News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

New WSET chairman of trustees

Published: 23 July, 2008

Julian Brind MW has been appointed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust's chairman of the board of trustees, taking over from Keith Garrard, who held the post for four years.

Family of wine producers completes fundraising tour

Published: 23 July, 2008

The 11 members of Primum Familiae Vini (PFV) recently completed a tour of Singapore and Mumbai, raising more than US$65,000 (33,000) for charities in both countries.

Inter-Rhne manager quits

Published: 23 July, 2008

Franois Drounau, the export manager of generic body Inter-Rhne, is leaving the organisation to work for Pernod Ricard.

Taking the next step

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the annual trade tastings approaching, we gathered the key UK players in the Australian wine industry to discuss where the category is going

WHERE: Lawrence Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls, London SW1
WHEN: Wednesday, 31 January 2007 from 10am-4.30pm and Thursday, 1 February 2007 from 9.30am-5pm
CONTACT: Melissa Worthington at Wine Australia on 020 7887 5259

News analysis: Victoria is not amused

Published: 23 July, 2008

It's hardly something to boast about, but the state of Victoria is Australia's phylloxera capital.

Limited-edition drams

Published: 23 July, 2008

Proud Scots Ranald Macdonald of the celebrated Boisdale restaurants in London and Berry Bros & Rudd spirits buyer Doug McIvor have developed a new range of malt whiskies.

50 years young at Hine

Published: 23 July, 2008

Hine is releasing its 1957 vintage - a Jarnac-matured Grande Champagne Cognac. Only five casks were laid down to mature, and director and cellarmaster Bernard Hine describes the 1957 vintage as an exceptional year, with a perfect balance between floral and fruit hints'.

Research reveals price variation in restaurants

Published: 23 July, 2008

Research commissioned by Wine+, the new on-trade wine show, and undertaken by Wine Intelligence in more than 20 white table-cloth restaurants in London has revealed gross variations in wine prices in restaurants.

Changes at Jackson Wine Estates International

Published: 23 July, 2008

In response to Jackson Wine Estates International's recent appointment of J E Fells & Sons as its UK agent, James Tookey, formerly in charge of European sales, has been appointed UK Sales Manager, and will manage the relationship with Fells.

Italians stuck with five million bottles over name debate

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Nicolas Belfrage MW & Franco Ziliani

Readers of these pages will recall how a few months ago we reported that the EU Commission had ruled that no member nation could use the name Tokay', or soundalikes, for wine except the Hungarians, giving several years' notice before putting the ruling into effect.

Moves at Laurent-Perrier UK

Published: 23 July, 2008

Laurent-Perrier has appointed Steve Brandwood to the newly created position of UK sales director, responsible for sales of Laurent-Perrier, Marqus de Riscal, Trinity Hill and Thorn-Clark to all UK trade sectors.

Laurent-Perrier stolen

Published: 23 July, 2008

A lorry containing duo-packs of Laurent-Perrier Brut NV Champagne was stolen on 2 January from a haulier in east London.

Familia Zuccardi wins top award

Published: 23 July, 2008

Argentine wine producer and exporter Familia Zuccardi has been awarded the Best Winery Award in the annual Agricultural Excellence Awards given by the national newspapers La Nacion and Galicia Bank.

The Interview: Richard Walton-Allen, Head Chef, Harvey Nichols, Leeds

Published: 23 July, 2008

Harvey Nichols' first store outside London was opened in the historic Victoria Quarter of Leeds in 1996. The store has five floors with a stylish 85-cover caf and bar on the fourth floor. Three days a week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it is open for dinner until 10pm. Close to the dining area is the wine shop run by Michael Dilworth. He and head chef Richard Walton-Allen work closely together on the restaurant's wine list, which is taken from the group's master list and compiled by Harvey Nick's overall head wine buyer, Rob Graves. Richard, a 36-year-old Yorkshireman, was part of the opening brigade at Sir Terence Conran's huge 300-cover Quaglino's restaurant in London's St James's. He also worked at the esoteric Swedish restaurant Anna's Place in north London and in Melbourne, Australia. He has been head chef at Harvey Nichols in Leeds for eight years.
Major drinks suppliers: Playford Ros, Bibendum, Percy Fox, Enotria, Cellar Trends, Coe Vintners

Hugh Johnson awarded OBE

Published: 23 July, 2008

Author and wine writer Hugh Johnson has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

Rmy chief denies sale rumour

Published: 23 July, 2008

Dominique Hriard-Dubreuil, the chairman of Rmy Cointreau, has sought to reduce speculation that the French spirits and Champagne company might be sold.

Renewed zeal

Published: 23 July, 2008

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

Published: 23 July, 2008

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.

Height of fame

Published: 23 July, 2008

Grapes grown at altitude taste different. As you go higher, temperatures drop and the fruit is exposed to more ultraviolet (UV) light. Higher UV leads to higher levels of anthocyanins (and therefore darker-coloured wines) as well as enhanced production of protective compounds - most notably the phytoalexin resveratrol.