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Wine industry must promote responsible drinking

Published:  24 June, 2009

The wine industry must pull together and promote responsible drinking against the growing global backlash against excessive alcohol consumption, delegates were warned at Vinexpo.
Speaking at the Individual roles and shared responsibility seminar, Robert Beynat, Vinexpo commissioner general, described the health lobbying groups as the "medical Taliban" against the industry but urged delegates not to ignore them.
Robert Madelin, European Commission director general, health and consumers, added: "Wine is unique in its aspects of culture and identity but it is still a commercial product.
"44% of our member-state public authorities want some kind of action to be taken against increased binge drinking. Alcohol is one of the top 10 killers in Europe today," he said.
A Eurobarometer survey carried out by the EC in 2007 across its member states found that 76% of citizens would approve of banning alcohol advertising targeting young people, 50% would buy less alcohol if price went up by 25% and 77% wanted warnings put on alcohol bottles and warnings against drinking and driving and for pregnant women, he said.
Madelin, however, praised the UK iindustry for its approach to tackling binge drinking. He told Harpers: "There is still a degree of mistrust in the UK but at least the industry is
able to work with health bodies to debate the issues surrounding alcohol. The Drinkaware Trust is a good example."
Madelin added that he was confident the UK alcohol industry would make the necessary changes and not the Government, which will only go as far as reacting to public opinion.
"Take advertising of junk food to children. Consumers pressured the industry and it was the industry that decided to curb its advertising to children," he said.
He said that supermarket attitudes were changing because the issues of selling alcohol below cost were "just too hot to handle."
But warned the hospitality industry would take more time due to its fragmented nature and the economic pressures that have led to more promotions such as 2 for 1 and happy hours.
"Change here will come at a local level via Magistrates controlling alcohol licenses," he said.

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Roederer Champagne shipment stolen

Published:  24 June, 2009

An entire shipment of Louis Roederer Champagne has been stolen after a lorry bound for the Cert Octavian warehouse in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire was diverted to another location, where it was unloaded by thieves.

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Industry stalwart 'Champagne' Teddy Davis dies

Published:  24 June, 2009

Teddy Davis, employee of Champagne Taittinger with Hatch Mansfield has died peacefully in his sleep, aged 85.

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Trophies awarded to 122 IWC wines

Published:  24 June, 2009

A record 122 wines have been awarded Trophy status at this year's International Wine Challenge.

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Big ambition for Effen after Beam sale

Published:  24 June, 2009

The Dutch vodka brand Effen is being lined up for a major export drive after being bought by Beam Global.

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Bacardi's David to be new Grant boss

Published:  23 June, 2009

Bacardi global marketing chief Stella David is to leave the company to become the new chief executive of Scotch producer William Grant.

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Wines in the Press - June 19 - 21

Published:  23 June, 2009

What the critics had to say this weekend

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New Aussie wine chief appointed

Published:  22 June, 2009

Andrew Cheesman has been named as the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation's new chief executive.

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Spanish exports eclipse France

Published:  22 June, 2009

Spain has overtaken France as the number two exporter of wines in volume terms, according to figures from the International Organization of Vine & Wine (OIV).

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Rosé sparklings are star of new products at Vinexpo

Published:  21 June, 2009

Rosé sparkling wines and lower sugar Champagnes are some of the many new product launches expected to take centre stage at this week's 15th Vinexpo exhibition that opened in Bordeaux on Sunday, June 21.

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Vinexpo opens with record numbers

Published:  21 June, 2009


A record number of countries have descended on Bordeaux this week for the 15th Vinexpo exhibition, which was officially opened by the French Agricultural and Fisheries minister, Michel Barnier, on Sunday, June 21.

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London's first distillery for 189 years

Published:  19 June, 2009

A new barley Vodka and London dry Gin is to be launched in the first new London copper-pot distillery for 189 years.

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Blason de Bourgogne relaunches with first ad campaign

Published:  18 June, 2009


HwCg is re-launching its Blason de Bourgogne brand under the slogan "We Are Blason" with a new look, more premium varieties and a major consumer advertising campaign.

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Chang Beer's new carry-out pack rolled out to Oddbins

Published:  18 June, 2009

Chang, the award-winning beer from Thailand, is being rolled out in a new 6-bottle carry-out pack that will be available in all 138 Oddbins stores across the UK.

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Bourbon gets help in US Congress

Published:  18 June, 2009

Two Kentucky members of the US Congress have formed a caucus group to represent the interests of the Bourbon industry.

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English wine flourishes

Published:  17 June, 2009

English wine production is thriving with a 45% increase in vine planting over a four-year period, according to the latest figures.

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£3.65m marketing drive for Smirnoff flavours

Published:  17 June, 2009

Diageo GB has announced it plans to drive sales of its new Smirnoff flavoured vodkas with a £3.65m marketing campaign.

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London's under-age drinking is on the rise

Published:  17 June, 2009

London's 11-15 year olds are causing serious concern after a new report reveals they are drinking the equivalent of 180,000 bottles of lager every week.

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Fresh crackdown on binge-drinking teens

Published:  17 June, 2009

UK towns and cities blighted by summer teenage binge drinking are to share in a £1.4m government cash pot to clamp down on the problem.

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Burgundy in UK 'catastrophe'

Published:  17 June, 2009

Burgundy is facing a "catastrophe" in the UK market, according to BIVB president Pierre-Henry Gagey.

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