News - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wal-Mart reports low outlook, Target misses forecast

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: Wal-Mart Stores Inc yesterday reported September sales at US stores opened at least a year, toward the low end of its outlook.

Tesco plans Autumn Fresh & Easy launch

Published: 23 July, 2008

US: The supermarket plans to open six Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market on November 8.

Diageo GB draws in responsible viewers

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Two in three people watched the drink company's branded national responsible drinking TV advertising campaign.

Diageo GB launches single malt flavour map

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Diageo GB has teamed up with one of the UK's leading drinks experts to de-mystify the whisky category.

Tesco concerned about climate change

Published: 23 July, 2008

Demanding consumers, climate change and globalisation are the three major challenges faced by Tesco over the past year and will be key influences on its future, according to one of its top directors.

Sainsbury's growth down on first quarter

Published: 23 July, 2008

Sainsbury's has reported strong sales growth during the second quarter of its financial year, despite the poor weather over the summer.

Ros Champagne boosts LVMH sales

Published: 23 July, 2008

Luxury goods company, Louis Vuitton Mot Hennessy (LVMH), has announced its wine and spirit sales have risen 9%.

Hotel du Vin to launch pub brand

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) is to roll-out a smaller drinks-led version of its Hotel du Vin brand

Pregnant women can drink one glass of wine a day

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Pregnant women are safe to drink a glass of wine a day, a health watchdog has suggested, contradicting the Government's own official advice.

Bordeaux harvest: day seven

Published: 23 July, 2008

A week of our tracking the 2007 Bordeaux harvest has gone by, and it's a conflicting picture that is emerging.

Despite the rain some of the grapes have raisined, as in 2003 and 2005, making careful sorting vital. Meanwhile, ripening problems from the wet also persist.

It's a new wrap

Published: 23 July, 2008

They say that trends in the wine trade take a long time to be accepted and adopted by the consumer, yet in the case of packaging, alternatives to glass bottles have been with us for more than 30 years.

Industry gears up for Fairtrade fortnight

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: February 2008 will see the 13th Fairtrade Fortnight in action, continuing the theme: Change Today. Choose Fairtrade.

Bordeaux harvest: day six

Published: 23 July, 2008

With the weekend over, some rot is setting in due to high humidity levels, with rain following the heat. Meanwhile, Jean-Christophe Mau still hasn't started picking at Chteau Preuillac.

Bordeaux harvest: day eight

Published: 23 July, 2008

Alexandra Martet and Jean-Christophe Mau give a flavour of the Bordeaux harvest from across their properties in the region: in Entre-Deux-Mers, Pessac-Leognan and the upper reaches of the Medoc (Ch Preuillac). Merlot has come late on the left bank, and acidity is high.

Fewer premises serving underage drinkers

Published: 23 July, 2008

UK: Fewer pubs and off-licences have served alcohol to under-18s than in previous years, new Government figures show.

Constellation to buy Flagstone

Published: 23 July, 2008

Flagstone Winery, the South Africa-based producer run by Bruce Jack, is to be sold to Constellation Europe, it was announced yesterday (Monday).

Bordeaux harvest: day five

Published: 23 July, 2008

The Bordeaux harvest is well underway, and heat kicked in over the weekend, causing fermentation to complete rapidly. Much Cabernet Franc is also picked.

Cork underperforming, say IWSC judges

Published: 23 July, 2008

Judges at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) are three times more likely to demand another sample bottle if entries are sealed under natural cork rather than screwcap.