and Wine Association (BGWA), which is to be launched this September.

McWilliam's steps in to secure E&T deal

Published: 23 July, 2008

Debt-ridden winery Evans & Tate, which has been subject to a host of investment offers for more than a year, has finally accepted an offer from McWilliam's Wines.

Disney ditches wine promotion

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: Californian Wine Institute CWI) wins battle to force Walt Disney Co. to abandon its promotion of French wine in its latest cartoon movie - days before the first bottles of were set to hit the shelves in August.

Spirit drink producers reduce green house gases

Published: 23 July, 2008

Figures published by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), shows a reduction in the spirit drinks sector's carbon dioxide releases.