Bolla Winery sale confirmed

Brown-Forman has confirmed that it has sold the production facility for its popular Italian brand Bolla to Gruppo Italiano Vino (GIV) for an undisclosed sum.

New Oxford Companion

The third edition of the bible' - otherwise known as The Oxford Companion to Wine - was published this week.

Rioja to allow new whites

By Christian Davis
The Rioja Regulatory Council (Consejo Regulador DOCa) is set to allow new white grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo to be grown in Rioja and used in the region's DO white wines.

Biodynamic charter for winemaking launched

by Sarah Ahmed
The Syndicat International des Vignerons en Culture Bio-Dynamique (SIVCBD), a group of 40 biodynamic wine producers from across France, has launched a charter of vinification requirements to augment those governing viticulture. The charter, which is to be published on the SIVCBD's website (www.biodyvin.com), was agreed at the SIVCBD's AGM in January 2006, following two years of discussion.

Project Tikka Masala - a blind tasting to find a Portuguese wine to go with spicy Asian food

by Christian Davis
The former marketing director of the off-licence chain Unwins, and then the Spanish wine producer United Wineries, had a call to arms last month in an attempt to find one of the holy grails of the wine trade - a wine that goes with spicy food.

Coquard targets UK

Maison Coquard - the innovative Beaujolais producer run by Christophe Coquard - is set to embark on a new UK push in partnership with Eddie Mosdell.

Bonny Doon sells big brands

When Randall Grahm, sometimes known as the wizard of Bonny Doon, sold off his Big House and Cardinal Zin brands in late July, he cut the annual production of Bonny Doon winery from over 400,000 cases to barely 40,000 cases. An unusual step in the wine business, when every day seems to bring news of the global conglomerates getting bigger as they gobble up the little guys.

Cowan to leave Lion Nathan

Peter Cowan, the South African managing director of the Lion Nathan Wine Group, has resigned and will leave the business at the end of the year.

Men wanted for WSET 'wine' dating service

A new wine dating service launched by Nicolla Greaves at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has been inundated with interest from lonely women but can't find enough men to meet them.

Spier appoints Cube

South African wine producer Spier has appointed Cube Communications to handle its trade and consumer PR in the UK. The company has given itself the target of becoming one of the top three South African brands in the UK by 2008. It recently secured new listings in Tesco and Waitrose.

Alex Anson and Laura Jewell join WSET

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has added Laura Jewell MW of HwCg and Alex Anson of Thresher Group to
its Awards Supervisory Board (ASB).

White Armagnac recognised

The white eaux-de-vie traditionally produced in the Armagnac region has been awarded its own AOC, known as La Blanche.

On-trade back in growth

The UK on-trade wine market is back in growth after a poor performance in 2005, according to the latest figures released by AC Nielsen.

Montes invests in Napa

Chilean winery Via Montes is investing in a new venture in California's most famous wine region, the Napa Valley.

Brown-Forman wins race for Tequila brand Herradura

by Ron Emler
Brown-Forman, which produces Jack Daniel's and Finlandia vodka, has won the battle to purchase Herradura Tequila, its $876 million offer beating off rival bids from Bacardi and Pernod Ricard.

Chamarr hits the target

By Jack Hibberd
Chamarr - arguably the most ambitious French wine launch in history - is on track to be the biggest French brand in the UK within five years, according to its owners.

Australia - state of the art

Lindemans goes global; Rosemount relaunched

by jack hibberd
It's all happening Down Under. And it's all happening for Foster's. On the same day that the Australian drinks giant announced its full-year results (and rumours circulated that it was an acquisition target) it released its bold plans to revitalise the ailing Rosemount brand and launched a new range that takes Lindemans global.

Codornu appoints Westbury

Leading Cava producer Codornu has appointed PR consultancy Westbury Communications to handle its UK activity.
The campaign, which will comprise media activity and events, will focus on educating consumers about the brand's heritage and its innovative approach to Cava-making.

Aldo Zilli

This a big year for you with the 10th anniversary of Zilli Fish as well as the publication of a new book. Are you doing anything to celebrate?
We've given the restaurant a facelift. It used to be all blue and fishy, so to speak, but now we've gone a bit more contemporary and neutral. We let the food do the talking now, not the design - simple design but very good food and service. After 10 years, it was about time for a facelift. People do it to themselves and restaurants need it too.