News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Ernest Gallo dies aged 97

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ernest Gallo, who created one of the biggest wine empires in the world with the help of his brother Julio, has died aged 97 at his home in Modesto, California.

Huge losses fail to deter Yarraman from acquisition

Published: 23 July, 2008

Margaret River winery Evans & Tate has lost nearly A$80 million (32.2m) in the past 18 months, as it unveiled half-yearly figures that again show a deficit.

Green' distillery for Islay

Published: 23 July, 2008

Islay whisky producer Bruichladdich has announced that it plans to rebuild the Port Charlotte distillery, and make it environmentally friendly.

[i]Harpers[/i] wins BOB pub quiz

Published: 23 July, 2008

Harpers fought off competition from 15 other teams - and displayed its knowledge of Winnie the Pooh, nephritis and The Verve - to triumph at the Buddies of the Benevolent (BOB) pub quiz, which took place at The White Horse in Parsons Green, London, last week.

India keeps tariff reforms at bay

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Indian government has resisted pressure from the EU and World Trade Organisation (WTO) to reform discriminatory tariffs on wines and spirits.

Rioja shipments to UK hit all-time high

Published: 23 July, 2008

Rioja shipments to the UK reached a record high of 22.9 million litres last year, a growth of 19% on 2005.

Bacardi considers bid for V&S

Published: 23 July, 2008

Bacardi, the maker of the world's leading rum brand, has contacted the Swedish government, saying it wants to buy Vin & Sprit (V&S), the owner of Absolut vodka.

Classification row rages in St Emilion

Published: 23 July, 2008

The owner of St Emilion property Grand Corbin-Despagne has slammed the three chteaux in the region that have challenged last year's classification following their demoted status.

Sparkling wine sales set for 26% growth

Published: 23 July, 2008

The UK sparkling wine market is expected to grow faster than that of any other European country according to new research.

Champagne shipments double

Published: 23 July, 2008

A huge jump in December imports for Champagne lifted the UK out of a negative showing for 2006.

Montgolfier accepts UMC president role

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ghislain de Montgolfier, president of Champagne Bollinger, has been appointed as the new president of the Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC). He will take up his position on 15 March, the day of the UMC's annual general assembly.

Premium brand demand shrinking'

Published: 23 July, 2008

Paul Walsh, chief executive of UK spirits company Diageo, has said demand for premium brands is shrinking'.

Tour de France

Published: 23 July, 2008

When: Wednesday 14 March, 10am-5.30pm
Where: The Nursery End Pavilion, Lord's Cricket Ground, London NW8
Contact: Tina Coady on 01638 614 775 or register at www.franceunderoneroof.co.uk

California calling

Published: 23 July, 2008

Venue: Royal Horticultural Halls, London
Date: Tuesday 13 March, 10.30am-5.30pm

The Interview: Jorge Fernandez and Rick Wells, Proprietors, Fernandez and Wells, Soho, London

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jorge Fernandez, a Londoner of Spanish parentage, has spent most of his career conceptualising and running coffee bars. He opened the Caf at Foyles, which his wife now runs, and for several years was the general manager at the Monmouth Coffee Company. Rick Wells was born in Zimbabwe, where he lived until he was 10. He has spent his career to date reporting on Africa for the BBC, and a few years ago, pursuing his passion for wine, he started a small business sourcing and importing wines for friends. A regular Monmouth customer, Wells got to know Fernandez and realised that both dreamed of opening up a shop. Fernandez and Wells, a deli-cum-wine shop focusing on wine, cheese and cured meat from France, Italy and Spain, opened in January, and a new venue specialising in coffee, cake and chocolate will open later this year. Some wines are specially sourced by Wells, others are supplied by John Armit and Enotria .

Third region joins Austria appellation

Published: 23 July, 2008

A new region has joined Austria's growing appellation system as the country moves further to promote its wines by area rather than variety.

What's the attraction?

Published: 23 July, 2008

Can magnets affect the flavour of wine? A MW student stands to in a prize of US$1 million if his dissertation proves that controversial magnetic wine-improving devices actually work as claimed.

Yquem sale makes 775,000

Published: 23 July, 2008

The most extensive collection ever of Chteau d'Yquem has been sold for a record-breaking 775,000.

Malts make the mix

Published: 23 July, 2008

Blended Scotch accounts for around 90% of total Scotch whisky sales, which sounds great, but blends have been experiencing a gentle, sustained decline in the UK. There's a particular lack of understanding and appreciation among younger consumers, who are focused on vodka and its amazing mixability.

Foster's could be takeover target

Published: 23 July, 2008

Only two years after it took over Southcorp, Australia's largest wine producer, Foster's could itself become a takeover target. That is the conclusion of some analysts Down Under following publication of disappointing figures from Australia's leading drinks producer.