Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Diageo GB launches single malt flavour map

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Diageo GB has teamed up with one of the UK's leading drinks experts to de-mystify the whisky category.

Sainsbury's growth down on first quarter

Published: 23 July, 2008

Sainsbury's has reported strong sales growth during the second quarter of its financial year, despite the poor weather over the summer.

Ros Champagne boosts LVMH sales

Published: 23 July, 2008

Luxury goods company, Louis Vuitton Mot Hennessy (LVMH), has announced its wine and spirit sales have risen 9%.

Hotel du Vin to launch pub brand

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) is to roll-out a smaller drinks-led version of its Hotel du Vin brand

Pregnant women can drink one glass of wine a day

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Pregnant women are safe to drink a glass of wine a day, a health watchdog has suggested, contradicting the Government's own official advice.

Bordeaux harvest: day seven

Published: 23 July, 2008

A week of our tracking the 2007 Bordeaux harvest has gone by, and it's a conflicting picture that is emerging.

Despite the rain some of the grapes have raisined, as in 2003 and 2005, making careful sorting vital. Meanwhile, ripening problems from the wet also persist.

Industry gears up for Fairtrade fortnight

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: February 2008 will see the 13th Fairtrade Fortnight in action, continuing the theme: Change Today. Choose Fairtrade.

Bordeaux harvest: day six

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the weekend over, some rot is setting in due to high humidity levels, with rain following the heat. Meanwhile, Jean-Christophe Mau still hasn't started picking at Chteau Preuillac.

Bordeaux harvest: day eight

Published: 23 July, 2008

Alexandra Martet and Jean-Christophe Mau give a flavour of the Bordeaux harvest from across their properties in the region: in Entre-Deux-Mers, Pessac-Leognan and the upper reaches of the Medoc (Ch Preuillac). Merlot has come late on the left bank, and acidity is high.

Fewer premises serving underage drinkers

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Fewer pubs and off-licences have served alcohol to under-18s than in previous years, new Government figures show.

Constellation to buy Flagstone

Published: 23 July, 2008

Flagstone Winery, the South Africa-based producer run by Bruce Jack, is to be sold to Constellation Europe, it was announced yesterday (Monday).

Bordeaux harvest: day five

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Bordeaux harvest is well underway, and heat kicked in over the weekend, causing fermentation to complete rapidly. Much Cabernet Franc is also picked.

Cork underperforming, say IWSC judges

Published: 23 July, 2008

Judges at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) are three times more likely to demand another sample bottle if entries are sealed under natural cork rather than screwcap.

Public transport booze ban mooted for New York

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: A New York politician has called for all alcohol advertising on buses and subways to be banned.

Profits dip for Consolidated Brands

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: International drinks industry giant Constellation Brands has seen a fallback in third quarter earnings and sales.

New chief executive for Whyte & Mackay

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ashwin Malik is to be the new chief executive of Scotch whisky producer Whyte & Mackay, following the departure of Bob Brannan and Vivian Imerman, who has accepted an advisory role with the company.

Scotch whisky definition laws tightened

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: The Government is moving to enhance regulations that define regionally-produced Scotch whisky and discourage counterfeiting.

Harpers goes digital to combat postal strike

Published: 23 July, 2008

Harpers has produced a digital issue for the current (October 5) issue to overcome delivery problems in the face of the Royal Mail postal strike.

Sainsbury's to move out of 17-million-a-year HQ

Published: 23 July, 2008

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has announced that it is to move out of its head office in Holborn Circus, London, and relocate to a site in King's Cross.