Majestic Wine Warehouses has teamed up with Ryanair to offer cases of wine over the Internet. Speaking at the launch last week, Lesley Kane, head of Ryanair Direct, said: Go to www.ryanair.com, home of the cheapest flights in Europe and also of great-quality inexpensive wine.'
Hallgarten's German parent company has invested in an Australian wine company, Berton Vineyards, and has ended its distribution agreement with Beelgara as a result.
Vida Nova, Sir Cliff Richard's Portuguese wine, has moved unexpectedly from John E Fells - which has successfully gained distribution for the wine in Tesco.com and Waitrose - to new company Explore Wine. The decision to move the brand is believed to have been made by the Cliff Richard Organisation.
Chilean producer, Via Luis Felipe Edwards (LFE) has purchased 162 hectares of land in the Leyda Valley sub zone of the recently discovered San Antonio Valley.
Located 10 kilometres from the Pacific Coast, the new vineyards will be planted predominantly with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with smaller plots of Gewurztraminer, Viognier and Riesling. Planting of the first 60 hectares will commence in 2006, with the first harvest anticipated in 2009.
Australian wine company, Cheviot Bridge, has bought the South-Australian vineyard management company, Kirribilly Group. The listed company will now have the second-biggest vineyard property trust in Australia.
This is an exciting opportunity for Cheviot shareholders, allowing the company to diversify from purely distributing and marketing wines into wine industry asset management,' said Paul Bachelor, chairman of Cheviot.
California wine brand Turner Road is to launch a national consumer advertising campaign that aims to reach more than 10 million target consumers.
Islay distillery Bruichladdich has matured its new 2nd Edition' malt in barrels from Premier Grand Cru Class Sauternes Chteau d'Yquem.
With the deadline for the enforcement of the Licensing Act less than two weeks away, confusion still reigns in the trade as applicants continue to receive conflicting advice from the government and local authorities over whether or not they require a licence - and, if they do, what kind they require.
Wholesalers and distance sellers are at the centre of the confusion, and the Wine & Spirit Trade Association claims that it has lost count' of the number of calls it has received asking for advice on the new legislation.
The Musgrave Group, Ireland's largest grocery distributor,
is close to completing the complete integration of the
beer, wines and spirits operations of its Budgens and Londis
retail outlets.
Somerfield has unveiled what its wine trading manager Angela Mount has called the biggest range review in 10 years, with more than 200 changes'. It has also claimed that its wine sales are growing at nearly three times the average growth rate among the multiple retailers as a result.
Tesco has launched a new-look wine club intended to encourage customers to experiment more with wine and move up the quality scale. It's free to join, and the membership currently stands at 465,000, with a target of 500,000 by February 2006. Benefits for the member will include access to wines and offers not available in-store, special discounts, the chance to enter competitions and invitations to Tesco wine events, such as the recent Tesco Wine Fairs in Manchester and London in October this year.
London's Scottish bar and restaurant, Albannach, has launched a whisky club.
Named Aqua Vitae, the club will cost 35 to join (10 for the trade), and will meet monthly to showcase rare vintage casks and special blends and editions. Tickets for events will coast 15 (non-members; 5 for members) with food and drink provided.
Seckford Wine Agencies has added New Zealand's Escarpment range to its portfolio. Escarpment is made by Larry McKenna, former chief winemaker and general manager at Martinborough vineyard. The range consists of a Pinot Gris (RSP 8.99) and a Pinot Noir (RRP 14.99).
Read more...Vincor International officially rejected Constellation brands C$31-per-share offer for the Canadian drinks company last week, leading to a potential war of words after a stinging rebuke from Constellation chairman Richard Sands.
A South African events company is launching a new three-day consumer food and drink show at London's ExCeL centre in June 2006.
Read more...Fine weather greeted the participants at the annual wine-trade regatta, which took place in Seaview on 2 September. Thirteen teams battled it out for the Seaview Bucket, which was eventually won by Justin Waples crewed by Will Gemell and Ian Bailey. The Whittington's Salver for runners-up went to Nigel Clift, Paul Gardiner and Marcus Little.
HwCg has launched a new specialist independent division, headed up by sales director Richard Berrington.
The new division aims to offer exclusive labels from its existing suppliers, as well as wines from new agencies sourced for the portfolio.
Super-premium Polish vodka Belvedere has decided to expand from its style-bar base and into the off-trade.
China is in the middle of a Scotch boom, with sales up 124% in the last six months due to drinkers mixing the whisky with locally produced green tea.
A series of four 15-minute infomercials' will hit the small screen this week, entitled Fine Wine TV, with four different cases on offer.
