News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Growing pains

Published: 23 July, 2008

A quick look at the statistics, and where's the problem? In the UK off-trade, Australia has the number-one spot wrapped up, with a 24% market share by value and 21% by volume.

'Fighting back' - by Jack Hibberd

Published: 23 July, 2008

It has become one of wine's most discussed topics - seminar after seminar, article after article and speech after speech have tried to tackle the subject of why France, still the second-biggest supplier to the UK market, has failed to produce hard' brands that can compete with the New World's branded wine juggernauts.

'In the face of conflict' - by Michael Karam

Published: 23 July, 2008

BEIRUT: In early August, at the height of the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Illi Adato, an Israeli wine-culture promoter, proposed a wine tasting in London at Vinopolis on 16 August.

Diageo shows strength with 7% profit boost

Published: 23 July, 2008

In the run-up to Diageo's annual results, the shares outperformed the London market, but when the figures revealed an 11% rise in pre-tax profits, they dropped by almost 3%, writes Ron Emler.

New chairwoman appointed at SAWIT

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Sarah Ahmed
Dr Thandi Ndlovu, a former non-executive director of Wines of South Africa (WOSA) and a second-term trustee of the South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT), is to succeed Gavin Pieterse (who recently resigned due to conflicts of interest) as chair of SAWIT. SAWIT was created in 1999 and is responsible for facilitating black economic empowermenT(BEE) within the South African wine industry.

Plumpton College

Published: 23 July, 2008

When you think of learning about winemaking you think of Bordeaux, UC Davis in California, Geisenheim in Germany, Roseworthy, South Australia.

Forbes' focus

Published: 23 July, 2008

Until recently it was almost impossible to have a trade discussion about Argentinian wine without the subject of a generic office - or, more precisely, the lack of one - being mentioned.

Tandou to leavethe wine business and sell assets

Published: 23 July, 2008

In another sign that the Australian grape glut is starting to bite harder, Tandou has announced that it will exit the wine business as soon as it can find a buyer for its winery and popular Broken Earth brand. The company said it wanted to concentrate its efforts on fruit growing and cotton farming, which are more profitable.

Bruce Tyrrell awarded AO

Published: 23 July, 2008

Hunter Valley winemaker Bruce Tyrrell has been honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Youngest ever MW

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Institute of Masters of Wine has welcomed seven new members into its ranks, including the youngest-ever Master of Wine (MW) and the first Finnish MW.

Mike Paul joins Match Consultants

Published: 23 July, 2008

The former managing director of Western Wines, Mike Paul, has joined the recently formed HR consultancy and headhunting firm Match Consultants as a non-executive director.

Simon Thorpe goes to Constellation

Published: 23 July, 2008

Simon Thorpe MW has taken the newly created position of vice president, premium wine sales and wine purchasing for Constellation Europe.

Argento relaunches key varietals at higher price

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Argento Wine Company is relaunching its key Argento brand at a higher price point, starting with its two main varietal wines - Chardonnay and Malbec.

'Major win' over duty deferment

Published: 23 July, 2008

The wines and spirits trade has secured a major win' over the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), according to the WSTA's Jeremey Beadles, after the government agreed to make significant changes to the Duty Deferment Guarantee System - which could result in millions of pounds of tied-up capital being released.

Crush Wines picks up Cardeto

Published: 23 July, 2008

Crush Wines has announced its appointment as the UK agent for the Cardeto Winery with immediate effect.

'Rethink Rioja' launched

Published: 23 July, 2008

Rethink Rioja is the name of a new campaign, being launched this month by the Rioja Regulatory Council.

English Wine Festival hit by bad weather

Published: 23 July, 2008

Global warming may be coming and southern England may one day be bedecked with vines, but it was traditional sunshine and showers - with strong winds - last weekend when the English Wine & Regional Food Festival took place in East Sussex.

IWSC and Harpers join forces in new group

Published: 23 July, 2008

Harpers and the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) are to form the basis of a new Wine & Spirit division at business-to-business publishers, Nexus Media Communications, headed up by Allen Gibbons, formerly of Diageo, the largest drinks company in the world.

Kumala launches neck collar promotion

Published: 23 July, 2008

The UK's best-selling South African wine, Kumala, is launching a major off-trade sales promotion, using four million neck collars.

Wines from Spain's on-trade bonanza

Published: 23 July, 2008

Sommeliers for Spain' is a new on-trade initiative launched by Wines from Spain. The generic body has formed an alliance with The Academy of Food and Wine, and will hold a series of tastings for sommeliers, focusing on the best from Spain'.