MATTHEW JUKES' favourite fizzes include 1996 Alfred Gratien (35; The Wine Society); NV Larmandier-Bernier, Terre de Vertus, Premier Cru, Non-Dos (21.50; Vine Trail); and his Wine of the Week is NV A. Margaine Brut (17; The Flying Corkscrew).
Read more...TIM ATKIN MW got more than he bargained for when visiting the Hunter Valley a few years ago. When his glass of Shiraz was full of sediment, the man at the counter told him: Jeez, I'm sorry mate. That wine's been throwing a deposit recently. I usually run it through my wife's pantihose before we serve it.' Atkin says most red wines benefit from decanting, particularly those made with reductive' varieties like Syrah and Grenache, and that it is akin to opening a window in a stuffy room'.
Read more...The cost of producing wine in Argentina is seven to 10 times cheaper than in France, according to ANTHONY ROSE. But why is the country playing second fiddle to its Andean rival Chile? At the time when Chile made its presence felt in the UK, Argentina was still making oceans of plonk, and old-fashioned oxidised plonk at that. With a fragmented industry of 1,200 wine companies compared with Chile's 200, Argentina lacks economies of scale, and it's only since the mid-1990s that it has come out of its shell.'
Read more...After berating her mother for serving her a G&T with a manky slice of lemon, VICTORIA MOORE recommends 1999 Pewsey Vale The Contours Museum Reserve Riesling (10.99; Oddbins Fine Wine, Roberson's, Philglas & Swiggot, Premier Vintners); 2003 Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc (6.99; Sainsbury's, Waitrose); and 2003 Les Bastions Ros, Ctes de Saint-Mont, Gascony (4.99; Adnams).
Read more...To accompany Chinese food, GILES KIME selects 2004 Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Gris (6.99; Waitrose); 2004 Cono Sur Pinot Noir (4.99; Majestic); and 2003 Via Floriana Chardonnay (3.99, Sainsbury's).
Read more...Wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd (BB&R) has appointed advertising agency Tullo Marshall Warren (TMW) to handle a range of services including brand development for the company.
Read more...UK retail sales fell by 0.4% on a like-for-like basis during June 2008, when compared with the same month last year, latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show.
Read more...In a dramatic bid to boost ailing food-and-drink sales, Marks & Spencer has begun to trial the selling of top food-and-drink brands in 19 of its stores in the north east of England.
Read more...Retailers and consumers are too focused on food miles, the UK's trade and development minister warned, as he announced a major investment in a joint study with South Africa's fruit-and-wine industry to measure the country's carbon footprint.
Read more...Austria needs to extend its reach beyond top-end restaurants and sell its wines in pubs by the glass, claim producers and UK merchants.
Read more...The Central European Distribution Corporation (CEDC) has ceased its investment in Russia's leading vodka producer, the Russian Alcohol Group.
Read more...France will fall behind Spain in the wine production stakes by 2015, according to a new report.
Read more...Malcolm Ball, the Vinopolis chief executive, has joined Wellington Market Company Plc.
Read more...Tesco's 12 Year Old Highland Single Malt has won the Anglo Overseas Trophy for the best malt whisky up to 15 years old at the International Wine and Spirit Competition awards.
Read more...InBev's latest move in its takeover bid for Anheuser-Busch signifies an attempt to gain the company for an under-valued price.
Read more...The Glenglassaugh Distillery Company Ltd has announced its membership of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
Read more...Chilean winemaker Concha y Toro has saved 10,000 on stationery supplies through the help of WSTA (Wine and Spirits Trade Association) Procurement.
Read more...Award-winning sommeliers and international wine judges Ben Stephenson and Mark Dent have opened an independent wine merchants in Manchester.
Read more...Sainsbury's has announced it will be closing its wine website, www.sainsburyswine.co.uk.
Read more...An alcohol enforcement project in Cambridgeshire, operated by leading retailers in conjunction with local police, trading standards officers and schools, is to be rolled out around the country.
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