News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bacardi and Pernod step up rum war

Published: 23 July, 2008

By Ron Emler
The long-running row over who owns the Havana Club brand has reached a new intensity, with Pernod Ricard planning fresh legal action in the US against Bacardi.

Rising alcohol levels - discuss

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the alcohol level of wines on a seemingly inexorable rise - led by the New World, but now increasingly driven by the Old World as well - the International Wine and Spirits Competition decided to hold a debate to discuss the often controversial issues that surround high alcohol. Does high alcohol go hand in hand with high quality? Do consumers like elevated alcohol levels? What are the health issues associated with consuming wines with high alcohol levels? And can a wine of 15% ABV ever be balanced?

Appointments - Who's going where

Published: 23 July, 2008

New marketing director at Maxxium UK
Maxxium UK has appointed Peter Mooney, 37, as marketing director. Mooney, currently international marketing manager for Scottish & Newcastle, replaces former marketing director Huw Pennell, who took on the role of Maxxium UK managing director earlier this year.

SA Shiraz festival

Published: 23 July, 2008

From Persia to Paarl' is the theme of the first-ever South African wine festival devoted to the Shiraz grape.

Small is beautiful

Published: 23 July, 2008

Wine Australia 2006, held in Sydney last month, concentrated on championing smaller producers. Stuart Peskett considers whether the format was a success

New BBC show for Oz Clarke

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oz Clarke is teaming up with Top Gear's James May for a new BBC wine programme to be aired this autumn - Oz & James's Big Wine Adventure.

Riedel issues statement to the press

Published: 23 July, 2008

Stemware maker, Riedel issues statement regarding claims made by Zwiesel Kristallglass about its crystal glass.

Wine In The Name of Peace - the Lebanese/Israeli wine tasting event has been cancelled

Published: 23 July, 2008

The organisers of the Wine In The Name of Peace - a Lebanese/Israeli wine tasting event which was due to take place on Wednesday 16 August at Vinopolis on London's South Bank, have announced that it has been cancelled.

Consumers are the winners with Oz surplus, says ex-Hardy's winemaker

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Christian Davis
With some Australian grape prices a third of what they were just a few years of year's ago, consumers are benefiting from great-quality Australian wines at great prices, according to Stephen Pannell, a former group winemaker with Hardy's.

A new era for Cyprus by Caroline Gilby MW

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Cyprus wine industry has reached a turning point. On the
one hand, EU membership has seen the loss of substantial subsidies for wine exports. This brought to an end the shipments of vast quantities of low-quality bulk wine that had been destined for Sherry-type fortified wines, gluhwein' and other mass markets in the EU. On the other hand, in 2005, Italian archaeologists found evidence that winemaking on the island dates back to 3,500 bc, possibly the longest winemaking history in Europe. Cyprus also claims one of the oldest images of wine drinkers in the 3rd century ad mosaics at Paphos. And Cypriots are proud of their sweet, fortified wine Commandaria, which is the oldest named' wine in the world, dating back to the 12th century and still made in the traditional manner from sun-dried grapes.

Wine Australia praised despite Foster's no-show

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Stuart Peskett
It may have been a smaller event than two years ago, but the overriding reaction to Wine Australia 2006, which took place in Sydney last month, was extremely positive.

Lutterworth opening

Published: 23 July, 2008

Shadow Trade & Industry Minister, Alan Duncan MP, has opened CERT drinks network's new 235,000 sq ft bonded distribution centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, which will act as a national hub for the delivery of drinks across the UK to the multiples, wholesalers and convenience stores.

Tesco looks to educate

Published: 23 July, 2008

Tesco is promising new consumer education initiaves
at this year's Tesco Wine Club Fairs - with improved masterclasses and a new Challenge Your Senses' zone.

Pallanti for President

Published: 23 July, 2008

Marco Pallanti, of the renowned Chianti Classico estate Castello di Ama, has been elected president of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium following a unanimous vote last month.

Bolla to be bought by GIV?

Published: 23 July, 2008

by Nicolas Belfrage MW and Franco Ziliani
One of the biggest names in traditional Italian viniculture, Bolla, may be on its way into the portfolio of the giant Gruppo Italiano Vini (GIV).

Bordeaux seduces the Brits

Published: 23 July, 2008

Ecole du Vin, the Bordeaux-based wine school, will be running two courses in the autumn aimed at British women. Hosted by the CIVB and wine tutor Wendy Narby, the courses will feature lectures on wine and health as well as lunches and tastings, all conducted by women.

Coussins to leave The Portman Group

Published: 23 July, 2008

Jean Coussins is to leave the Portman Group after 10 years at the helm of the industry-funded watchdog and sensible drinking campaign group.

Oddbins to end single-bottle discounts

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oddbins is to end all price promotions on single bottles of table wine from 21 August in favour of reducing prices across its range.

Constellation: the story of a wine scandal'

Published: 23 July, 2008

Constellation Europe made it into the national newspapers for all the wrong reasons late last month after news leaked out that employees of Matthew Clark - Constellation's on-trade distribution arm - were being urged to buy the company's wines while they were being trialled at JD Wetherspoon pubs and claim the cost back on expenses.