Special delivery: SITT?2007

Are you being served?

Forty-two per cent of wines on restaurant wine lists are priced at more than 50 a bottle, according to research unveiled by Wine Intelligence (WI) at the inaugural Wine+ exhibition two weeks ago.

Kiwi producers proud of diverse climate

New Zealand's unique climatic conditions may protect its wine industry from the threat of global warming, a leading producer said at the country's annual trade tasting last week.

Renewed zeal

WHERE: Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London NW1
WHEN: Monday, 15 January 2007 from 11am-5pm and Tuesday, 16 January 2007 from 10am-5pm
CONTACT: Alison Power at New Zealand Winegrowers on 020 7973 8079

Full speed ahead

In the UK wine market, where suppliers have been lashed by flat sales - and some countries have started to sink, New Zealand continues to ride a wave of success. But sea changes are already underway for 2007, as the States look set to overtake the UK as New Zealand's primary export destination - despite the Kiwis sending more wine to Britain than ever before.

WOW celebrates Christmas

The Women of Wine (WoW) Christmas party was held at the Met Hennessy HQ in London's Mayfair last month.

New Zealand Winegrowers elect new chairman

Stuart Smith, a grape grower and winery owner in Marlborough, has been elected chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW), the national trade body. Smith will represent the industry in dealings with government and media for a one-year term. The position complements his role as chair of the national grape growers council.

Wonderful world of Oz (Clarke)

Oz Clarke is one of the best-known names in the wine trade.

New on-trade sales boss at Enotria

Enotria Winecellars has appointed Simon Treanor as its new on-trade sales director.

Waitrose backs New World

Waitrose is giving the New World a boost with a New World Wine Showcase to be held in all branches from 4 to 24 September.

The Interview - Kevin Howell, Thresher franchisee, Thresher shop, Hythe, Kent

Kevin Howell has been in the licensed trade just about all his 44 years. His parents ran the White Hart, one of major pubs in Hythe High Street in Kent. After studying at Portsmouth College, he went to work in a Peter Dominic off-licence in nearby Bearsted in Kent. He then moved to the Thresher shop in Hythe, 17 years ago. Kevin is the second person to switch from manager to fracnhisee under the new Thresher franchisee scheme. He is also vice-chairman of the local chamber of commerce.

Ian Dunkerley, chef/proprietor, Dunkerleys

How did you get started?
I was born in Ashford (Kent) but then
we moved to Cyprus, because my father worked with the army. He became ill and died, so we returned initially to Deal but then moved to Ashford. It was full of London overspill so it was a tough environment. To keep out of trouble, I did two paper rounds, worked in a sweet shop and in a fish and chip shop - I used to have a barrow at Ashford station and served Bill Deedes (the Conservative MP and former editor of the Daily Telegraph).

6-7 category up 27%

The 6 to 7 price band is booming in the UK's multiple grocers - with sales by volume up 27% in the last year.

Katy HulstoneManager, The Elephant

What made you set up shop in Torquay?
Simon, my husband and the head chef, went to school round here, and his family live in Paignton, the town next door, so we know the area. People have this image of Torquay, but it's not like Fawlty Towers any more.

Delegat's wins Oyster Bay battle

Delegat's has finally secured control of fellow New Zealand winery Oyster Bay Marlborough vineyards after a protracted takeover battle.
Delegat's had to almost double its original takeover offer of NZ$3.10 to NZ$6 a share, with the takeover taking around nine months from offer to completion. Delegat's owned 33% of Oyster Bay prior to its takeover offer and became embroiled in a bidding war with fellow shareholder Peter Yeatlands for control of the company.
Delegat's is New Zealand's third-largest producer and is fully owned by the Delegat family. The company is now expected to list on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, with an estimated value of around NZ$220m-375m.
The Delegat family is expected to sell down its holding to 65%.

Extra special

Arthur Rackham Emporia (table 40)
Arthur Rackham Emporia is a second-generation wine merchant based in Guildford, with a wine-and-spirit-agency business complementing the traditional wine merchant. Over the past 10 years, it has been awarded The International Wine & Spirit Competition Trophy twice: first for the outstanding quality' of its wine and spirit list, the only time this trophy has been awarded, and in 2004 as European Spirit Buyer of the Year.

Screwcap initiative goes global

The New Zealand Screwcap Initiative has decided to encompass the world and form the International Screwcap Initiative (ISI).
Chablis producer Michel Laroche, who, controversially, bottled some of his grand cru wines under screwcap, has been enlisted as European representative of the ISI, while Lorraine Carrigan has been appointed ISI coordinator.

Happy anniversary

Time and place
New Zealand Annual Trade Tasting 2006
Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW1
Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 January
10am-5pm
Contact Alison Power at New Zealand Winegrowers
020 7973 8079

Event info
This year's tasting will feature a selection of gold medal-winning wines from the Air New Zealand Wine awards, while central varietal tables will focus on aromatics, red blends and Syrahs. On Tuesday 17 at 3.30pm, a seminar titled New Zealand Syrah - New World Fruit and Old World Structure', looking at viticultural and vinicultural influences and Hawkes Bay's dominance with Syrah, will be held in the Lord's Media Centre. Speakers include Steve Smith of Craggy Range, Kate Ormond of Te Mata, Anna-Barbara Helliwell of Unison, and Ronan Sayburn, executive head sommelier at Gordon Ramsay restaurants in London. Call Alison Power on the above number to reserve your seat.

Escarpment joins Seckford

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).

Going Deutsch

I think UK consumers are absolutely ready for German wines. In fact, they already prefer them - they just don't know it yet.' With these bold words, Nicky Forrest of Phipps PR puts the
case for a Teutonic revival. Phipps was appointed UK agent for the German Wine Institute in 1998, and Nicky has been directly involved ever since. Yet, given a history of year-on-year decline and margins cut to the bone, as well as the level of ingrained prejudice among consumers and the trade, she and her company face one hell of a challenge.