Waitrose buyers invite customers on trips

Waitrose wine buyers plan to take consumers on organised wine and gourmet tours in an attempt to educate them about their wine range.

Arniston Bay and Welmoed to unveil brand extensions

After the announcement of the distribution partnership with Percy Fox & Co, the company of wine people are to unveil a series of range extensions and new vintages of its core brands Arniston Bay and Welmoed.

NZ exports hit $1 billion target

New Zealand's wine producers have reached a $1 billion target for exports - a year ahead of schedule according to industry body New Zealand Winegrowers.

On-trade range for New Zealand's Ara

New Zealand producer Winegrowers of Ara has produced a new range for the on-trade.

Wines in the press - September 11-13

Guardian

For a taste of "summer and winter in a single gulp", Victoria Moore suggests Pineau des Charentes, because "it has the combination of fresh harvest fruit and throat-burning Cognac".

£30,000 worth of wine stolen from Wimbledon warehouse

Around £30,000 worth of South African wine has been stolen from a warehouse in Wimbledon, owned by South African Wines Online.

Diageo tests mid-strength Guinness

Diageo is testing a mid-strength version of Guinness in 13 bars in Fife and Edinburgh.

Britons - the biggest searchers of wine online

New research reveals that British online users are the most avid wine enthusiasts in Europe, with wine accounting for 31% of all online searches across food and drink products.

Three Vines launches into 50cl bottles

Pernod Ricard UK is to champion 50cl bottle sizes for wine with the launch of its Jacob's Creek Three Vines range in the format.

Correction: Wine Australia story 4 September

Due to a subbing error in Harpers Wine and Spirit issue on September 4, issue No 15, it was printed that '40% was the top figure given for fall in Wine Australia's revenue'.

The inaccuracy was printed in a sub-heading in the news story ' Wine Australia: budget on track, and implies that Wine Australia's funding could fall by up to 40% this year.

WSET announce highest ever number of diploma graduates

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust WSET, has announced the highest number of diploma graduates in its 40 year history.

First Drinks takes on Tia Maria

First Drinks has announced the UK distribution rights for Tia Maria following Illva Saronno's acquisition of the premium brand from Pernod Ricard.

Pernod Ricard's profits up 13%

Pernod Ricard has revealed annual profits up 13%, but has forecast a tough year ahead.

Maxxium's new £1,800 Cognac

Maxxium UK is launching a new luxury Cognac, L'Essence de Courvoisier, aimed at connoisseurs which retails at £1,800 a bottle.

Romain Henry is Sud de France' sommelier of the year

Romain Henry has won the inaugural Sud de France UK Sommelier of the Year competition to reward the sommelier with the best knowledge of Languedoc-Roussillon wines.

Gerard Basset to compete for World's best sommelier

Gerard Basset MW, owner of Hotel TerraVina in Hampshire, has been selected to represent the UK in the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) World's Best Sommelier Competition, being held on April 10-16, 2010 in Chile.

Louis Roederer wine writers' awards announced

This year's winners of the 2009 Louis Roederer International Wine Writers' Awards were announced at a ceremony last night at London's The Gherkin venue. The winners included:

What to expect at Boutique Bar show

Ahead of next week's Boutique Bar show, organiser Andrew Scutts sets out what to expect:

New foundation spirits course from WSET

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust is introducing a new Foundation Certificate in Spirits.

Bowmore launches Tempest