Question mark over massive Brazilian market

The Brazilian market offers massive potential for domestic and overseas wine producers  – but economic and political pressures could blow growth off course, according to research by Wine Intelligence.

Ribera del Duero and Rueda come together

The two Spanish wine regions have come together to raise awareness of their wines in the all-important US market.

Casillero's Reserva is UK number one Cab Sauv

Casillero del Diablo, the global Chilean wine brand, has announced that its Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva is the best selling Cabernet Sauvignon in the UK off trade*.

Provence produces 1.38m hectoliters

The Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Provence or Vins de Provence has announced the 2014 vintage as 1,385,500 hectolitres across the Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence appellations.

Alcohol price increases have slowed

The WSTA says new research shows that price increases in the off trade have slowed since the Government scrapped the alcohol duty escalator, cut beer duty and froze duty on spirits in 2014.

Prosecco leads Dutch wine drinkers out of the gloom

The Netherlands is emerging from a long economic hiatus, and is slowly dragging the wine market back into positive territory, thanks in no small part to Prosecco.

Skin Côntact LIVE! raised £10,000 for charity

The Skin Côntact concert last Monday (March 9) at Vinopolis in London raised more than £10,000 for charity, the organisers have estimated.

Wines Unearthed

Wines Unearthed is a new feature at this year’s London Wine Fair. It is dedicated to global wine producers seeking UK representation.

The Queen to name ship with English fizz

The Queen will name the new P&O Cruises vessel Britannia in Southampton, on Tuesday (March 10) with English sparkling wine from Wiston Estate.

Anivan announces approved wines

Anivan de France, the organisation responsible for promoting Vin de France wines, has announced that 112 wines have been selected as its ambassador wines for 2015.

Parker gives up en primeurs

Robert Parker, probably the world’s most influential wine critic, has announced that he is giving up tasting and judging Bordeaux en primeur wines.

Sparkling wine drinking is growing in the US

Sparkling wine consumption in the US is growing, according to a new report from Wine Intelligence.

Australian Vintage reports $4.4m profit for half year

Major Australian wine producer, Australian Vintage has announced half year net profits of AUS$4.4 million, up from $4m, for the half year to December 31, 2014.

Cono Sur is the official wine of the UK Tour de France

Vina Cono Sur, the major Chilean wine brand part of the Concha y Toro stable of brands, is the official wine of the Tour de France in the UK in 2015 and for the following two years.

Management changes at Yalumba

The Australian wine producer Yalumba, which claims to be Australia’s oldest family owned winery established in 1849, has announced senior management changes.

Chapel Down expands

Chapel Down Group plc has announced that it has completed two long term land leases increasing the total under lease by 181 acres to 326 acres (73/131 hectares). 

Pennell goes to Edrington

Maxxium UK’s managing director Huw Pennell is leaving to take up a new job at Edrington, one of Maxxium’s shareholders.

Prowein: space the final frontier

The move to new halls will allow fresh ideas and innovation in the wine sector, according to the Prowein organisers.

New second generation Vinexpo

The 2015 Vinexpo is a turning point. It is the second generation, so says the new CEO, Guillaume Deglise.

Ruinart Ateliers deadline extended

The House of Ruinart says the deadline for applications for its Ateliers Ruinart programme 2015 has been extended to Friday January 23.

Thatcher becomes Direct Wines’ group CEO

Direct Wines has announced the appointment of David Thatcher as group chief executive. Simon McMurtrie steps down on January 19.

Casella completes Peter Lehmann acquisition

Casella Family Brands (CFB), producers of the Australian wine brand Yellow Tail, has announced that it has acquired full ownership of Peter Lehmann Wines (PLW).

UK wine sector splits

A two-class wine market is emerging in the UK as some wine drinkers splash out and others are increasingly drawn to hard discounters, according to new research from Wine Intelligence.

Tescos's Jewell takes Wine Australia role

Master of wine Laura Jewell is leaving Tesco to become Wine Australia’s regional director for Europe including the UK following the untimely death of Yvonne May.

Yellow Tail owner to buy Peter Lehmann

Casella Family Brands, producers of the major Australian wine brand Yellow Tail, is set to buy Peter Lehmann Wines.

Spanish wine comes of age

The Spanish wine industry is finally coming of age, according to an experienced observer and operator.

Asia to remain key for long-term growth

Asia remains the key region for the long-term development of the global alcohol market, according to the IWSR’s latest report.

Les Dauphins and BBC Children in Need

Rhône wine brand Les Dauphins is running a social media campaign in aid of the BBC’s Children in Need charity appeal.

Great Wine Capitals’ winners

The Great Wine Capitals' has announced the winners of its 'International Best Of Wine Tourism' awards.

Wosa opens Hong Kong office

Wines of South Africa (Wosa) has opened a third international office, in Hong Kong.

Crowd funding Chapel Down secures £3.95m

Chapel Down, the market leader in English wines and beers, has completed its equity crowdfunding offer in 24 days by raising the maximum allowable amount of £3.95m and achieving a new world record in the process.

AdVini to distribute Patache d’Aux

AdVini and its Bordeaux house, Antoine Moueix, based in Saint Emilion, have signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Domaines Lapalu, owners of the celebrated Médoc Cru Bourgeois, Château Patache d’Aux.

Kingsland collaborates with Brandphoenix

Kingsland, the specialist UK fillers, packers and bulk wine shippers has added FirstCape and Distell to its South African portfolio, as part of a strategic partnership with wine brand builders, Brandphoenix.

South Africa wine boss optimistic

Despite a challenging year Siobhan Thompson, CEO Wines of South Africa (Wosa) is optimistic that South African wines are on the up.

Santa Rita Estates names Lavados as CEO

Santa Rita Estates (SRE) has announced that the new CEO of the group will be Andrés Lavados, who has replaced Silvio Rostagno.

Seifrieds are fellows of New Zealand Winegrowers

Agnes and Hermann Seifried, from Nelson’s Seifried Estate winery, have  beeen inducted as fellows of New Zealand Winegrowers, one of the New Zealand wine industry’s greatest acknowledgements.

Obituary: Wine Australia’s Yvonne May

The wine trade is in mourning after Wine Australia’s UK/Europe Regional Director Yvonne May lost her battle against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and passed away on Friday, aged 53.

Ribera del Duero launches UK marketing campaign

The generic body for the Ribera del Duero wine-producing region of Spain has announced the launch of its first-ever major promotion in the UK.

Bonhams to auction methuselah of Pol Roger 2004

A methuselah of Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2004 - estimated at £5,000-£10,000 - is to be auctioned at Bonhams, London on September 11, in aid of the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation. 

APTRA rolls out responsible training at Singapore Changi

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association has embarked on a new Responsible Retail Training Programme (RRTP) for DFS staff in stores at Singapore Changi airport.

Harvest in Provence has begun

The harvest has begun, and the 2014 crop looks to be impressive in both size and quality, according to the Conseil des Vins de Provence.

Napa Valley Vintners announces earthquake fund

The Napa Valley Vintners has announced it will donate $10 million to create a disaster relief fund to help the immediate needs of local residents and businesses impacted by Sunday’s earthquake.

Americans spend more on wine

More than a quarter of Americans are spending more on wine in the off premise, according to a new report from Wine Intelligence.

Napa Valley earthquake

The damage from the earthquake that took place recently in California’s premium wine producing region, Napa Valley, is variously estimated at between US$500 million and $1 billion.

Air France-KLM CEO to speak at TFWA Cannes

The Tax Free World Association has announced Air France-KLM CEO Alexandre de Juniac will speak at the opening conference of its Cannes exhibition in October.

Treasury Wine Estates is in play

Treasury Wine Estates is the subject of a bidding war, according to reports from Australia.

Concerns expressed over contaminated wine

Recent research reveals that 59% of French wines analysed contained significant quantities of a particular form of phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and only 17% did not contain any detectable quantity of at least one of the reprotoxic phthalates.

Diageo GTME announces two appointments

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East (GTME) managing director Doug Bagley, has announced two senior appointments to his Singapore-based team.

WSET launches second phase of Chinese pilot programme

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) has announced that the first half of 2014 saw the WSET Level 3 award in wines and spirits being run for the first time in Chinese.

Best sparkling wines in the world

The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships has announced its medal results of the 2014 competition.