Unconventional wines from a popular wine region are being introduced to the on-trade via Matthew Clark.
Rare Vineyards comprises a Carignan, Malbec and Pinot Noir, each created using grapes sourced from selected growers in the Languedoc.
"Carignan is usually found as a component in a blend, while Malbec and Pinot Noir are associated with other French wine-producing regions," said Peter Crameri, UK manager for producer Alain Grignon. "We have found parcels of vineyards in the Languedoc producing excellent examples of each of these grapes, and the story of these 'rare vineyards' is told on the front label." [...more]
Recalling the Gallo Pinot fraud of recent weeks, Harpers wine and spirit reports that Scotland Yard has made six arrests in connection with a suspected fine wine investment scam.
Fraud squad officers believe that tens of thousands of pounds have been handed over by investors who were told they were buying premium Australian wines. Reports say the alleged offences had already netted the organisers more than £3 million.
Two women and four men were arrested at addresses in south east London. [...more]
Pernod Ricard UK is launching the campaign this April with television adverts supported by the recent introduction of new packaging across Montana’s Classic and Reserve ranges.
“Montana is committed to continuing to leading development of the New Zealand wine category in 2010. We expect TV advertising to make a million new customers aware of it,” said marketing controller Mathew Bird.
“This marketing campaign will really cement our brand values in the mind of the consumers.” [...more]
E&J Gallo Winery plans to expand its on-trade distribution in the UK this year and its Barefoot brand will be the one to watch, it announced today.
The Californian-based family-owned wine producer restructured its portfolio last year, leaving five core brands for it to focus on in the UK and Europe for 2010: Gallo Family Vineyards, Turning Leaf, Redwood Creek, Carlo Rossi and Barefoot.
"We are looking to expand our route to market and our on-trade presence and we will heavily invest in the on-trade despite difficult market conditions at the moment," said regional sales director UK and Ireland, Mark Tinsley. [...more]
First Cape wine is launching lower-alcohol (5.5% abv) extension of its First Cape brand.
The Café Collection was initially launched three years ago as a 10% abv range, but is being reintroduced in response to research by the supplier which shows a growing demand for lighter, less alcoholic styles from recognised brand names.
Brand owner Brand Phoenix said it had also reduced the Café Collection's alcohol content to give retailers better margins, as less duty paid on lower-gravity wines. [...more]
Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) board of directors has elected a new president.
Bruce Cakebread, CEO of Cakebread Cellars, has been elected to the role. He follows in the footsteps of his father and his brother as board director and takes over from Paula Kornell of Oakville Ranch winery.
Cakebread said: "Now more than ever, the strength of our association is vital to our members' success as we navigate this current, uncertain wine market. Whether it's providing marketing opportunities for wineries to promote their wines or offering them workshops on a variety of subjects, Napa Valley will continue to be a leader based on the unity of our membership." [...more]
Guests and athletes at the German Hospitality House at the Vancouver Olympic Games this month will be toasting any German medal winners with Henkell Trocken.
The sparkling Sekt's producer, market leader Henkell & Söhnlein, has been awarded exclusive pouring rights for fizz at the country's base on the Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre Campus from 11-27 Feb.
Henkell Trocken will also be served at all the German team's international receptions and celebrations in Vancouver and the German Hospitality House's satellite location in Whistler. [...more]
Travel retail concession Motta Internacional has been awarded over 700 square meters of retail space in Bogota airport.
The announcement comes after OPAIN (Operator of the Bogota Airport) decided it was time to enhance the retail environment at the airport and invited various operators to bid for the space. There will be a walk through duty free store with over 555 square meters, after security and immigration, and a second walk through store of 145 square meters located just before the gates. The new spaces will double the retail area in the airport. [...more]
Drinks Americas Holdings has signed a production and distribution agreement with Mexcor International Wine and Spirits, a national an international producer, importer and distributor.
Mexcor has agreed to manage the production, importing and distribution of Drinks Americas portfolio of brands nationally. Brands include Olifant Vodka, Old Whiskey River Bourbon, Trump Vodka. Drinks Americas will continue to focus its efforts on its core business of building a portfolio of brands as well as marketing and promotional strategies. [...more]
Remy Cointreau's Piper Heidsieck champagne is to cut 45 jobs as it moves away from private label business.
This is a quarter of Piper's 160 employees.
Chris Mason, MD of Remy Cointreau's UK distributor First Drinks, told Drinks International: "As far as I'm aware, this is part of the company's evolving new strategy to focus its efforts on the brands Piper and Charles Heidsieck.
"It (Remy Cointreau) had significant business in private label champagne, including airline pouring business. As I understand it, this is where the job losses will occur."
Mason said the jobs [...more]
If I could have any wine I wanted for Valentine's Day, I'd want real Champagne. There's nothing that can compare to that unique toasty taste of the elegant bubbly wine from France's Champagne region.
But let's face it: Even if you're buying at a wine or liquor store - rather than at a restaurant, where the price will at least double - a bottle from a well-known Champagne house will cost about $40. And how many of us are going to spend that much on one bottle of wine?
But even if you're on a budget, you can find some good substitutes. In fact, some of the parent companies of famous Champagne labels - such as Moët & Chandon, Louis Roederer and Piper-Heidsieck - own U.S. wineries that make affordable sparkling wine. These sparklers are made following the Méthode Champenoise or Méthode Tradicionelle, the same process as true Champagne in which the sparkling wine goes through a second fermentation in the bottle in which it's sold.
[...more]
Maule-based winery VIA Wines has appointed Hallgarten Druitt to distribute its Oveja Negra brand. Hallgarten Druitt will take over responsibility for handling on- and off-trade sales within the UK with immediate effect.
Packaging for the Reserva, Single Vineyard, and Lost Barrel ranges has undergone an extensive overhaul by Amphora Design.
The Reserva range reflects Oveja Negra's innovation, featuring unusual new blends such as Sauvignon Blanc with Carmenère. The Single Vineyard range incorporates a Carmenère, Carignan, and a Syrah. The 2008 vintage of Oveja Negra's flagship wine, the Lost Barrel has also just launched. [...more]
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